Properly Documenting a Slip and Fall Accident in West Virginia
If dangerous conditions on public or private property caused you to slip and fall, it is important to properly document the accident and your injuries in case you decide to consult an attorney to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages and other damages.
If you can do so safely, try to take photos of the accident site using your phone’s camera. This will allow you to document any hazardous conditions present, such as a slippery surface, cracked sidewalk or obstructions in your walking path. Photos may also serve as evidence that the party in question — such as a store manager or property owner — owed you a duty of care to prevent a slip and fall accident from occurring.
Seek medical attention after an accident
Another important step is to visit a physician as soon as possible. A doctor will examine your injuries and make a diagnosis, while also prescribing any treatment you should receive. Be sure to keep careful records of all doctor visits, treatments and medications, including the costs you’ve incurred.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of some injuries, including those to the neck and back, may take time to show up. Therefore, if you develop pain or other symptoms in the days following the accident, consult a physician again to make sure there is a record of it.
In most cases, you will need to prove that you were not fully or partially responsible for the fall. You must have been on the premises in question in full accordance with the law and must have been acting in a reasonable way. People who are injured while running through a store or climbing a shelf to reach an item may have a more difficult time proving that their own negligence did not lead to the accident.
To seek compensation after a slip and fall accident, meet with a skilled lawyer right away. In West Virginia, you have two years from the date the injury occurred to file an injury claim. While that may seem like a long time, the sooner you file, the better, to preserve evidence and witness accounts. Our legal professionals will examine the details of your accident and the extent of your injuries to develop a claim that seeks full, fair compensation. For more information, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC.