Do’s and Don’ts After a Slip and Fall in a Chicago Mall During the Holiday Shopping Season
It’s easy to lose your footing in the holiday rush. Here’s what to do if you’re out shopping and find yourself hurt.
Our client slipped on a detergent leak in a Chicago Walmart. He herniated a disc in his back, needing an MRI, multiple steroid injections, and a few months of PT to get better. Not to mention the time off work and dealing with chronic pain. We recovered $65,000 for him after another office could not.
DO: Get checked out by a doctor ASAP
Even if you feel okay, it’s important to get a quick checkup after a fall. Sometimes injuries aren’t obvious right away, and a doctor’s assessment can catch things early. Plus having that medical record will be helpful if you need to make a claim later on.
DON’T: Brush off your injuries
It’s likely never “just a bruise” so try not to downplay any injuries when talking to the staff at the store, your doctor or the insurance company. Being upfront helps ensure you get the right care and fair compensation for what you’re going through.
DO: Tell store management what happened
Make sure to tell a store employee or mall manager about the fall and ask if they can fill out an incident report. This report is a helpful record of what happened. It’s smart to get a copy or at least jot down details like names and titles of the people who helped you. If the store won’t make a report for you you can make one yourself.
DON’T: Give statements to insurance companies without legal advice
Insurance adjusters might seem friendly, but they’re often trying to get details that could limit what they’ll cover. Politely hold off on any in depth discussions until you’ve talked to one of our lawyers who can guide you on what to say.
DO: take photos of the scene
Snap a few photos of the spot where you fell, especially if you can see any hazards like wet floors, clutter, or dim lighting. Also, take pictures of any injuries you might have. These can be useful if you need to explain what happened later.
DON’T: Toss out or change anything just yet
Try to keep things as they were after the fall. Don’t move anything at the scene before you take photos. These little details might be really helpful if you decide to make a claim.
DO: Get contact info from any witnesses
If anyone nearby saw what happened, politely ask if they’d be willing to share their contact info. A witness might be able to provide extra details and back up your story later on.
DON’T: Sign any settlements right away
If the mall’s insurance company or management offers you a settlement, hold off on signing until you’ve spoken to us. You want to make sure any offer truly covers your costs and needs before agreeing to anything.
DO: Keep all receipts and records
Hang on to any receipts, medical bills, and reports related to the fall. These records are more than just proof of expenses—they’ll also help make sure you get fairly compensated for any out of pocket costs.
DON’T: Post about the accident online
As tempting as it is to share, try to avoid posting details on social media. Insurance companies sometimes use social posts to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you say. it’s best to keep it offline until everything’s sorted.
DO: Talk to McCready Law about your case
Slip and fall cases, especially in busy places like malls, can be tricky. An attorney can guide you through the process protect your rights, and help you figure out what compensation you might be eligible for.
Even if you were partly responsible you might still be eligible for compensation thanks to comparative negligence laws. Let us look at the situation. We can help you figure out who’s really responsible and what your options are.