Free Guide
A bad fall is embarrassing and painful at the same time, and people often brush it off. Then the bruise turns out to be a fracture. Here's a simple checklist. What you do in the first hour can make the difference in whether the property owner is held responsible.
Get medical care right away, even for what feels minor.
Report the fall to the store manager or property owner and ask for a written incident report.
Photograph what made you fall, the wet floor, ice, broken stair, or loose rug, before it's cleaned up.
Photograph the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
Get names and numbers of any witnesses.
Keep the clothes and shoes you wore, unwashed, as evidence.
Keep all medical records and a copy of the incident report.
Don't give a recorded statement to the property's insurer before talking to a lawyer.
Guides are general. Your case isn't. Ask us, it's free and there's no obligation.
Start a free reviewThe most important thing to do right after a slip and fall is photograph what made you fall before it gets cleaned up, and report the fall so there's a written record. The hazard, a wet floor, ice, or a broken step, is often fixed within minutes, so a photo taken right away is frequently the key evidence in the case.
Yes, you should report your fall to the store manager or property owner and ask for a written incident report. This creates an official record of when and where it happened, which is important because property owners and their insurers often later dispute that the fall occurred as described. Keep a copy if they give you one.
No, a property owner does not automatically have to pay for a slip and fall. To recover money, you generally have to show the owner knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn people. Documenting the hazard right away is what makes that possible, and Peretz Law Firm handles the investigation.
This guide is general information for people in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, it isn't legal advice for your specific situation, and reading it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your own case, talk to a lawyer. We're happy to be that first call, free.