Do I Need Evidence To Support My Slip And Fall Accident Claim?

Philadelphia property owners and businesses have a legal duty to ensure that their premises are free from harm and in a reasonably safe condition for customers and guests. If an individual suffers injury after slipping, tripping, or falling on someone else’s property due to the owner’s negligence, they have a right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.

Consult with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer with expertise in handling slip-and-fall accident claims to ensure that your evidence is well-organized and supports your claim of negligence against the property owner.

For your slip and fall accident claim to succeed, you will need to prove the following elements:-

• The property owner and their employees owed you a duty of care
• They breached the duty of care
• The breach caused your accident and resulting injuries
• You suffered damages resulting from the accident. 

An individual’s status on the premises determines an owner’s degree of legal liability for the injuries that a person sustains while on the property.

The status depends on whether the individual was an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser at the time of the accident.

Property owners owe the highest degree of care and a duty to warn of hazards to an invitee. 

Evidence In Slip-And-Fall Accidents

The key to success in a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit lies in compiling and presenting potent evidence to effectively prove negligence. This evidence should demonstrate that the injuries arising from the accident were a result of the property owner’s actions or negligence. 

Critical ingredients to focus on when collecting evidence in slip and fall cases include: 

Accident Report

When slip and fall accidents occur inside a private residence, apartment complex, store, mall, or even a government establishment, it is essential to report the accident to whoever is in charge of maintaining the area. The owner or manager will provide you with an accident report form for you to fill out which will be sent to their insurance company. Make sure you have a copy of it. 

Since homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies often cover slip and fall accidents, it is necessary to report to the insurance company too. 

Medical Records

Medical records link the slip-and-fall accident to your injuries. It is essential to seek professional medical treatment right after your accident. Medical records can demonstrate the impact of the accident on your life and health. 

At the law Offices Of Samuel Fishman, an attorney can help you gather vital medical records for your slip and fall lawsuit, which may include medical charts, X-rays and imaging reports, doctor’s notes,  prescription records, physical therapy records, medical bills, emergency room records, specialist consultations reports, psychological evaluation reports, and hospital discharge summaries.

Photographs And Video Footage

It is crucial to take pictures and videos of the accident scene and your injuries. 

Photographs and videos can help establish liability for your injuries. 

Documenting the scene of a slip-and-fall accident through photographs and CCTV footage can help you and your lawyer prove your case to the insurance company or in court. 

Expert Witnesses

In complex slip-and-fall cases, expert testimony becomes a necessity. Experts can sway the fortunes of the case in your favour.  At our Philadelphia personal injury law firm, we have access to medical experts, accident reconstructionists, economic experts, life care planners, mental health experts, and vocational rehabilitation experts. 

Eyewitness Statements

Eyewitness statements play a significant role in supporting your claim. Witness statements are observations of the witnesses before, during, and after the accident. One smart move you can make after your accident is to get the contact information of any witnesses to your accident. You want to ensure your attorney will be able to contact them. 

Witness statements provide a third-party, neutral insight into the circumstances leading up to, during, and after the accident. 

Contact A Philadelphia Slip-And-Fall Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have suffered severe and life-altering injuries on someone else’s property in Philadelphia, you need a highly skilled slip-and-fall injury lawyer to help you rebuild your life and recover the compensation you deserve.

Contact an experienced Lawyer at The Law Offices Of Samuel Fishman today for a free case evaluation. We are here for you every step of the way.