People don’t usually anticipate getting injured while visiting a store. However, individuals can sustain severe injuries due to the store’s negligence. When this is the case, taking the necessary steps to protect your rights is critical. This includes filing a store incident report. If you have been injured while in a retail store, contact a skilled Westchester County Slip and Fall Lawyer who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Keep reading to learn more about filing a store incident report after an accident.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF FILING A STORE INCIDENT REPORT IN PREMISES LIABILITY CASES?
When pursuing a premises liability case for a slip and fall accident, you will be burdened with fulfilling the burden of proof. You must demonstrate to the court that the store’s negligence directly caused your injuries. Therefore, you must collect sufficient evidence at the accident scene.
If you suffer any injury, no matter how minor, it is critical to report the incident to the store manager. Once notified, the store manager must file an incident report and gather all the necessary details to provide a complete account of what happened. Victims must provide the store manager with relevant information that gives them a full picture of what happened. However, it is imperative to be careful of what you say as you may inadvertently take the blame for the incident, which could hinder your ability to collect monetary compensation for your damages. If you say something that makes it seem like the incident was your fault, it can be used against you to minimize the store’s liability. To avoid this, stick to the facts.
In the incident report, you should include the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed your injury. This consists of the names of store employees and the on-duty store manager. Identifying witnesses is critical as they can corroborate your claim. Before leaving the store, it is imperative to demand a copy of the incident report. If they do not let you take a copy of the report, you should at least take a photo of the information as a safeguard. If any changes occur to the report, you can prove that it has been altered. Sometimes, the store may change the incident report to make it seem like its negligence did not cause the accident.
Contact a competent Westchester County slip-and-fall lawyer if you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to a retail store’s negligence. With years of experience, our firm is prepared to help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.