Slip and fall accidents happen fast. One moment you’re walking normally, and the next you’re hurt, confused, and unsure what to do. It might feel like a minor accident, but these falls can lead to serious injuries—some that don’t show up right away.
What you do right after matters, not just for your health, but also if you decide to take legal action later. This checklist will walk you through the steps you should take after a fall to protect yourself and build a strong case if needed.
Step 1 – Assess the Situation and Try to Document the Scene
If you’ve just fallen, take a moment to breathe and see if you can move safely. Don’t jump up too quickly. If you’re in serious pain, stay where you are and ask someone nearby to get help. But if you’re able to move, start paying attention to your surroundings right away.
Look at what caused the fall. Was the floor wet? Was there something left in the walkway? Was the ground uneven or broken? Use your phone to take photos of the exact spot. Get close-up shots and wider ones that show the area clearly. These pictures can speak for you later if someone tries to deny what happened.
Corey Schafer, SEO Specialist at Florin|Roebig, shared, “Take a photo of your shoes and the clothes you’re wearing. If your clothes are ripped or wet, don’t change or wash them yet. They might help prove the impact of the fall. If you’re bleeding or bruised, take a picture of that too—these early details matter more than you think.”
If someone saw you fall, ask them for their name and number. Just say, “Would you mind if I get your contact info in case I need a statement later?” Most people are willing to help, and having a witness can be a huge help if the property owner tries to avoid responsibility.
You might feel shaken up in the moment, but try to stay calm and gather what you can. A few quick photos and a witness name can make all the difference later.
Step 2 – Report the Incident to the Property Owner or Manager
Once you’ve documented the scene and gathered what you can, the next thing you should do—before leaving the property—is report the fall. If you’re in a store, restaurant, office, or apartment building, find the manager, security guard, or someone in charge. Calmly explain what happened and ask them to create an incident report.
As Joseph Appel, Walnut Creek Personal Injury Attorneys at Appel Law Firm, shared, “Make sure the report includes the date, time, and exact location of the fall. If they don’t offer you a copy, ask for one. If they say they can’t give it to you, take a photo of the report with your phone before they file it.”
If they refuse to write a report at all, write down the name and job title of the person you spoke to and send a follow-up email or message summarizing your conversation—this creates a record that you did report the incident.
Keep your tone respectful and clear. Don’t argue, exaggerate, or downplay the situation. Just give the facts. Saying something like, “I slipped on the wet floor near the back aisle and hit my side,” is enough. Don’t say “I’m fine” or try to walk it off to avoid attention. Those words can be used against you later if you file a claim.
Reporting the accident immediately builds a timeline. If you wait days to report it, the property owner can claim the hazard wasn’t there—or that you made it up. A simple, timely report makes it much harder for them to deny responsibility later on.
Step 3 – Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you think your injury is small, don’t skip this step. A lot of people feel sore but walk away thinking they’ll be fine. Then the pain gets worse days later, and by the time they see a doctor, it’s harder to prove that the injury came from the fall. Seeing a doctor right after the accident creates a clear link between the fall and your injury.
Bart Siniard, Huntsville Personal Injury Lawyers of Siniard Law, shared a tip, “Go to urgent care, your primary doctor, or the ER—whatever makes sense based on your condition. Let the doctor know you were involved in a slip and fall accident and describe exactly how it happened. If you hit your head, landed on your back, twisted your ankle—be specific. The more details in your medical record, the stronger your case later.”
Don’t forget follow-up care. If the doctor tells you to rest, go for physical therapy, or take medication—do it. Insurance companies will look at whether you followed medical advice. If you stop going to appointments or ignore pain, they might argue that you weren’t really hurt or that your injury isn’t serious.
Also keep every medical document—discharge papers, prescriptions, X-rays, bills. These are proof not just of the injury, but of the cost and impact it had on your life. If you need crutches, a brace, or time off work, those details show the full picture. All of it matters when it’s time to demand fair compensation.
Step 4 – Preserve Physical Evidence
After you’ve left the scene and gotten medical care, hold on to anything that could help prove what happened. Start with the clothes and shoes you were wearing during the fall. Don’t wash or throw them away—even if they’re dirty, torn, or stained. These items might show signs of the fall like scuff marks, floor residue, or impact damage. In some cases, lawyers or investigators may use them to prove how the fall occurred.
Lee Steinberg, Flint Personal Injury Lawyers of Lee Steinberg Law Firm, shared, “Keep any receipts related to the accident. This includes prescriptions, medical devices like braces or crutches, transportation costs if you couldn’t drive, and anything else you had to pay for because of the injury.”
Save everything in one place—folders, envelopes, or digital copies on your phone or email. It’s much easier to deal with insurance companies and legal teams when all your proof is organized and ready.
If you wrote down notes after the fall—like how it happened, what you felt, or what people said—keep those too. Small details fade quickly, and your memory might change over time. A written note from the day of the accident can be powerful if your case goes to court.
Step 5 – Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice
After a slip and fall, you might get a call from the property owner’s insurance company. They may sound polite or act like they just want to “gather the facts.” But their real goal is to protect their client and pay you as little as possible—or nothing at all. That’s why you need to be very careful with what you say.
As Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator at Oberheiden P.C, said, “Do not give a recorded statement. Don’t guess or try to explain what happened in detail. If you say something like “I wasn’t watching where I was going,” or “I’m feeling okay now,” they can use that to argue that you were at fault or not injured.”
Even innocent phrases can be twisted later. Also, don’t sign anything they send you without speaking to a lawyer first. Some settlement offers are designed to make your claim go away quickly, and once you sign, you give up the right to ask for more—no matter how serious your injury turns out to be.
The best thing you can do is politely say, “I’m not ready to make a statement right now,” and then speak to a lawyer. That way, you stay protected and avoid saying anything that could hurt your claim later on.
Step 6 – Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If your fall led to medical treatment, missed work, or ongoing pain, it’s time to talk to a personal injury lawyer. You don’t need to face the legal process alone. A good lawyer knows how to collect evidence, deal with insurance companies, and build a case that shows how the property owner was at fault.
Charles M. Johnstone II, Charleston, West Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys at Johnstone & Gabhart, LLP, shared an insider secret, “Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, and many work on a contingency basis—meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. They only get paid if you win your case or reach a settlement. This makes it easier to get help, even if you’re worried about money.”
A lawyer will also make sure you don’t miss important deadlines. Every state has a time limit (called a statute of limitations) for filing injury claims. If you wait too long, you lose your right to take legal action—even if your case is strong. The sooner you speak to someone, the better your chances of getting full and fair compensation.
Having legal support doesn’t just improve your case—it also takes pressure off you. While you focus on healing, they handle the paperwork, the phone calls, the back-and-forth. And when it comes time to negotiate a settlement, they’ll know what your injury is really worth.
What You May or May Not Be Entitled To
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for more than just medical bills. This could include lost wages if you missed work, future medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and even emotional distress. If the injury has long-term effects or limits your ability to work, those damages may also be part of the claim.
However, not every fall leads to a successful case. If the property owner took reasonable steps to prevent accidents, or if you were clearly not paying attention (like texting while walking), your claim could be denied or reduced. A lawyer can help you understand what’s realistic in your situation and what evidence is needed to support it.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents can leave you dealing with pain, bills, and confusion all at once. But the actions you take in the first few hours and days after it happens can make a big difference in how your case turns out. Document everything, get medical help, protect your evidence, and don’t go up against insurance companies alone.
Even if the injury seems small at first, it’s worth taking seriously. You have rights—and following the right steps gives you the best chance to protect them.
