Posted in Slip and Fall on February 10, 2020
Taking a spill while you’re out and about can be scary, and sometimes, even a bit embarrassing. It’s not rare for someone to want to forget the incident happened all together, and to simply move on with their day. However, ignoring that a fall happened can cause a number of key issues. These can include letting the responsible party escape accountability, and more, that others may find themselves in the same position as you.
With that in mind, there are a few specific things you’ll want to remember when a fall happens, especially when considering if you want to report the incident at all.
One of the most important outcomes of reporting a fall is that, with attention being drawn to the catalyst, the situation will most likely be addressed. For example, if you fell at the grocery store because a floor was wet and there was no sign to warn you, reporting the incident may help the establishment to change its policies and ensure that no one else is hurt in the process.
After a fall happens, most people just want to forget that it ever happened. They want to move on and continue with their day, albeit with a few extra bumps and bruises. The problem is that it’s not rare for injuries to get much worse later, and for people to feel them after the fact, even when they didn’t know they existed at the time of the incident. This may happen the next day, or even a couple of days from the time of the fall. The point is that, if the initial fall isn’t reported, the ability to get potential medical expenses or fair compensation becomes much more difficult.
Whether it’s due to a wet floor, debris from remodeling a store, a crack in the floor, or a number of other factors, many people tend to blame themselves when a slip occurs. “I should have been paying more attention,” or “I should have watched where I was going more closely” are both common sentiments after a fall takes place. But the truth is, these injuries are often avoidable if a sufficient level of attention is paid and communication takes place. While it may be automatic to want to blame yourself, reporting an injury can keep others from going through the same pain you’ve felt, as well as help a business to better maintain their space.
Even if you think your fall isn’t a big deal, by consulting with an attorney, you’ll ensure that you’re aware of all of your options, and that you’re going through the proper channels to make sure you don’t unknowingly waive any of your rights. Although a fall may not automatically be due to negligence, it always helps to meet with an expert in the law. They can guide you towards decisions that will help you pay for any medical expenses, if needed, and to protect yourself if any of your symptoms should worsen.
When a fall happens, it’s incredibly important to know all of your options. Before simply walking away and forgetting that an incident happened, remember that reporting it, and even consulting with a lawyer that specializes in injury law, may not only help you— it could potentially help hundreds of other people from finding themselves in the same situation.
