Stores and other establishments owe everyone that enters their property a duty of care. This means they must reasonably maintain a safe environment to prevent accidents and injuries. Unfortunately, when the appropriate parties fail to uphold their legal duty, shoppers can suffer devastating injuries when they least expect it. When pursuing legal action to recover monetary compensation for your damages, you will be burdened with fulfilling the burden of proof. To maximize your chances of satisfying the burden of proof, there are specific steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of an accident. This includes filing a store incident report. If you have been injured in a retail store, contact a dedicated Middlesex County Slip and Fall Accident Attorney who can help you fight for just compensation. Continue reading to learn the significance of a store incident report.
Should I file a store incident report after an accident?
As mentioned above, victims are burdened with satisfying the burden of proof when pursuing a premises liability case. This means they must prove that the store’s negligence directly caused their injuries and damages. To do this, it is beneficial to gather evidence if physically able to do so in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident. After seeking medical attention, you should notify the store manager of the incident. Once the store manager is alerted, they should complete a store incident report. A store incident report is a form that outlines pertinent facts about the incident, such as the date, time, people involved, hazardous property conditions, injuries sustained, and other relevant information regarding the incident. Filing a store incident report is especially important if there were no witnesses to your injury, as it effectively will preserve evidence that can corroborate your claim.
It is imperative to complete a store incident report as it corroborates that the accident happened and provides a record of critical information that can help establish liability. When speaking to the store manager, you must stick to the facts. Often, victims accidentally take the blame for the accident. However, this is a massive mistake as the store can use what you say against you to minimize their liability. Nevertheless, you should give a full account of what happened. You need to be careful of what you say, as it could hinder your ability to recover compensation for your damages.
If you have been injured in a retail store due to negligence, you need a determined Middlesex County slip and fall accident attorney. Our firm is committed to helping our clients secure the fair compensation they deserve. Allow our firm to represent your interests today to maximize your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
