After slipping and falling on someone else’s property in Illinois, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. However, taking specific steps can help you maximize your financial recovery in a slip-and-fall claim in Illinois. Things you should do to give yourself the best chance of obtaining money for all your losses include:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
One of the first things you should do after a slip and fall accident includes obtaining prompt medical attention, either by calling 911 at the accident scene if you’ve suffered severe injuries or by going to the hospital, urgent care clinic, or doctor’s office as soon as possible after the accident. Seeking immediate medical attention can help document your injuries right after the accident, strengthening the causal link between the accident and your injuries. That way, an at-fault party may have more difficulty arguing that your injuries arose from another accident or preexisting condition. Furthermore, delaying treatment risks letting your injuries worsen, which can prolong treatment or make it more expensive, and harm the credibility of your allegations regarding the severity of your injuries.
Report the Accident
Furthermore, you should immediately report a slip and fall accident to a property owner, business manager, or employee to ensure that the property or business owner knows about the accident. When you have a slip and fall accident at a business, the staff may write an accident or incident report. Ask for a copy of the report and also request that the staff preserve a copy of any surveillance footage of the accident or the area surrounding where you fell.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including whatever you believe caused you to slip and fall, any visual obstructions, lighting conditions, and the weather (if relevant). Preserve or take photos of your shoes and clothing, in case those become an issue in your slip-and-fall claim. Finally, gather contact information from any eyewitnesses who may have relevant information.
Avoid Giving Statements without Legal Advice
When speaking to a property owner or business staff about the accident, avoid statements that may sound like an admission of fault or offering an apology. You should also decline to give a recorded statement without first consulting an attorney. A business or insurance company may use statements you give without legal advice to undermine your claim by taking things you said out of context to argue that you bear the blame for the accident. When an insurer contacts you about the slip and fall accident, you can refer them to your attorney if you’ve secured legal representation.
Keep Records
Save copies of any relevant documents, such as medical records of your treatment and rehabilitation, bills, invoices, receipts, and pay stubs or income statements. These records can help document your injuries, the treatment you’ve undergone, and the financial losses you’ve incurred due to medical expenses and lost income. Your medical records can also help support your claims regarding the severity of your injuries, enabling you to recover compensation for pain and suffering, as well as lost quality of life.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Finally, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get legal advice and representation as you pursue an injury claim against a property or business owner.
When you’ve gotten hurt in a slip and fall accident in Illinois, having experienced legal representation can improve your chances of maximizing your compensation. Contact Saperstein Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a slip and fall accident lawyer to discuss your options for seeking a financial recovery from a negligent property or business owner.