Nobody thinks they’ll be involved in an accident like a slip and fall, but the reality is that these types of accidents occur every day in Chicago, often in places you’d least expect. Slip and fall accidents often result in injuries, and when the accident wasn’t your fault, you should pursue a claim against the at-fault party.
Tips for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim
Every slip and fall case is different. Negligence on the part of the property owner or store manager means that they may have failed in their duty of care. These are some of the steps you should follow to pursue a claim to recover the damages.
Get a Report of the Accident
If your slip and fall accident occurred at a Chicago business, be sure to ask for a copy of the incident report. Most businesses will have procedures in place for recording accidents that happened on the property. Be sure to ask for a copy, or at least take a picture, of the written report for your own records.
Seek Medical Attention
One of the most common mistakes in slip and fall accidents is failing to seek medical attention. The main reason you should see a doctor right away is for your health and well-being, but there are other reasons as well. Having a record of your injuries will serve as a critical piece of evidence and can help calculate your damages in a slip and fall claim. The nature of slip and fall injuries can vary from minor to severe and life-threatening, so never hesitate to see a doctor as soon as possible after the slip and fall accident.
Document Everything
Before you even begin the claims process, you should gather documentation of anything that might be relevant to your case: hospital bills, receipts for medications, and medical records are all factual representations of the costs associated with the damages from the accident. Additionally, you can gather other information that could help your case such as witness statements, photos of the location of the accident, and video surveillance footage.
Don’t Wait
The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall injury claim in Illinois is two years. That may seem like plenty of time, but when it comes to filing a claim, it’s important to start the process as soon as possible. Complications from your injuries or everyday life can get in the way and, before you know it, your time to file a claim may be up. On top of that, you want your recollection of the event to be fresh and accurate to lend more credibility to your claim and keep the facts straight.
If you’re severely injured or want guidance on filing a lawsuit or insurance claim, you should consider contacting an Illinois slip and fall attorney who can help you through the process. Saperstein Law Group, P.C. specializes in premises liability cases in the Chicago area. We are prepared to put our skills, knowledge, and experience to use in your Chicago slip and fall case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of the Saperstein Law Group team.