What happens next
- Record what caused the fall, who controlled that part of the property and whether a warning was visible on your approach.
- Counsel may seek video from before and after the fall, inspection records, cleaning logs, repair orders and accounts from people who saw the condition earlier.
- Discuss your reason for being on the premises and how the hazard, the owner’s knowledge, the warnings and your resulting injuries fit together.
Timing and deadlines
Report the incident promptly and ask counsel about preserving footage before routine deletion. A public sidewalk, school or government building can involve special notice requirements and limits on claims.
Costs and payment
Some cases turn on a few records and witnesses. Others may require measurements, inspections or a technical opinion. Ask what additional expense each step would justify.
How to prepare
- Keep the shoes and clothing worn, an incident report or reference number, and original photos.
- Note the time, exact aisle or location, warning signs and the names of employees you spoke with.
- List earlier complaints or witnesses who can say when a spill or defect first appeared.
Questions and answers
Why ask for footage from before I fell?
It may show when a spill appeared, whether anyone reported it, or how long people passed it. That can help distinguish actual knowledge from a hazard that had existed long enough for a reasonable inspection to find it.
What if the store would not give me a copy of its report?
Record when you reported the fall, to whom and what you said. Keep the reference number if you have one. Counsel can discuss other ways to seek records or identify witnesses.
I slipped on something I could not identify. How do I explain it?
Describe what you personally saw and felt. Note the precise spot, lighting, residue on clothing or shoes, any signs, and witnesses. Keep photos and clothing as found. It is fine to say you do not know what caused the condition.
I fell at a school or city-owned building. Does that affect my next step?
Tell counsel immediately who operated the premises and when the incident occurred. Claims involving governmental units can raise immunity and special notice issues. Bring any report or correspondence even if you already spoke to staff.
An employee put out a warning cone afterward. Is that enough to show the store knew?
Describe when and where you first saw the cone. What employees saw, reported or did before your fall can be important to notice. Identify witnesses who observed the area beforehand and avoid drawing conclusions from the later response alone.
Let’s talk about your next step.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Talk with Angel’s office about your concerns, upcoming dates and how the team can help.