Slip and fall, or trip and fall cases are reported as the most frequent cause of injury in Minnesota, with nearly 20 percent of all workers’ compensation cases arising from slip and falls . If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in public or on another person’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. That is, if you can prove negligence occurred. Taking photographs immediately after a slip and fall can be the difference between ensuring proper compensation and fighting an uphill battle in an attempt to win an injury lawsuit, since proper photographic and video evidence allows insurance companies to settle your slip and fall claim with more ease. While each slip and fall incident is different, there are several details to be sure to capture regardless of the specific circumstances.
Let’s take a look at the different components of a slip and fall accident that should be documented, and the importance of photographing them:
Capture the Scene
One of the most vital components to photograph is the scene of the slip and fall. Photographs of the scene as a whole paint a picture for insurance companies and attorneys of what may or may not have caused the slip and fall. When taking photographs of the scene, pay attention to capturing the hazard that caused your fall, the ground or floor and anything on it, such as water or ice, the surrounding area for context, the lighting, weather, and anything else that seems pertinent to the slip and fall accident. You can never take too many photographs of the scene. Be sure to photograph the scene as is, without moving or disturbing anything in order to present a clear and honest picture of the circumstances under which the slip and fall occurred.
Document Injuries
It is important to take photographs of any and all potential injuries you incurred through the slip and fall accident. Take photographs right when the scene occurs, and continue to take photos of your injuries as they progress and heal. Bruises, for instance, can change over time and become more apparent later on, so documenting the progression of your injuries is key. While medical records from the hospital can explain the injuries, photographs are what truly bring the reality of the injuries to light and they can have a tremendous impact on the jury if the case goes to trial. Owners of the property where the slip and fall occurred will have a harder time denying or contesting your claims if you have proper photographic evidence of your injuries.
Photograph Clothing
Sometimes property owners will try to blame the victim by saying it was his or her clothing or footwear that caused the slip and fall, so photographing your clothing as it was at the time of the slip and fall is imperative. Take photos from all angles and be sure to get closeups of your footwear, particularly the tread and shoelaces. If your clothes were not damaged in any way this step is sometimes overlooked, but even if you have no visible damage to your clothing and you know that your footwear did not cause the slip and fall, you should still do your due diligence of photographing your clothing. A personal injury attorney will be able to use the photographs to help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to
Work With Nelson Personal Injury
The personal injury attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury work hard to make sure you feel heard, and that you get the compensation to help you on the road to recovery. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, contact us to find out more about how we can help you with your next steps: nelsonpersonalinjury.com.
