What Kinds of Evidence Might Strengthen My Slip and Fall Claim?
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting damages. Securing a payout, however, is not automatic.
Before you can pursue a settlement or verdict in your favor, you must present sufficient evidence of both liability and damages. While the strongest evidence that will contribute to your claim will depend on the circumstances, it will likely include some combination of the following:
1. Official Reports
If you were hurt at a place of business, like a grocery store or hotel, the manager on duty should have drafted an incident report. And if first responders were called to the scene, they may have drafted a report, as well. While such documents will not serve as irrefutable evidence of fault, they will provide a starting point for a more comprehensive investigation.
2. Eyewitness Deposition
Did anyone witness the accident in which you were hurt? If so, their statements could help strengthen your claim.
Personal injury attorneys encourage accident victims to obtain the names and phone numbers of those who saw them get hurt before everyone leaves the scene. If you failed to do so, don’t worry; your legal team may still be able to locate critical eyewitnesses through other means.
3. Photographs or Video Footage of the Scene
Photos of the hazard that caused you to slip and fall—or surveillance footage of the accident in question—could prove integral to your claim. If you have any images from the scene, give them to your lawyer for safekeeping. As for obtaining video footage of the incident, it’s important to act fast because the owner of any such footage is not obligated to retain it indefinitely.
4. Documentation of Damages
When it comes to successful slip and fall claims, proving liability is just half the equation. After demonstrating how the owner or occupier failed to maintain the premises to a reasonably safe standard, you’ll have to show that his or her negligence caused you actual damages.
As such, you should save all documentation regarding your medical care. This includes diagnostic images, nursing logs, and prescriptions.
You should also save all bills, receipts, and invoices that correspond to the economic losses you incur as a result of your injuries. Examples of such losses include hospital bills, lost wages, and replacement services.
Finally, start a daily journal, and use it to record the ways in which your injuries are affecting your everyday life. These entries will help demonstrate the extent of your non-economic damages, like emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, and pain and suffering.
Call (727) 821-1500 for a Free Consultation with a Premises Liability Attorney
If you were seriously hurt on someone else’s property, contact Emerson Straw PL. We’ve won numerous six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
By letting us handle all the logistics of your claim, you can focus on more important matters, like making a full recovery and taking care of your family. Call (727) 821-1500 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free consultation with a premises liability lawyer.