Individuals injured in slip and fall accidents should thoroughly document their injuries and the impact they have made on their lives. Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of injuries in the United States. As with all injuries, the courts require solid evidence that establishes the fault of the negligent parties.
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Gathering Evidence
Evidence collection should start immediately following a slip and fall accident. This includes taking photographs of the site as well as photos of the injury. If witnesses such as bystanders or employees are present, their names and contact information should be recorded so they can be contacted to provide testimony later on. When gathering this information, it is crucial to request the full names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses of witnesses.
Individuals should preserve this evidence along with any communications received from those responsible for the maintenance of the property, and any police or EMT reports that were filed. Combined, these forms of evidence establish a solid case that plaintiff’s and their slip and fall attorneys can present to the court.
Eyewitness Statements & Reports
Eyewitness statements are invaluable. They can establish that the slip and fall accident did in fact occur and they can verify that there were clear and present dangers that they were alerted to by the individual’s fall. They can also verify the response of employees, business owners, and property owners.
Employee statements are equally important. These can establish what steps were (or were not) taken to correct the potential risk. Employees can verify whether managers or business owners were aware of the problem and chose not to correct the deficiency.
Businesses and law enforcement will create reports following an accident. Injured parties should request copies of these reports for their files. These should be combined with insurance records as they can establish that the victim was present, that the incident occurred, and that the proper steps were taken to notify the business or property owner.
Preserving Evidence
It is advisable to keep several copies of any documentation collected. One copy should be kept by the individual’s attorney. At a minimum, one copy should be stored in a safe deposit box, and one copy should be kept at home for quick reference. This evidence should be organized and each copy should be updated as medical reports, receipts, testimony etc., are created.
