According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older. Every year, more than 25% of older adults fall and sustain an injury. Injuries from falls can range from a minor cuts, bruises and sprained ankles or to a severe hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries.

When you sustain a fall on someone else’s property, the property owner may be liable for your injuries and any accident-related losses. This is because the property owner may have failed to keep their property safe and free of hazards or to warn of any known dangerous hazardous situations. The most common locations for slip (or trip) and fall accidents are retail stores, restaurants, hotels/motels, theaters, stadium/areas, private houses, workplaces, and retirement homes.

Property owners, whether private or public, are required to maintain liability insurance on their property. Liability insurance protects the property owners and business against property damage and personal/bodily injury claims so that they do not have to come out of pocket when facing a lawsuit. Any compensation you receive comes from the insurance company, not the private owner of the property or business. This may help when an injury is sustained on a neighbor or friend’s property or business and you are uncertain you want to make a claim.

When you are injured in a fall accident on someone else’s property, you can get caught up in the moment and become overwhelmed with your injuries. You may not think about steps you need to take to preserve the evidence of the scene. Here at Curtis Legal Services, we suggest the following tips to take if you find yourself in this situation:

  1. Seek Medical Attention: Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some properties have medical teams on the premises. If not, call emergency services. Certain injuries don’t show up for hours and some worsen over time, so it is best to get evaluated at the time of your fall so you can get a detailed history of your injuries.
  2. Report Your Accident: It is important to let the property owner know of the fall and how it happened. Give a detailed, accurate account of what happened and provided only facts. This allows the property owner to be aware of the incident and also prompts them to contact their insurance company.
  3. Document the Scene: Try to take pictures or video of the scene of the fall. Include things such as floor conditions, trip hazards, weather, lighting, and any other pertinent conditions that may have led to the fall. This is important because the property owner can quickly fix or change the scene after an accident to erase any proof of liability. Also preserve any shoes and clothing you were wearing. Do not wash your clothes or clean your shoes. There may be evidence on them. Lastly, get witness information such as name and contact information.
  4. Keep All Records: Start a file that contains all of your bills and medical information relating to the fall and your injuries. Keep track of time away from work or missed jobs. Also document pain and suffering and any events you miss because of your injury.
  5. Do What the Doctor Says: If you sustain injuries you’re your fall and seek medical treatment, make sure you follow the doctor’s orders to the fullest extent. In order get the most out of your injury claim, you want to be able to show that you did everything ask of you including filling prescriptions, taking medication as directed, following-up with doctors, and any rehab or lifestyle change as directed.
  6. Seek Help from an Experience Attorney: If you have been injured on someone else’s property because of their negligence, you need an attorney to help you. You need Curtis Legal Services. Property owners have liability insurance to cover accidents that occur on their property. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost and future wages, and any other expenses.

Have you or someone you know suffered injuries due to a fall on someone else’s property? Give Curtis Legal Services a call at 606-324-5435 and let our skilled team review your case for FREE. We have over 30 years of experience in evaluating the liability of property owners. We will review your case and explain your legal options. Here at Curtis Legal Services, we are committed to helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve.