What to Do if You Slip and Fall in a Store

In New Jersey, store owners have a legal responsibility to provide reasonably safe conditions for customers and other guests. Failure to do so can result in serious injuries—including slip and fall accidents. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that more than one million people nationwide are required to seek emergency medical assistance for slips and falls each year. 

This raises an important question: What should you do if you are hurt in a slip and fall accident at a store in New Jersey? There are specific actions that you need to take to protect your well-being and your legal rights. In this article, our Jersey City slip and fall accident attorney highlights four steps to take if you were hurt in a fall accident in a store. 

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Nothing is more important than your health. Medical needs come first. A severe injury in a slip and fall requires immediate emergency medical attention. While non-emergency injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician promptly. Seeking medical attention is crucial for a few different reasons—not only to protect your safety, but also to ensure that you will be eligible to bring a claim.  

Document the Accident—Especially the Slipping/Tripping Hazard

In New Jersey, slip and fall accidents are covered by premises liability law. A store can be held legally responsible for injuries sustained in a slip and fall—but liability is not automatically imposed. You must prove that negligence on the part of a business (the store) or property owner (commercial landlord) contributed to the accident. For this reason, it is crucial that you document the slip and fall accident to the best of your ability. Along with other things, you should: 

• Take photographs or video of the slipping/tripping hazards;
• Get the contact details for anyone who witnessed the fall; and
• Write down what happened from your perspective. 

Notify the Business or Property Owner

You need to make sure that the store owner (or the landlord) is aware of the accident. It is generally best to provide some form of written notice that a serious slip and fall occurred on their premises—even if a manager received verbal notice. A New Jersey slip and fall accident attorney can help you provide notice. 

Consult With a New Jersey Premises Liability Attorney

Beware of defendants and insurance companies. They are interested in protecting their own bottom line, not in doing what is best for you. You should work through the premises liability claims process with guidance from an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer. An attorney will make sure that your rights and interests are protected—and that you comply with all state regulations, including the two-year statute of limitations to bring a slip and fall claim (New Jersey Statutes § 2A:14-2). 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer in Jersey City

At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, our New Jersey slip and fall accident attorney is an aggressive, experienced advocate for victims. If you or your loved one was hurt in a slip and fall at a store, we are here to help. Give us a call or connect with us online for a free consultation. From our Jersey City office, we represent slip and fall accident victims throughout North Jersey, including in Hudson County, Bergen County, Union County, Essex County, and Passaic County.

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