Summertime is here. You decide to enjoy a trip to a resort with your family. Suddenly, you witness your mother slipping from a handrail and falling on the floor. She cries out and tells you that her wrist seems to be broken.
How can you best assist in this situation and what proactive measures can you take to hold the resort accountable for her injury?
6 steps to take after a slip-and-fall
As a witness to an accident that happened to someone you love, it is perfectly valid to feel emotional over seeing them in pain. However, being their grown companion also means being practical about the situation and planning your next course of action.
Here are six steps you can follow to help your injured parent get the medical attention that they need while also protecting their right to compensation:
- Request a medic: Resorts always have medical aids and lifeguards on duty. Seek immediate help while keeping the injured person in a stable position.
- Document the situation: It is crucial to preserve evidence if you plan to seek compensation for the accident. Take photos and videos of the place where your mother fell, as well as the surrounding area and her injury.
- Report the accident to the manager: Do not leave the scene without reporting it to the manager or officer in charge. Describe the accident in full detail but do not exaggerate any part of the story.
- Refuse to sign a waiver: Do not agree to sign any waiver after the accident. A waiver could limit your right to sue for damages.
- Gather witnesses: Look around the area for witnesses. Ask for basic contact information like their name, phone number and email address. If they were also able to record the incident, ask for a copy of the recording.
- Look for evidence: If there is any blood on the clothing or some damaged belongings during the fall, keep them. It is also important to check if you can find faults on the handrail, stairs or other surfaces.
An additional measure to take is to investigate if there were any former complaints about the building hazard that caused the slip-and-fall accident.
How to seek medical compensation from the resort
Helping your loved one recover from an injury after they experience a serious fall can be overwhelming in the emotions. Having a legal counsel to assist with the case can help speed up the process of filing a claim and receiving a positive outcome on your family’s behalf.