What should you do after a slip-and-fall accident in calgary? PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS answer
Alberta is known for its harsh winters and heavy snowfall. During winter, Albertans should be especially cautious about slip and falls. Slip and fall accidents are one the leading cause of preventable injury in Canada and often can be quite severe, and in many cases, result in long-term, chronic injuries, particularly for the elderly. Common injuries as a result of slip and fall include: hip fractures, lower leg fractures, ankle sprain, neck and shoulder injuries, and head injuries. In a situation where the slip and fall was the result of negligence, the injured party may commence legal action and hold the negligent person legally liable.
Examples of negligence include, but not limited to:
- poor maintenance in publicly accessible area
- drainage issues near buildings
- uneven stairs
- Icy conditions in walking areas
If an injured person can prove the accident was caused by someone’s negligence, then the injured person can often receive compensation for pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses, future care cost, loss of consortium, income loss, and loss of future income.
What you should do after a slip and fall accident in Calgary?
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Seek medical treatment right away
It is crucial to see your family doctor immediately following a slip and fall accident so that the doctor can document the extent of your injury and connect the injury to the slip and fall. Medical evidence often determines the extent of compensation for the injury sustained.
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Preserve evidence and document everything
You should take photos of your surroundings as well as the condition of the surface where you fell, ideally from different angles. Be mindful to capture any hazards such as ice on the pavement, uneven surface or snow build-up, etc. In addition, you should document what kind of shoe you were wearing, especially the kind of tread on your footwear at the time of the accident.
Be sure to document details such as the location of the accident, the time of the day, the temperature outside, the weather conditions, whether there was adequate lighting, and any warning signs in the surroundings. It is also important to take photos of your injuries, i.e. bruising, bleeding, or scars, immediately following the slip and fall accident.
In addition, regardless of the location of the accident, you should immediately report your fall to the property owner, manager or landlord of the property so that they have a record of what happened.
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Identify witness
Get the names and phone number, address, and email of any witness around so that people can support your claim. Witness statements are often critical to prove your claim. Be sure to obtain a statement from any witness as soon as possible.
The steps you take after your accident are critical to claiming compensation for your injuries. If you believe that you have been injured in a slip and fall accident as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Osuji & Smith Lawyers for a free consultation to learn about your rights and options.
Author: Roger (TJ) Zhang
