Even in beautiful Woodland Hills, California, a slip and fall has the potential to turn into a serious accident. In some cases, a trip and fall can be so serious that it can ruin your life. If you’ve suffered from a slip and fall, read these tips to learn how you can protect your potential claim and keep your accident from turning your life upside down.
Document Your Slip and Fall
The documentation process may be different depending on if your slip and fall happened at a retail store or restaurant in Woodland Hills, whether you were on the job, visiting city-owned property, or you were visiting a friend or family member. However, regardless of where the accident took place, it is important to document exactly what happened. Additionally, if you’re injured in an establishment that is open to customers, make sure that management knows. They will complete an accident report (you should ask for a copy) and they can also help protect others from whatever caused your accident.
Regardless of whether you’re on private or public property, call the police. The police will write up an informational report. Get the report number. You can pull a copy of the report in a few days. If you can, take photos of the hazard that caused your accident. Also, seek prompt medical care and get documentation of your treatment. If you don’t document your slip and fall, you could hurt your claim.
Get Medical Attention After Your Slip and Fall
Medical attention is important. Some injuries, such as a broken bone or being unable to move from a back injury, are obvious. Yet, you can be hurt in a slip and fall and not realize it. When we’re in an accident of any kind, our bodies release adrenaline. We have less pain. Additionally, some injuries can get worse if they aren’t treated. This includes internal injuries and closed head injuries. If you don’t get medical treatment, your injuries may go from bad to worse.
Don’t Sign Anything
If a store owner, an insurance company, or an attorney contacts you and asks you to sign something because of your slip and fall, do not sign it without first talking to an experienced slip and fall attorney. You could be signing away your right to sue or you could get less than what your claim is worth.
For more information on what to do after you are injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident in Woodland Hills, contact accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
