Available 24/7
If you’re injured on someone else’s property, move to a place of immediate safety. Receive first aid, and seek immediate medical attention. Take steps to preserve evidence and identify witnesses. Learn about your rights and the potential value of your case. You may have help from an attorney to pursue compensation.
Injured on Someone Else’s Property?
What you do next matters. There are things that you can do to prevent further harm, protecting your safety and the safety of those around you. In addition, there are things that you can do to protect your rights. You may receive compensation when you’re injured on someone’s property, but you must pursue it.
Immediate Steps to Take After an Injury on Someone Else’s Property
Prevent Additional Harm
Even after an initial injury occurs, there may be a dangerous situation ongoing. The first thing to do is to take steps needed to prevent additional harm to yourself or others. Move to a place of safety and do anything needed to mitigate the risk of further injury.
Receive First Aid
If you think you may be seriously hurt, contact first responders. In the chaos and confusion of an urgent situation, make sure that someone has summoned emergency services. Receive first aid until more experienced emergency responders can take over. If you are on the phone with 911, follow instructions from the operator regarding care until help arrives.
Seek Medical Care
When your injuries are more serious than what a first aid kit will cover, seek emergency or urgent medical care. Remember that your injuries may be more severe than you immediately realize. Medical care can stabilize existing injuries and begin healing. It creates a record of your injuries, made by a trained and unbiased healthcare professional.
Preserve Evidence
There may be valuable evidence at the scene; if there are tangible items, save them if you can. For example, if you were hurt by an object that broke or malfunctioned, save it, if it’s in your possession. Keep the clothes that you were wearing in a place where they will be dry and unaltered. Take photos of the scene where the injury occurred. Photograph your injuries and your entire body.
Identify Witnesses
Identify as many witnesses as you can; get their contact information. This might be a relatively simple task when an injury occurs in someone else’s home. There may be one, two, or even no witnesses. If an injury occurs in a public place, there may be many witnesses. Ask for contact information so that you can follow up, if necessary.
Make an Accident Report
If you’re at a business, tell representatives about the accident; it’s best to write a report. Large businesses that are open to the public usually have procedures and a standard form in place. Make sure the report goes to someone who handles reports or to management. Don’t say too much – a few sentences about what happened and that you are injured is enough for now.
Learn the Legal Terms
Once you have addressed your immediate needs, it’s time to think about what to do next. When someone is hurt on someone else’s property, they may qualify to receive monetary compensation. The legal term for this type of case is premises liability.
Understand Your Rights
You may deserve financial compensation. The exact standard to receive compensation depends on what laws apply to the case (usually state law), why you were on the property, and other factors.
To receive compensation, you must pursue it. That may make you worry about having to go to court. However, many claims can be resolved through insurance without a trial.
Contact a Lawyer
A lawyer can explain what to do and pursue your rights. Contact Shealey Law Firm to discuss your situation.
Understanding Premises Liability: Who Is Responsible?
When premises liability injuries occur, multiple parties may be responsible. A person on the property may have a duty of care to others.
Negligence or other breach of duty may be grounds for individual liability. In addition, the property owner, or someone controlling an event or operations on the property, may be liable for failing to keep the property safe.
How to Report the Incident to the Property Owner
An important part of what to do when you’re hurt on someone else’s property is reporting the incident to the property owner. Making a timely report prevents them from saying that the accident didn’t occur or that injuries happened another way. Find the property owner or an employee and report the accident. The property owner will likely take a brief written report.
Don’t say too much – you may not have accurate information right away. Don’t speculate about possible causes or how severe injuries might be.
Don’t delay necessary medical care, but make the report as soon as possible.
Contact a Lawyer
Have you been hurt on someone else’s property? Are you wondering what to do?
Contact Shealey Law Firm. Our experienced lawyers help people when they’re hurt on someone else’s property. We can assist you with what to do, and represent you in a claim for compensation.