Accidents that involve falling can cause significant disruptions in your life. A fall can leave you with physical pain, high medical bills, and lost wages. After a fall in your apartment complex, you may be eligible for compensation. Property owners must keep the premises safe for others. However, if owners are negligent and you fall due to a dangerous condition, you may hold them liable.
A slip-and-fall attorney can help you fight for financial recovery. However, you also have a role to play in safeguarding your right to compensation. Here’s what you should do after a fall at your apartment complex in CT to secure your legal rights.
Examine Yourself for Injuries
Fall can lead to severe injuries. Examples are:
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Lacerations
- Back injuries
After you fall, inspect yourself for any visible injuries. You may be unable to see some injuries. So, pay attention to any pain or stiffness you might be feeling.
If your injuries are severe, call for help. You can dial 911 and have paramedics come to the scene. They will evaluate your injuries and take you to the emergency room.
Take Photos
In some cases, you may not need to seek immediate medical care. If so, take photos of the site where you fell. The images will help prove your claims when you seek compensation.
Ensure you document any causes of your fall. These may include the following:
- Wet floors
- Loose floorboards
- Cluttered or obstructed floors (items left in the middle of a hallway, a cord stretched across a path, etc.)
- Poor lighting
- Stairs with missing handrails
Talk to Eyewitnesses
Someone may have seen the entire incident unfold. Ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact details. That will help in case you need to follow up with them later.
Also, after a fall at your apartment complex, ask eyewitnesses to describe what they saw. They may have seen things you didn’t notice or that you’ve forgotten due to the stress of the situation. It’s a good idea to write down what the witnesses tell you. That way, you’ll have a record of their accounts.
Take Note of Any Surveillance Cameras
Following a fall at an apartment complex, scan the area for surveillance cameras. Take note of any that you see. Surveillance footage can help support your case.
Eyewitness accounts can be subjective. Surveillance footage, on the other hand, can provide objective evidence of what happened. Footage can be especially helpful if there is a dispute about the cause of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
A fall at your apartment complex can result in a range of injuries. Seeking medical care can help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Some injuries, such as a concussion, may not be immediately apparent. So, see a doctor even if you don’t have any visible injuries.
Seeing a doctor will ensure there is a record of your injuries and the treatment you received. Such documentation will help support any claim you make for compensation.
Notify the Property Owner
Ensure you report the fall at your apartment complex in CT to the property owner or manager. They will probably have a procedure in place for reporting accidents. You may have to complete a form that will serve as an official record of the incident.
As you report your fall, be cautious about what you say and write in the record. Avoid saying things that imply you are responsible for the fall. Instead, provide factual information on the incident.
Safeguard Relevant Records
Some documents can help support your claim, so you must keep them safe. Examples of such documents include medical bills and a copy of the incident report. Also, safeguard all receipts proving any out-of-pocket expenditures.
You can also write down any difficulties in your daily tasks caused by the fall. This will help you prove intangible losses like reduced quality of life.
Consult a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Filing a claim for compensation after a fall can be complex. A slip-and-fall accident lawyer can help you file a case and fight for fair compensation. In Connecticut, you have two years from the day of the fall to file a lawsuit. A CT personal injury lawyer can ensure you meet the deadline.
Other ways a lawyer can help you include:
- Proving the property owner’s liability
- Gathering evidence
- Filing paperwork
- Handling communications with the insurance provider
- Negotiating a fair settlement
Recover Compensation With the Help of a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Sustaining a fall at an apartment complex in CT can have far-reaching consequences. However, with the tips above, you now know what to do after the incident. Following them will help you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured after a fall due to the property owner’s negligence, you should consider discussing your case with an experienced CT personal injury attorney. At Brandon J Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in compassion and empathy and want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation. With our proven track record of success, we can get you the justice you deserve.