Let’s be honest — no one expects to fall in public. One minute you’re shopping, walking into work, or enjoying a resort, and the next, you’re on the ground, hurting, confused, and maybe even embarrassed. We get it. Slip and fall accidents catch you off guard, and they’re more serious than most people realize.
And here’s the thing — if that fall wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be stuck with the medical bills, lost wages, or pain that follows.
You might feel unsure of what to do next, or maybe the store or property owner is already trying to downplay what happened. That’s why it’s so important to act fast, not just for your health, but to protect your rights.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
When you’ve just had a slip and fall, it’s easy to feel shaken, embarrassed, or even confused about what to do next. You might wonder — “Was this my fault? Should I say something? Do I even need a doctor?”
The truth is, those first steps you take, right after the accident and in the hours and days that follow, can make all the difference. Here’s exactly what to do, broken down into clear steps you can follow, even in a stressful moment.
What to Do Immediately After a Fall
- Check yourself for injuries. If you can’t get up or feel severe pain, stay put and call for help. Head, back, and joint injuries can get worse fast. Don’t try to tough it out.
- Seek medical attention. Call emergency services. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask injuries like concussions, fractures, or internal damage. It’s always safer to get checked.
- Report the accident. Tell the store manager, property owner, or whoever is in charge. Make sure they document what happened — and get a copy of the report if you can.
- Take photos. Snap pictures of the scene of the accident — wet floors, uneven pavement, broken steps — whatever caused your fall. Your phone can become your best evidence.
- Collect witness info. If anyone saw you fall, ask for their contact information, including name and phone number. Their statement could be critical later.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident, Once You’ve Left the Scene
The accident might be over, but protecting your rights has just begun. Here’s what to do next:
- See a doctor. Even if you think you’re fine. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage or concussions, show up hours or days later. A medical record also strengthens your case. Follow medical treatment and collect all the bills.
- Write everything down. As soon as you can, jot down every detail you remember:
What caused your fall
The time and place
Weather conditions
What shoes you were wearing
What the property looked like - Preserve your clothes and shoes. Don’t wash or throw them out, because they may have evidence like wet spots, debris, or tears that help prove your case.
- Avoid social media. It’s tempting to vent online, but posts can be twisted by insurance companies. Keep details between you and your lawyer.
- Talk to a personal injury lawyer. The property owner and their insurer may already be building a defense. You deserve someone on your side, fighting for the compensation you’re owed.
If you’ve taken a fall, don’t brush it off or skip these steps, because what feels like a minor ache or embarrassment now could turn into a serious injury later.
Common Fall Injuries
Slip and fall incidents aren’t always just bruises or embarrassment, and many people get seriously hurt in a slip, and some are left injured in a slip with life-changing consequences.
- Broken bones, especially hips, wrists, and ankles
- Spinal cord injuries, leading to back pain or even paralysis
- Head injuries — concussions, brain trauma, or skull fractures
- Soft tissue damage, including torn ligaments or sprains
- Long-term mobility problems, requiring therapy or surgery
These injuries don’t just hurt; they disrupt your life. Hospital stays, physical therapy, missed work, and constant pain can follow for weeks, months, or even longer. If your fall happened because someone didn’t keep their property safe, you deserve help covering those costs and holding them accountable.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
A slip and fall accident doesn’t just hit you physically, but it hits your wallet, your work life, and your peace of mind. The law allows you to seek compensation for those losses, depending on your situation:
- Medical Expenses
- ER visits, doctor appointments, surgery
- Physical therapy, medications, medical devices
- Future medical care if your injuries are long-term
- Lost Wages & Future Income
- Time missed from work
- Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- Travel to medical appointments
- Home modifications (like ramps or railings)
Every case is different, but one thing stays the same: Florida law protects your right to seek compensation when someone else’s carelessness causes you harm. You shouldn’t be left paying the price for their failure to keep you safe.
Florida Slip and Fall Laws — What You Need to Know
When you’re hurt after a slip and fall, the legal side of things can feel overwhelming. But here’s the basics in plain language, so you know where you stand.
Property Owners Have a Duty to Keep You Safe
Under Florida Statute 768.0755, property owners, from store owners to landlords, are required to take reasonable steps to maintain their property and address any dangerous conditions. That includes:
- Cleaning up spills
- Fixing broken floors or steps
- Warning visitors of hazards
If they knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition and didn’t fix it, they can be held responsible.
Proving the Property Owner’s Negligence
Florida law focuses on whether the property owner had:
- Actual Knowledge: They were aware of the hazard (maybe an employee saw it and ignored it)
- Constructive Knowledge: The hazard existed long enough that they should have discovered it
For example, if a grocery store leaves a spilled drink on the floor for 30 minutes without cleaning it up, that’s likely considered constructive knowledge.
Time Limits Matter — Florida’s Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Case
You have two years from the date of your slip and fall to file a lawsuit in Florida, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). But waiting makes it harder to prove your case as evidence fades, and witnesses forget details. In wrongful death cases tied to a slip and fall, the deadline is two years.
How Our Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
We’ve seen how devastating a preventable injury can be, and how life-changing justice feels when you finally hold the responsible party accountable.
In one of our latest cases, after being seriously injured at a Walmart during Black Friday shopping, Rachel turned to our team. Despite Walmart’s attempts to avoid responsibility, our firm, led by partner Neil P. Anthony, took her case to trial and secured a $6.2 million jury verdict. That outcome covered her medical expenses, pain and suffering, and sent a clear message: corporations can’t cut corners on safety without consequences.
Your case might not make headlines, but to us, it’s just as important. If you’ve been hurt because someone else didn’t do their job, whether it happened in a store, on a sidewalk, or in a parking lot, you deserve answers, support, and a legal team that fights for you.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our slip and fall attorneys help slip and fall victims get the compensation they deserve, and we don’t back down when companies or insurance adjusters try to avoid responsibility.