personal injury lawyer
Anyone who has slipped and fallen can probably account for just how painful these accidents can be. The injuries associated with a slip and fall can result in an expensive trip to the emergency room. There may be situations where another person or entity had contributed to the accident occurring at all.
If this rings true for you or a loved on, you can rely on the knowledge of an attorney for representation. If you have any questions about how to take legal action against the party responsible, please call a law firm right away.
What to Do After the Fall
If you fell and suffered injuries, it is recommended that you get medical attention. Some people may be too embarrassed to call for help after taking a tumble. However, accidents that involve falls are no laughing matter, as the person may walk away with some serious injuries that need medical care. A fall because of poor lighting can cause a concussion, spinal injuries, nerve damage, fractures, soft tissue injuries, torn knee ligaments, and more.
Filing a Report
If you walk out of the property without filing a report, you may be risking your opportunity to have injuries covered by the person responsible. For example, if you tripped due to lights being out in an area of the retail store, notify the manager on duty right away about what happened. Request that you complete an incident report, along with a copy just for your records.
Additionally, gather as much proof as you can including photographs of what you tripped over or stepped on, the lighting above, any shadows that were cast at your feet or other variables that may have resulted in your tumble. While filing a report can be tedious and time-consuming, it is a crucial step to keeping yourself protected.
Witness Statements
An attorney is likely to suggest that you obtain witness statements from those who saw you fall. These could be people you knew who were browsing products along with you, or other shoppers. Witness statements can be influential in your lawsuit, because otherwise, it may just be your word against theirs. Keep in mind that statements from strangers who have no connection to you other than having seen the accident, can have more weight in your lawsuit. This is because the court understands that friends and family are probably going to support your side of the story no matter what, so there is always a chance of bias. With a stranger, bias is less likely to occur.
If you are ready to receive a legal consultation, call a firm to book your free initial session with a personal injury lawyer in Charlottesville, VA. They believe that the party responsible should be held accountable for being negligent or careless when it came to proper lighting.
Contact MarinWren, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and bad lighting that can lead to slip and fall accidents.