Some people mistakenly assume that every slip-and-fall incident leads to financial compensation if a person gets hurt. Individuals who fall at businesses do sometimes have grounds to file insurance claims or civil lawsuits.
However, the situation must meet certain basic standards to warrant financial compensation. Typically, the injured individual has to establish that negligence contributed to the situation. Other reasonable people need to agree that the business did something unsafe or failed to do something necessary for customer safety. The injured visitor needs evidence about the slip-and-fall if they intend to hold the business accountable for their medical expenses, property damage losses and lost wages.
How can those involved in a slip-and-fall prove that the business where they fell is at fault for the incident?
Documenting the scene
Most of the time, a serious slip-and-fall is the result of unsafe premises. Numerous factors could contribute to someone losing their traction and falling. Maybe another customer spilled something, and workers failed to clean up or put a warning sign out to advise people of the hazard. Maybe the rugs by the front door were loose and became a tripping hazard. Using a mobile phone to take pictures of what caused someone to trip or slip and then fall can help them show that the business was negligent about maintaining its facilities.
Seeing a doctor promptly
Obtaining compensation for a slip-and-fall requires proof of losses. In some cases, there may be property damage expenses. Most of the time, however, the main expenses involve injuries. People who get hurt in a slip-and-fall might need to see a doctor for X-rays and bone setting. They may have brain injuries that require that they take time off of work. They typically need to see a doctor as soon as possible so that there is a clear connection between the slip-and-fall incident and their medical challenges.
Those who follow the right procedures may have an easier time pursuing compensation when they get hurt at a store. Filing a successful premises liability claim after a slip-and-fall can help people pay their bills and recoup their lost wages.