Steps To Take After a Slip and Fall

What to Do After a Slip and Fall

Knowing what to do after a slip and fall accident can protect your health and legal rights. Some people take a “wait and see” approach if they have no apparent injuries. However, that is a risky choice. Although slip and fall accidents might seem minor, they can cause serious injuries. Taking immediate action after a slip and fall is the best way to get the medical care you need and pursue the compensation you deserve.

At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., we have recovered over $180 million in compensation for clients throughout New York. When you come to us for help, we can explain your steps after a slip and fall injury. What you do and say can significantly impact your health and ability to pursue meaningful compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation with a New York slip-and-fall accident lawyer.

7 Crucial Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident

After a slip and fall accident, most people want to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and pretend the fall never happened. That’s the exact opposite of what you should do in this situation. Your immediate actions after a slip and fall can affect the outcome of any future injury claim.

Here’s what you should do to protect your health and legal rights after a slip and fall.

• Seek medical attention — Never minimize a slip and fall accident’s impact on your health and safety. A medical professional can assess your injuries, suggest treatment options, and document your condition. Your medical records can provide vital evidence if you file a personal injury claim. If you fail to seek medical attention, the insurance company might diminish the value of your claim or deny it altogether.
• Report the accident immediately — If you suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident, report it immediately. Ask to speak to a manager if the accident occurred at a store or business. Most businesses will ask you to complete a written report about the incident. Be honest and accurate. Also, please request a copy of the report for your records. If the accident occurs elsewhere, ask to speak with the property owner, landlord, or other person overseeing the property so you can tell them what happened.
• Watch what you say after the accident — Choose your words carefully when you describe the slip and fall to others. Keep your statements short and factual. Do not apologize or post about the incident on social media. Also, you should refuse to give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company until you consult an experienced NYC slip and fall attorney. Insurers can use your words against you to diminish the value of your claim.
• Get witness contact information — If witnesses saw the slip and fall occur, ask them for their contact information, including their names, phone numbers, and addresses. If you can, ask them to provide short statements about the incident. Witness accounts can strengthen your legal claim and establish liability for the accident, especially if managers or property owners attempt to downplay what happened.
• Document the accident scene — Document where the slip and fall happened as thoroughly as possible. Take photographs or videos of the location where the fall occurred, hazards that might have contributed to the accident, and any visible injuries you suffered. Look for any cameras or surveillance equipment at the scene that may also have footage of the incident. Your attorney can request copies of video from these devices later on.
• Keep all evidence — Besides the photographs and videos you capture at the scene, you should preserve any other evidence that could establish how the accident occurred. Set aside the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the slip and fall accident. Do not wash or otherwise alter these items. Talk to a slip-and-fall attorney about accessing nearby camera footage. Securing this footage might take legal intervention before it is lost or destroyed.
• Seek legal advice — Handling a slip and fall claim can be challenging, especially when recovering from painful injuries. You should consult an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer immediately. An attorney can help immediately by gathering evidence and managing communication between you, the property owner, and their insurance provider. People who work with lawyers can recover more compensation than those trying to negotiate alone with insurance companies.

What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Falls in New York City?

Slip and fall accidents are not uncommon in New York City. People slip, fall, and get hurt in stores, sidewalks, apartment buildings, and subway stations. Many falls happen because property owners or managers do not fix hazards or warn people about them.

The following are some common causes of slip and fall accidents in New York City:

• Uneven sidewalks — Cracked or raised sections of sidewalks make walking unsafe. Tree roots, weather damage, and poor maintenance often cause these hazards.
• Snow and ice buildup — Property owners must clear snow and ice within a set time after a storm. If they do not, people can slip and fall.
• Wet or slippery floors — Spills, leaks, or recently mopped floors can make surfaces dangerous. Visitors can get hurt if property owners fail to place warning signs or clean up spills quickly.
• Poor lighting — Dim or broken lights in hallways, stairwells, and parking garages make it hard to see hazards. Without enough light, people might not notice wet floors or objects in their path.
• Loose or broken flooring — Landlords and business owners must repair flooring problems to prevent accidents. Torn carpets, loose tiles, and broken floorboards can create tripping hazards.
• Cluttered walkways — Boxes, cords, and other objects left in hallways or store aisles increase the risk of falls. Businesses must keep these pathways clear to prevent injuries.
• Broken or missing handrails — Stairways can be dangerous when the railings are loose, missing, or poorly maintained. People rely on handrails for balance. Without them, they can lose their footing.
• Potholes and street defects — Holes and cracks in streets or parking lots cause people to fall. Property owners or local governments are usually responsible for fixing these hazards.
• Leaks and plumbing issues — Water from leaky pipes, air conditioners, or refrigerators can create slick surfaces. Owners must repair plumbing problems and clean up excess water to prevent falls.
• Entryway mats and rugs—Loose or bunched-up rugs can catch people’s feet and cause falls. Businesses should secure mats properly, especially near entrances, where floors become slippery.

What Types of Injuries Can Happen in a New York City Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and fall accidents cause a wide range of injuries. The way someone falls, the surface they land on, and their overall health affect the severity of their injuries.

The following injuries often result from slip-and-fall accidents:

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Knee injuries
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Herniated discs
• Whiplash
• Facial and dental injuries
• Contusions and lacerations
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis.

What Should You NOT Do after a Slip and Fall Accident in NYC?

After a slip-and-fall accident, it’s common to feel embarrassed, shocked, or unsure of what to do next. Many people try to brush off their injuries and unintentionally make mistakes that can hurt their chances of pursuing compensation. Taking the proper steps after an accident is essential, but avoiding the wrong ones matters just as much.

Below are common mistakes to avoid after a slip and fall in NYC.

• Leaving the scene without reporting the fall — Some people go without telling anyone about their slip and fall. They assume their injuries are minor or do not want to cause trouble. Later, they might realize they are seriously hurt, but by then, there is no record of what happened. Reporting the fall to a manager, landlord, or property owner creates documentation that can support your legal claim.
• Failing to take photos or gather evidence — Many people forget to take pictures of the hazards that caused their falls. Conditions change quickly, especially in busy places like stores or sidewalks. A spill might get cleaned up, a broken tile can get repaired, or snow buildup could melt. Proving what caused your fall becomes much more difficult without photos or witness statements.
• Delaying medical treatment — Some people do not see their doctors immediately because they think their injuries are too minor. Adrenaline can mask pain in the immediate aftermath of an injury, and some injuries take time to show symptoms. Waiting too long to get medical care makes it easier for insurance companies to argue that your injury was not that serious or that something else caused it.
• Admitting fault or downplaying the fall — After falling, some people apologize or say they are fine, even if they are hurt. They might feel embarrassed or worried about causing a scene. However, property owners can use their statements against them later. If a property owner’s insurance company learns that you said you were clumsy or not paying attention, they might use that statement to deny your claim.
• Signing documents without legal advice — Property owners, businesses, or insurance companies might ask you to sign an incident report or settlement offer after a fall. Some people sign without reading carefully or understanding their rights. These documents can limit your ability to seek compensation. Before signing anything, you should speak with a lawyer to protect your legal options.
• Posting about the accident on social media — Many people share personal updates online without considering how they might affect a legal claim. A simple post saying you feel OK or a picture of you out with friends could prove that you are not seriously injured. Insurance companies look for any reason to dispute claims, so it is best to stay off social media.
• Forgoing follow-up medical care — Many people see a doctor once but do not follow up on treatment. They skip physical therapy, ignore lingering pain, or stop taking prescribed medication. Gaps in your medical records can make it easier for insurance companies to argue that your injuries were not serious. Consistent adherence to treatment plans can help you demonstrate the true impact of your injuries.
• Waiting too long to take legal action — New York has deadlines for filing slip and fall claims. If you wait too long, you could lose the right to seek compensation. Some delay because they think their injuries will heal or assume they can file later. Acting quickly can help you preserve evidence, strengthen your case, and avoid missing deadlines.

How Can a Slip and Fall Attorney Help You?

When you work with an experienced personal injury attorney, the attorney will act as your advocate and work hard to help you recover maximum compensation for your financial losses. At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., our legal team is committed to offering exceptional service and responsive legal assistance.

We can help you navigate a slip-and-fall claim by:

• Thoroughly investigating the cause of the slip and fall accident.
• Identifying all potentially liable parties.
• Collecting and preserving helpful evidence.
• Estimating the fair value for your claim.
• Managing communication with the insurance company.
• Negotiating aggressively for full and fair compensation.
• Preparing your case for trial (if necessary).

The sooner you seek legal representation, the stronger your slip and fall injury claim will be. Although a manager or property owner might seem sympathetic to your predicament, most companies are more concerned with their bottom line and will offer you only minimal compensation. You can discuss your situation with a knowledgeable New York slip and fall injury attorney to learn more about your rights and how much your case is worth.

Contact a New York City Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Were you hurt in a slip and fall at an unsafe property in New York? Protect yourself now by contacting a skilled New York City slip-and-fall accident lawyer. At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., we can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries so that you can focus on healing.

Since 1998, we have helped people like you move forward with their lives after devastating injuries. We deliver personalized, top-quality legal services for every client we represent. Call or contact us online today for a free consultation with an experienced slip-and-fall injury lawyer.