If you slip or trip and fall on someone else’s property, you should first determine if you are injured.  If there is any doubt, go get yourself checked out by a medical professional.  Sometimes an injury, even a broken bone, is not immediately apparent.  If you initially think you are not hurt after a fall, but start to have problems later, get them checked out. That ache or pain may be nothing or it may not be related to your fall, but if it is waiting to get treatment will make your recovery longer and your case harder to prove.

You should report a fall as soon as possible to the owner or operator of the property where you fall.  If you are injured, it may be the quickest way to get medical treatment.  You should report falls even if you do not think you are injured at the time.  Making the report will put the property owner on notice of the dangerous condition and hopefully get it corrected.

Be aware, however, that once you fall and are injured, you become the adversary of the property owner or operator.  Any employees you deal with may be and probably are genuinely concerned about your welfare.  They also have to be concerned for their employer and their jobs.  Anything you say (or do) can and will be used against you in a court of law.  If you are in immediate need of treatment, that should be your first priority.  Report your fall, but tell whomever you report to that you will give details later, or someone you trust can make the report for you.

Your report should include the date and time (as precisely as you can recall) that you fell.  Also report where you fell, what caused you to fall and the names and addresses of any witnesses.  It is also important to report the lighting, weather conditions, any hidden hazards or anything else that played a part in your fall. If you do not know what caused you to fall, you are going to have a difficult time successfully pursuing a claim for you injuries.  Even if there is no one to report to, it is important to write down what transpired in a timely fashion, so you don’t forget. Note the following:

• A description of the fall, what caused it, and if there was no indication of a present danger.
• The date, time and location of the fall.
• A list of witnesses and their statements confirming what had happened at the time of the accident.
• If possible, take photos of the occurrence and of the location at the time it occurred.
• If you are physically hurt, have medical treatment immediately in order to substantiate your claim for a slip and fall lawsuit.

Not all slip and fall accidents are due to the negligence of the property owner, but every owner has an obligation to keep his property reasonably safe. To recover, you must be able to prove how the property owner failed to act carefully to prevent the accident. If you fell and were injured because of a defect or hazard on someone else’s property, call a lawyer to find out what your rights are.