What Type of Evidence Should I Gather for a Slip and Fall Claim?
Personal injuries caused by a property owner’s inability to maintain their premises properly are known as slip and fall injuries. You may be entitled to compensation when you are seriously injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property. However, you will need to present evidence to show that the property owner was negligent.
You should start gathering evidence as soon as possible following your slip and fall, and it must be dependable and solid enough to back up your claim. Sweeney Merrigan Law’s skilled personal injury attorneys can assist you in gathering the evidence you need to initiate a lawsuit. Contact us online or call (617) 391-9001 for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you develop your personal injury case.
Types of Evidence Used in Slip and Fall Claims
As the victim, it is the responsibility of you and your personal injury attorney to provide evidence that proves your injuries. This ranges from evidence gathered at the accident scene to proof of your injuries, such as medical statements. Below is some detailed information about common pieces of evidence used in a slip and call claim:
Testimony From Eyewitnesses
Witnesses to your slip and fall can provide valuable details that corroborate your story. Because your employer will have their own account of the events, it is best to have access to neutral witnesses whose accounts can serve as valuable evidence. Speak to anyone who witnessed your accident and ask for their name and contact information in case you need to talk to them later for their testimony.
A Copy of the Premises’s Incident Reports
In many businesses, it is part of their policy to write a report anytime someone is injured. You may have even been asked to fill out an incident report requesting information about the accident, such as what happened and if you were injured. If your slip and fall occurred in a business, store, or restaurant, you might be able to ask a supervisor or manager for a copy of your report for your own records.
Video From Surveillance Devices
Many people and businesses have security cameras or other surveillance devices on site. These devices may have captured the incident. If you can obtain a copy of the video recording, you may be able to use it to strengthen your claim. Look around for any nearby cameras that may have recorded your accident and try to get a copy of the footage.
Photos of the Accident Scene
Photos of the scene of the accident can give others a better understanding of how your accident occurred and prove that the property owner was not properly maintaining their premises. You should take photos of the area clearly showing whatever caused your slip and fall. Make sure you do this quickly afterward before the scene is cleaned up or otherwise taken care of and the evidence is gone.
Medical Records Related to Your Injuries
Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should seek medical attention soon after your slip and fall. Your injuries could be more severe than you think. Also, by seeking medical attention, you are creating a tangible record of the severity of your injuries. You can use copies of your medical reports to prove the severity of your injuries and invoices to keep track of the medical expenses you have incurred because of your accident.
A Detailed Record of Your Losses
In addition to your medical records, keeping a detailed record of your daily losses and experiences following your slip and fall accident is beneficial. You should keep track of paperwork that proves losses like travel costs, times you’ve missed work, and your daily pain and suffering. This record will aid in developing your slip and fall claim and can be used to calculate the value of your claim.
Experienced Lawyers Can Help You Build a Strong Slip and Fall Claim
In personal injury cases, plaintiffs bear the burden of proof, meaning they must produce evidence supporting their claims. Without proof, the court is unlikely to grant you an award for your claim, which is why it is so important to seek the assistance of a lawyer who can help you gather compelling evidence.
Reach out to a personal injury attorney from Sweeney Merrigan Law. Our staff includes legal professionals like Attorney Matthieu J. Parenteau, a Boston personal injury lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping people injured by the negligence of others and has recovered millions of dollars in resolutions for his clients. Our attorneys can assist you in gathering the evidence you need for a successful suit. You can call our office today at (617) 391-9001 or send us a request to schedule your free consultation.