When you step outside of your home to run an errand or otherwise, likely the last thing you expect is that you are going to get injured. But unfortunately, injuries occur far too often when visiting public places. Read on to discover what you should do if you are injured while visiting a public place and how one of the seasoned Baltimore County slip and fall attorneys at The Law Offices of Markey & Orsi can work on your behalf.
In what ways might I suffer an injury in a public place?
Commonly, injuries in public places are in the form of slip and falls. Such injuries often occur when a property owner fails to properly clear their administrative area from potentially dangerous conditions. Further, such public places can be anywhere from a parking lot, supermarket, or hotel, to an elevator, sidewalk, or parking lot.
With that being said, examples of dangerous property conditions that may prompt a slip and fall accident include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Uneven flooring.
- Wet floors.
- Lifted rugs.
- Inadequate lighting.
- Inadequate security.
- Faulty appliances.
What steps should I take if I am injured while visiting a public place?
If you are involved in a slip and fall accident in a public place, one of the first things you should do is notify the property owner or manager. They may not only assist you in receiving quick medical assistance, but they may take immediate steps toward preventing further accidents like yours from occurring. Overall, having evidence that you made them aware of the situation can make all the difference for your personal injury claim.
Also for your claim, you should take the following steps:
- File a police report: you should call law enforcement officers to the scene so that they can establish a record of your accident.
- Gather photos and videos: you should take a variety of close-ups and wide shots of your injuries, damages, and the dangerous property conditions that contributed to your accident.
- Collect contact information: you should ask the property owner or manager for their contact information, along with that of the present witnesses.
- Seek immediate medical attention: you should be willing for medical professionals to attend to you at the scene, be willing to be taken to the hospital, and be willing to schedule follow-up appointments with your physician as necessary.
- Keep track of all expenses: you should take stock of all your medical bills, lost wages, and any other out-of-pocket costs that are related to your accident.
Last but not least, you should not bring your claim forward without first reviewing it with a competent Baltimore County personal injury attorney. Schedule your initial consultation with us today.
