If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident, filling out an incident report is one of the first steps you’ll need to take. Since you usually take this step while you’re still on-site, it’s essential to understand the best way to fill out these reports. They’ll serve as evidence in your injury case.
Here’s what you need to know.
How to Notify the Manager
After you slip and fall, you should notify the manager or the most senior employee you can find.
Avoid details, especially those suggesting you were at fault. Just say: I’ve fallen. I need medical attention and to fill out an incident report." Don’t apologize or call yourself clumsy.
Most places will have a specific form you can use, but not everyone will. It’s OK if your report is handwritten on regular paper.
Stick to the Facts
Don’t embellish, and don’t say anything in the report which could indicate you’re taking responsibility for the fall. Include details like:
- The date, time, and location where you fell
- The names of everyone involved
- The names of any witnesses
- Events leading up to the incident
- Environmental conditions
- Damage to equipment or area
- Everything you already know about the injury you sustained
Here is an example:
On January 6, 2023, I slipped and fell in Aisle 23 at Walmart. A cold puddle on the floor has not been attended to. No signs were present, and the puddle was impossible to see. Judy Franks witnessed the fall. EMTs are on the way.
Include Relevant Details
Note anything that might have made the hazard worse.
For example, were there obstacles that forced you into the path of the hazard? Did anything block your vision? Did you see indications that employees knew about the danger?
Keep a copy of the injury report and pair it with photographs. You should take pictures of your shoes, the hazard, the area, the general conditions, and any injuries you’ve sustained.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer ASAP
The sooner you involve a personal injury lawyer in your slip-and-fall case, the better. If you can call on the same day you are injured, you should.
We can help you navigate the pitfalls that arise as your case progresses.
Schedule a free case review today.
