What to do when you slip and fall in a store?

If you’ve slipped and fallen in a store, you may have suffered injuries due to the negligence of another party. If so, you may be eligible for substantial compensation for our injuries. Get in touch with an experienced NY & NJ slip and fall lawyer at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to discuss your case immediately.

Storeowners have what the law terms a duty of care to keep their establishments safe and free from conditions that could harm customers. Floors must be kept clean of any spills or boxes. Sidewalks and entrances right in front of the store need to be kept clear of ice and snow.

If a storeowner has been aware of an unsafe situation and has failed to do anything about it in a reasonable period of time, it may be possible to bring a lawsuit against them for negligence. A lawsuit can compensate you for damages such as medical bills, physical therapy, and time lost from work.

If you slip and fall in a store, here’s what you should do.

1. Tell the owner or manager before you leave.

If you’ve slipped and fallen, notify the owner (or manager, if the owner isn’t available) that you have, for two reasons. First, you want the situation made safe for other customers.  Second, in the event of a court case, juries might find it strange that you didn’t tell anyone.

2. Take pictures.

Take pictures of the area with your smartphone. Take pictures of any injuries, such as cuts and bruises. Why? Because you want evidence of what happened and why. Pictures are excellent evidence. They are also easy to take given the ubiquity of cell phones. If you don’t have a cell phone, take notes on what happened.

3. Get contact information from any witnesses.

If other store customers saw you slip and fall, try to get their contact information before leaving. Why? Because store owners often try to counter any accusations by saying that the injured person was careless. They may claim that they didn’t have sufficient time to clear a spill or get rid of boxes. You need witnesses who will attest to the danger of the situation.

4. Seek medical attention.

Don’t delay seeking medical attention. If you have visible injuries, such as cuts and bruises, you will know you are injured. But many injuries aren’t visible, but still dangerous. If you hit your head, you may have a concussion that can cause long-lasting brain injury. It’s possible to suffer a sprain of an ankle or wrist – or even a broken bone – and not be aware of the severity of the injury.

If You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer in New York or New Jersey

Do you need a slip and fall lawyer after an injury? The seasoned attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. have four decades of experience in slip and fall cases in New Jersey and New York. We will fight for fair and just compensation for our clients.

For a complimentary case review with a New York and New Jersey slip and fall lawyer, call us today toll free.