In Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia County, people often are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. In many cases, these injuries can cause serious physical problems to the victim(s) that can have long lasting impacts on their quality of life. It is essential that any individual(s) who has been injured due to another’s actions, know what their rights are and how having an experienced attorney can help them achieve the outcome they are entitled to.
Injured on someone’s Commercial or Residential Property: Knowing Your Rights. In order for a property owner to be liable for injuries you incurred while on their residential or commercial property several factors are considered
- Did the owner of the property or an employee cause the dangerous condition (such as spilling a liquid without notifying customers or their boss)?
- Was the owner of the property aware of the dangerous condition and did he/she take any action in order to prevent injury?
- Should the owner of the property been aware of the dangerous condition?
If any or all of the above factors pertain to your particular injury then you may be able to recover for damages.
What Steps You Should Take Immediately Following an Injury:
Do NOT Wait! Take Action Immediately
The main reason that you should take immediate action following your slip and fall injury is because, in order to be awarded compensation resulting from your slip and fall injury, you need to have evidence showing that an injury has occurred and that it has impacted your life in some way.
Report the Injury to the Establishment
Immediately following a slip and fall injury, you should first report the incident to the proprietor, manager, and/or store employee of the establishment in which the injury occurred. Having this report on record will look very favorable in the eyes of the court because, if you did not report the incident to the owner and/or manager of the establishment, then the credibility of your injury could be called into question if your case ever went in front of a judge.
Document the Area in Which the Injury Occurred
If you are able to, document the scene in which the injury occurred. Generally, most individuals have camera phones and if you or someone you are with at the time of the incident has a camera phone, take photos/video of the scene. These photos can potentially be very valuable in showing that the establishment was not kept in a safe and orderly manner and/or the owner’s negligence caused your injury.
Speak With Any Known Witnesses
If your occurred at an establishment that is generally open to the public, chances are high that there were other individuals who witnessed the injury. If possible, get the contact information of any potential witnesses that saw the injury occur. Witnesses in a personal injury case can be an extremely helpful in your lawsuit because they can provide a neutral and unbiased account of what circumstances led to the injury occurring.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It is essential that you seek immediate medical attention after a slip and fall injury has occurred. Once you are at a doctor’s office or hospital, make sure you clearly describe to the attendant what occurred and if you feel ANY pain resulting from the injury. Medical records are an essential aspect of any personal injury case and having them on file will be very useful to your lawsuit.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
While these incidents can often be a difficult situation to handle due to the financial, emotional and physical burden it places on the injured party, it is important to know that YOU have rights.
The Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo is ready to help you through this process. Please contact us with any question about your or a loved ones specific injury. Our experienced staff and attorneys will ensure that your needs, concerns, and questions will be handled in a professional and courteous manner.
