A slip and fall can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, and permanent back injuries. If you suffered because of a slip and fall in an East Los Angeles grocery store, follow these steps to protect your legal rights.
File an Accident Report with the Store and with the Police
Even if you don’t think that you’re seriously hurt, you should file an accident report with the store and with the police. Filing an accident report with the grocery store can alert the management on duty of a hazard. Once they are on notice, they are able to correct the hazard which protects other customers. You should also contact the police through their non-emergency number if you do not have a serious injury. If you’ve hit your head or can’t move, you should call 911 so that you can also get emergency medical care. When the police arrive, they will take a report. This report is important because it provides an unbiased representation of what led up to the accident and the scene. You’ll be given a report number so that you can get a copy of the report in a few days.
Take Pictures of the Hazard
If you’re not seriously injured, make sure that you take photos of what caused you to slip and fall. These can be important to a knowledgeable La Habra slip and fall lawyer should you decide to pursue a claim for your injuries.
In California, negligence in a slip and fall case must be claimed. There are several points that must be considered, but one of those points is whether the defendant was negligent in maintaining the property. For instance, did they know that there was a wet floor because of broken eggs and employees just decided they didn’t want to clean it up?
Seek Medical Attention
Another factor in a successful slip and fall claim is that there must be actual damages. Actual damages are something that happened to you as a result of the slip and fall. One example would be herniated discs in your back or neck. You could need physical therapy, surgery, or frequent visits to the doctor until your injury is healed. You may lose time from work. However, it is important that you get medical attention as soon as is reasonable.
If it isn’t an emergency, you don’t have to call 911. You could make an appointment with your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic. Keep in mind that if you wait too long that the insurance company for the grocery store or their attorney could argue that you weren’t really hurt because of the slip and fall.
Talk to an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
As soon as you can, make an appointment to speak with a licensed La Habra slip and fall lawyer. Slip and fall claims have a statute of limitations. This means that you only have a certain amount of time to file your claim and protect your legal rights. You shouldn’t trust the insurance company or the grocery store to do what is in your best interest. You need an advocate on your side.
For more information on how you can protect your legal rights and potentially recover financial compensation after an accident that was not your fault, contact the accident lawyers at Ghozland Law Firm today.