subject: Slip And Fall Lawyer - Reporting The Incident [print this page] When it comes to evidence, a slip and fall lawyer looks at all angles of any given situation. When a client comes in for a consultation, the first question usually involves whether or not the incident was reported to the property owner or company utilizing the space. It does not matter whether it happened yesterday or two months ago, a legal professional will always advise clients to go back and fill out a report about what happened. The more details provided, the better.
Finding the Right Person
When the incident occurs, it is important to report it right away. While telling a passing employee may expedite help and assistance, it is not considered to be an official notification. A slip and fall lawyer wants to make sure that the client sat down with a representative of the company and filled out the necessary paperwork.
This does not mean that someone from the corporate office in another town or state needs to make the trip to the location. It does mean that someone with authority to speak for the company should be addressing the incident. A slip and fall attorney can be present at the reporting if necessary.
Filling Out the Forms
Some companies have a simple one-page form that documents any incidents that take place on the property. If an employee is hurt on the job or a customer sustains an injury during a visit, the same form is used. Regardless of what the company offers, victims should take advantage of the opportunity. Make sure that all basic information in included such as the date and the time. If possible, explain exactly what happened. Ideally, it is helpful to include some information that shows how the other party may have been liable for what happened. The most important thing is to make sure that all information is accurate.
Keeping Documentation
Once the report is filed, a slip and fall lawyer ensures that the client keeps a copy of any and all papers that are filled out and signed. These forms will come in handy when the time comes to put together a case. Remember that even if the report was not filed until much later on, it does show that someone was made aware of the issue. From there, an attorney can document how the other party handled the information and what was done to make improvements to area in question.
Phone calls, letters and any other documents will be kept by the slip and fall lawyer to assist in demonstrating liability on the part of the other party. Even if the attorney is hanging onto different papers, it can't hurt to keep an extra copy at home.