Trip Slip Fall Compensation Claim: The immediate steps you should take following a trip, slip or fall on a pavement, road or other UK public highway
Trip Slip Fall Compensation Immediate Steps: Find out the practical steps you should take immediately following an accident involving a trip, slip or fall as a result of a defect with a pavement or other public highway – allowing you to gather as much evidence as possible to support a potential compensation claim.
What should you do immediately following a trip, slip or fall to support a compensation claim?
As soon as you are aware that you have been involved in an accident on a pavement, road or path (whether on the streets, on public or private land) you should:
1. Call an ambulance if your injuries are severe.
2. Take a note of exactly where your accident happened and mark it on your copy of a local map.
3. If you can, take a photograph immediately of the defect which caused your accident.
Pavement Slip Trip Fall Accident
For example, if you tripped over a raised pavement stone you should take some wide angle photos of the area with the raised paving stone clearly shown, some close up shots of the raised stone, some shots of a ruler or measuring device in the photo with the ruler markings clearly indicating the size of the defect.
These photos should be signed and dated on the reverse to prove when they were taken and by whom – they will show where your trip slip fall accident happened, what the defect was that caused your accident and how big a defect it was.
4. If you didn’t have a camera with you at the time of your accident go back to the scene as soon as you can to take photos – it is likely that the defect that caused your accident will still be existence.
5. Take the names and contact details of any witnesses.
6. Attend at hospital or your G.P. to have your injuries treated. A record will be made of any injuries you complain of even if no treatment is necessary (together with a brief description of your slip trip fall accident circumstances), so it is important you tell the doctor all of your injuries no matter how small.
7. Some of your injuries may go unnoticed initially due to shock, but as soon as any symptoms present themselves – however small – see your G.P.
8. Notify the council responsible for the pavement, road or highway where your accident happened – this is best done in writing so a record will be made.
9. Keep a diary of all your physical symptoms – what they are and on what dates. Remember any psychological symptoms including shock, sleepless nights etc. should also be recorded.
10. Keep a record, as well as any receipts, for all the expenses you have as a result of your accident including: lost income, prescription expenses, travel expenses to and from the hospital or your G.P, etc. These expenses can all form part of your slip/trip claim for compensation.
Remember – taking these steps may be the last thing on your mind following an accident, but they will prove critical in proving you have a compensation claim – as you can imagine there is always a reluctance for public bodies such as the council to accept you have a claim.
Summary & Recommended Next Step
You have seen the important steps you should take immediately following a slip, trip or fall on a pavement or public highway to ensure you receive the best treatment for your injuries and gather as much evidence as possible to support your compensation claim.
I recommend you:
Click trip slip accident claim to discover the most common types of trip slip fall compensation claim in the UK
Trip Slip Fall Compensation Claim Solicitors Free Help
We offer several specialist solicitor free help options if you are considering making a trip slip fall compensation claim – including asking an online question, speaking direct to a specialist or arranging a callback.
