Slip and fall accidents are the most common causes for personal injury lawyers during the winter months. This could be because of icy conditions, inadequate maintenance, poorly designed stairs or other dangerous conditions. 

If you or a loved one have slipped, tripped or fallen on someone else’s property, you could be entitled to compensation. 

Here are nine things you need to know about slip and fall accidents. 

1.The Owner Is Always Responsible
If you own, manage or maintain a property in Ontario, it is your legal duty to keep it safe for anyone who uses it. Failure to do so can result in you being sued for negligence. 

2. File A Police Report
It is crucial that you file a police report in order to begin a paper trail of your injuries. This is especially true if you intend on pursuing a personal injury lawsuit because the report can help to back up your claim. 

3. See A Doctor
Make sure to see a doctor immediately after your fall. This is to get treatment for your injury, as well as continue your paper trail for your lawsuit. Insist that your doctor takes written notes of every symptom and complaint. 

4. See A Personal Injury Lawyer
A Hamilton Personal Injury Lawyer can help you decide the best course of action after your slip and fall accident. If you have a soft tissue injury, you’ll want to ensure your legal representation has experience with that area. Whoever you retain, request to see their track record and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

5. Sue for Wage Loss
In addition to compensation, you can also sue for lost wages. Homeowners usually have liability insurance policies with limits of $1million, which protects homeowners from having to pay for claims out of pocket. You can financially recover from wage loss, but you will have to sue for it.

6. Talk To Your Insurance Company
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have to go on short-term disability. If you don’t have insurance coverage, you could be eligible for EI sick benefits if you have enough hours at your job to qualify. Speak to your insurance company to determine your amount of coverage. 

7. Keep All Your Receipts
To be compensated for your incurred expenses, you must sue. Your receipts for all your physiotherapy helps to form part of your litigation. Unlike car accident cases, your treatment is not covered through an insurance provider and coverage through OHIP is unlikely. For this reason, it is important to keep track of all your expenses. 

8. Follow Through With A Treatment Plan
Always follow through with the treatment plan created by your doctor or physiotherapist. Not only will it help your recovery, but it will establish the impact of a soft tissue injury. If you don’t follow through with your recommended plan, it can be used against you in court. This will minimize your claim and leave you without compensation for your injuries.

9. Use Common Sense
If you are a property owner, make it a priority to properly maintain your space. It can not only prevent you from getting sued, but it can prevent life-altering injuries from happening to another person. Alternately, every individual must take precautions to protect themselves during the winter months. Weather appropriate footwear and be aware of your surroundings. 

We can all work together to keep safe.