In a court of law, details like how, when, where and who are important. An incident report provides an account of such details, which are admissible during trials and negotiations. You can bet that the owners of the site where the incident occurred and the insurance companies will make sure to tell their sides of the story, so you must ensure that your account is also heard.
How does filing an incident report help your slip and fall case?
An incident report helps to prove that your injury occurred when and how it did. It solidifies the details and serves as proof that the incident happened, especially to the responsible party’s insurance company. The other party’s insurance company will likely be looking to deny your claims, and it’s more difficult for them to do so if there is proof of your injury in an incident report.
There is no reason not to file an incident report
If you do decide to pursue legal action or file insurance claims, an incident report is an invaluable resource. On the flipside, filing an incident report does not require you to pursue any sort of legal action down the road.
When should you file an incident report?
Legal experts recommend that you complete an incident report right after your fall unless you require medical care. If this is the case, once doctors have treated you, return to the scene of the incident as soon as possible to file the incident report. Inform the owners or management of the site of the incident and the details that you would like to submit in an incident report, but do not engage in a back-and-forth dispute with them over the details.
The laws surrounding injury reports and slip and fall cases can be complicated, and a lawyer can help figure out the best course of action for your case.