How to Make a Slip and Fall Injury Claim in Indiana

The primary priorities to making any personal injury claim is to seek medical attention, gather and protect your evidence, hire an experienced personal injury attorney, and take the correct legal actions, all from the moments your accident occurs. When it comes to slip, trip, and fall claims, these priorities are no different.

Continue reading to learn how you should manage and navigate a slip and fall injury and accident claim in Indiana.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents

The first few actions (or non-actions) made by a slip and fall victim can mean all the difference in terms of establishing fault and liability. It is important to take the right legal actions from the very moments a slip and fall accident takes place in order to protect your claim and ultimately win your settlement for compensation. Below, you will find some information and advice regarding what a slip and fall victim (or claimant representing a victim) should do to move forward with a personal injury claim.

► Immediately Report the Incident

The first step after slipping and falling on public or private property is to notify the owners or persons in charge. For commercial properties, such as retail stores or restaurants, ask for the highest ranking person on duty and report the accident.  Just be brief by simply stating where you fell, which obstruction caused the fall (torn carpet, uneven floorboard, wire or cord, puddle, ice, poor lighting, etc.), and where you are hurting. For public grounds, like parks and city streets, notify the town or city the same day, both by phone call and written notification. If the injury is too severe, notify the city or town as soon as your health permits. This is especially important for accidents that take place without any witnesses.

IMPORTANT: If your slip and fall injuries are severe and require emergency medical attention, make this step the first priority. Once stable, you can move forward with the remainder of the accident claim process. You can also appoint a spouse, relative, or friend to help you report the incident and gather evidence.

► Ask for Witness Information

The next step in moving forward with a personal injury claim, which may need to be carried out by a trusted friend or family member depending on the severity of your injury, is to get all the contact information from anyone that may have witnessed the accident. Be sure to record their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If they are willing to give additional contact information, take that as well. Keep in mind that witness testimony plays a major role in winning a personal injury settlement.

► Gather Evidence

Your next step is to take and gather photos and video recordings. Again, this might have to be done by a friend or family member depending on the severity of your injuries. Photos and video (if possible) should be taken as soon as possible after the accident. All footage should be taken at multiple angles, and should capture the hazardous environment or obstruction, the condition of the victim, the victim’s injury and the condition of the injury in the days following the accident.

All these photos and videos must be done BEFORE any changes to the environment occur or any evidence is lost (i.e. melting snow or ice, missing lightbulb, puddle, spilled food, etc.). The more evidence you have, the stronger your chances are for obtaining a full and fair settlement to cover your damages.  Ask whoever is in charge to retain any video surveillance of the fall and if you can do the request in writing, do so.  Normally, you should request the person to retain any video surveillance for the entire day of your fall.

► Seek Medical Care

A person should seek medical treatment the same day, or as soon as they are experiencing pain or complications from the accident. Sometimes injuries are not present right away, and tend to show up days or weeks following the accident. This is common for neck and back injuries. Insurance companies will argue that a person wasn’t seriously injured enough to receive compensation if they didn’t require immediate professional medical care. Medical treatment is evidence that a slip and fall victim is injured and the doctor’s diagnosis and victim’s medical records are evidence for a case.

► Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Before talking to any insurance companies or adjusters, it is vital to hire a personal injury lawyer first. It is crucial to have an experienced slip and fall lawyer on your side during the entire personal injury claims process. 

Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers You Can Trust

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Get started on your slip and fall claim by calling the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although based out of Indy, our law firm represents victims throughout the state, as well as, out-of-state victims who are injured in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never require any upfront lawyer fees. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Who is At-Fault in a Slip and Fall Accident?

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen every single day. Whether it’s a torn rug, puddle of water, or unforeseen obstacle that causes the fall, someone is liable for the injuries that follow. The at-fault party could be the victim themselves, or it can be another person, company, property owner, or manager. In the case that the at-fault party is something or someone other than the fallen victim, a legal claim can be placed against them for liability for damages caused by the accident. In order to determine who at-fault for a slip is and fall accident, certain questions must be asked, and the circumstance must be investigated.

Continue reading to learn some more about how to determine who is at-fault for a slip, trip, and fall accident.

Liability and Reasonable Action

Who is liable for a victims’ injuries if they slip and fall on another’s premises? In order for the property owner to be liable, it must be true that:

• The owner, manager, or employee caused the obstacle that resulted in a person’s fall.

• The owner, manager, or employee know about the obstacle and neglected to eliminate it.

• The owner, manager, or employee should have known about the obstacle because a reasonable person in charge of the property would have found the obstacle and removed it before anyone was hurt.

Other considerations regarding a property owner’s possible liability includes:

• Was the obstacle there long enough that the owner, manager, or employee should have known about it and fixed it?

• Does the property owner have a routine agenda or procedure for inspecting the property for safety hazards? Do they have evidence or proof of regular property maintenance and upkeep?

• Was the obstacle that caused the slip and fall intentionally placed there for a good reason?

• Was the obstacle that caused the slip and fall intentionally placed there for a good reason at first, but the reason no longer exists and could have been removed?

• Could the obstacle in question been placed in a different area, out of the way of foot traffic, without further inconveniencing the property owner?

• Could a warning sign or barricade have prevented the obstacle from causing the accident?

Considerations to assess a victim’s own liability includes:

• Did a person’s behavior contribute to their own accident? Were they running, jumping, rough-housing, or horse playing?

• Did the victim fail to acknowledge warning signs or requests?

• Could the victim have acted more carefully?

• Would a reasonable or careful person have noticed the hazard and navigated more cautiously around or through it?

• Did the victim have a legitimate reason for being in the hazardous area? Was the reason one that the property owner should have anticipated?

The term, “should have” is very blurry one to use. This is why slip and fall accident claims are frequently examined by a jury and judge, and at-fault parties are determined by using common sense. There are several more details, laws, methods, and information not listed in this blog that are important to know and understand before moving forward with a slip and fall injury lawsuit. It is strongly encouraged to consult an Indianapolis slip and fall attorney for professional and accurate information and counsel. They retain the proper resources, knowledge, and experience to assess your case and determine if you have a valid claim. If a personal injury lawyer does in fact believe you have a valid case, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for slip and fall accident claims and information in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed slip and fall lawyers and legal teams are eager and ready to represent you after sustaining injuries from a slip, trip, or fall. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we reach a fair settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with Daniel Craven, or another licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today.