A slip and fall can happen in seconds.
The consequences can last for months or years.
A person may suffer a broken bone, torn ligament, spinal injury, concussion, or other serious condition after falling on a wet floor, uneven surface, damaged walkway, or poorly maintained property.
The challenge is proving what caused the fall.
The Dangerous Condition May Disappear
One of the biggest problems in premises liability cases is that the condition that caused the injury may be temporary.
A puddle gets cleaned.
A broken step gets repaired.
A loose mat gets removed.
A damaged sidewalk gets replaced.
That is why photographs and other documentation can be so important.
Take Photos When Possible
If you are physically able, photograph the area from several angles.
Take both close-up photographs and wider photographs showing where the condition was located.
For example, if you slipped on liquid in a store, photographs may help establish:
- Where the liquid was located
- How large the spill was
- Whether warning signs were present
- Whether the area was visible
- What the surrounding area looked like
Identify Witnesses
Someone may have seen the dangerous condition before you fell.
A witness may also have seen an employee walk past the area, received a warning from another customer, or observed what happened immediately afterward.
Get contact information if possible.
Report the Accident
Notify the business or property manager and ask that the incident be documented.
Be factual. Explain what happened without guessing about facts you do not know.
Medical Records Matter
A fall can cause injuries that are not immediately obvious.
For example, a person may initially believe they are simply sore but later develop significant back or neck symptoms.
Seek medical attention and follow the recommended treatment plan.
Mississippi’s Comparative Negligence Rules May Matter
A property owner may argue that the injured person was partly responsible.
Mississippi’s comparative negligence doctrine generally allows damages to be reduced according to the injured person’s share of fault rather than automatically barring recovery.
That makes the evidence surrounding the accident especially important.
If you were injured in a slip and fall in Jackson, contact Timbs Injury Law to discuss what happened and whether the property owner or another responsible party may be liable.