A case is only as strong as its evidence. In our system, a person injured from a slip and fall accident obtains compensation by proving that someone else was ‘at fault’ for their fall. After obtaining legal representation substantial evidence will be gathered throughout the legal process in order to prove your case. Your lawyer will gather information such as, but not limited to, employee logs, corporate policies and agreements with subcontractors. There is some critical evidence that you should obtain following a slip and fall accident.
It can be very helpful to your case if you are able to put together some evidence as soon as possible after your accident. If you are in the hospital or unable to gather evidence, ask a friend or family member to help. Basic types of evidence that can be helpful include the following:
- Photographs of the location of the fall, including close up photographs of anything that may have caused or contributed to your fall;
- If you purchased something at a business and fell afterward, keep the receipt from your purchase;
- Surveillance footage – request this in writing and keep a copy of your written request. It is important to note that surveillance footage is often taped over after a couple days or a week;
- A copy of the incident report form or any other document you were asked to complete by an owner, occupier or employee at the location where you fell; and
- Handwritten notes of any conversations you had with the owner or occupier of the location where you fell, or their employees.
In the days following an accident, you may be contacted by a representative of the insurer for the location where you fell. This representative is called an insurance adjuster. Since insurance adjusters operate in a highly complex system, you should approach these conversations carefully. For some preliminary advice on this issue, you may want to see my post on dealing with insurance adjusters, in relation to Independent adjusters and Section A adjusters.
Connect with a member of our team today to schedule your free consultation. To contact a member of our Personal Injury team call us at 902-469-9500 or 1-866-339-3400.