What To Do After a Slip-and-Fall in Springfield

You slipped and fell on someone else’s property, suffered severe injuries, and are now wondering what to do next. It’s a sadly familiar situation in Springfield, and many people don’t realize that their actions after a fall can make or break a potential slip-and-fall injury claim. Here’s how you protect your rights once you’ve sought medical attention after a slip-and-fall:

Report the Accident to the Property Owner

Tell the property owner, store manager, or supervisor about the accident right away. Ask them to create an incident report, and request a copy for your records. A written report establishes a clear record of when and where the accident happened.

Save Your Medical Records and Receipts

If you haven’t already, see a doctor and tell them about all your injuries. After seeking medical treatment, keep every medical record, bill, and receipt, including costs for medication, physical therapy, and transportation. These documents provide evidence of your injury’s financial impact.

Start a Daily Injury Journal

A detailed journal helps show how the injury affects your life, which can help you recover compensation for a slip-and-fall accident’s intangible effects. Write down your symptoms, pain levels, and any limits you face in daily activities.

Don’t Discuss the Accident or Your Injuries

Avoid talking about the accident with friends, coworkers, or on social media. An insurance company can take your comments out of context and use them to weaken your case. Keep the details between you, your doctors, and your lawyer.

Don’t Talk to Any Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly and ask for statements. They may sound friendly, but their goal is to protect their interests, not yours. Do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with a lawyer.

Contact a Springfield Slip-and-Fall Attorney

A Springfield lawyer familiar with slip-and-fall cases can evaluate your situation and explain your options. Legal guidance can help you pursue fair compensation for your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

What Do You Need To Prove in a Slip-and-Fall Claim?

To win a slip-and-fall claim, you must show that the property owner acted carelessly and that their negligence caused your injury. This means proving the hazard existed long enough that the owner should have fixed it, or that the owner’s negligence created the danger and they failed to warn you. You also need to connect your injuries directly to the accident.

Winning these cases requires strong evidence, which could include:

• Photos or video of the accident scene
• Medical records linking your injuries to the fall
• Witness statements describing what happened
• Incident reports prepared at the property
• Records of prior complaints about the same hazard

Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Common hazards that cause slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
• Spilled food or drinks in grocery stores or restaurants
• Loose rugs or torn carpeting in walkways
• Uneven sidewalks, cracked pavement, or potholes
• Clutter or debris left in aisles or hallways
• Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, or entryways
• Snow, ice, or slush that has not been cleared from walkways
• Broken or missing handrails on stairs or ramps

Deadline To File a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit in Springfield

In Illinois, you usually have two years from a slip-and-fall to file a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner or another liable party. Missing this deadline will likely mean the courts will dismiss your case. However, it’s in your interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, as evidence can fade if your attorney doesn’t preserve it.

Contact Our Springfield, IL, Slip-and-Fall Lawyers for Legal Help

Holley, Rosen & Beard, LLC, has over 50 years of combined experience and a proven record in high-stakes personal injury cases. We handle all the legal work so you can focus on healing, and you don’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.