Trips, slips and falls happen all the time. While some slip-and-fall incidents can leave you with nothing more than embarrassment and dirt on your outfit, others can turn your life upside down. If you are hurt in a slip-and-fall accident that is clearly attributable to someone else’s negligence, you may file a premises liability lawsuit to recover the resulting damages.
However, to boost your odds of getting the compensation you deserve, it is important that you take certain steps immediately following the slip-and-fall incident. Here are some of these steps:
Inform the property owner about the slip-and-fall accident
It is important that you file a report letting the property owner or manager know that you’ve had a slip-and-fall accident while on their premises. The property owner should then make a formal incident report. This is crucial for two reasons: firstly, the property owner will rely on the incident report to fix the hazard in question and prevent future accidents. And, this will be proof that your injury did indeed happen within their premises. Be sure to obtain a copy of the incident report.
Seek treatment
A slip-and-fall accident can leave you with a variety of injuries. While some like twisted ankles and broken bones may be immediately noticeable, others like internal injuries may take longer to detect. Seeking treatment immediately ensures that you are examined and treated in time for hidden injuries that can potentially be catastrophic if left undetected and attended to. It also ensures that you obtain a medical report that clearly links your injuries to the slip-and-fall incident. And this is crucial for proving your case.
File a claim
Most premises liability claims are settled out of court. However, if you are unable to reach a settlement with the property owner, then you need to take the matter to court. In this case, you will need to file your premises liability lawsuit within the statute of limitations period. In New Jersey, you have up to two years from the date of the slip-and-fall incident to file a premises liability claim against the property owner.
Property owners have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for their visitors and customers. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing a premises liability lawsuit.
