It happens to nearly everyone: tripping and falling. Although most of us can shake it off as just another embarrassing moment, for many a trip and fall can be life-threatening or even deadly. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, there are over 1 million visits to the hospital emergency room each year because of trip and fall injuries. Trip and fall injuries can be particularly hazardous for older people and are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Trip and falls can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Poorly lit areas
- Wet or uneven surfaces
- Weather conditions,
- Nursing home neglect
- Improper training on the job
- Faulty footwear
So, what should you do if you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a trip and fall? The process of filing a personal injury claim can often feel overwhelming. Because of the complicated nature of personal injury cases, it’s best to have a “best practices” list when you are trying to file a claim.
Here are a few things you need to know when filing a trip and fall claim.
FILE A POLICE REPORT
After you have sustained a trip and fall injury, the first thing that you need to do is seek medical attention. Although you might not think that your injuries are life-threatening, it’s best to get thoroughly checked over to ensure you haven’t incurred any internal injuries.
If your injuries require hospitalization or immediate treatment, it’s a good idea to have someone file a police report on your behalf. Filing a police report ensures that you have accurate records of what happened during and after the trip and fall accident.
KEEP RECORDS OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INJURY
One of the easiest ways to stay organized throughout the claim filing process is to save all records of costs that are associated with the trip and fall injury. Any medical bills, payment records, prescription records, and any other receipts will be necessary to prove that you have incurred costs due to the injury.
WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU CAN REMEMBER ABOUT THE ACCIDENT
While it’s still fresh in your mind, record everything you can about the injury. You’ll want to write down where you were, what time it was, who was around, what the circumstances were that led to your trip, and recall what exact treatments you received.
Have you or a family member been injured in a trip and fall accident in Georgia? You don’t have to go through it alone. Call the Fry Law firm at (404) 948-3571, an experienced legal team, to help you file a personal injury claim.
