When you slip and fall in a store, especially during the rainy, icy months of November in Stillwater, it can lead to serious injuries and confusion. The shock and pain of the accident can make it difficult to think clearly. However, if you plan to pursue a legal claim for your injuries, gathering evidence on the same day is essential to building a strong case.
In Stillwater, as well as in many parts of Oklahoma, the changing weather conditions during the fall can create a dangerous combination of wet leaves, early ice, and puddles of rainwater inside retail spaces. These conditions can cause people to lose their footing and suffer significant injuries. If you’ve fallen in a store during these times, you might be wondering how you can protect your rights and ensure that your case is well-supported. Collecting critical evidence as soon as possible is key. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you need to do if you slip and fall in a Stillwater store.
1. Report the Incident to Store Management 
The first and most important step is to report the accident immediately to the store management. The store is legally obligated to record the incident, and this documentation can become a pivotal piece of evidence for your case.
Ask to speak with the store manager or supervisor, and make sure that the incident is officially documented. If the store does not have a formal accident report, ask them to write down the details of the event, including the location, time, and any contributing factors such as wet or slippery conditions. Additionally, if the store has a security or surveillance system, request that the footage be preserved, as it could help demonstrate the dangerous conditions present when you fell.
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2. Take Photos and Videos of the Scene
One of the most important pieces of evidence you can gather after a slip and fall incident is visual documentation. Use your phone or camera to capture as many details as possible. Photograph the area where you fell, focusing on the specific conditions that led to the accident.
Some key areas to focus on include:
- The Surface: Take clear pictures of any wet patches, puddles, or areas covered in leaves, ice, or snow.
- The Surrounding Area: Capture the layout of the store around the fall site to show the proximity of hazards. Ensure that you document whether there was any signage warning customers about the dangerous conditions.
- Your Injuries: If possible, photograph your injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or swelling, to show the extent of the damage.
If you can, take video as well. Videos provide a dynamic representation of the conditions in the store and can be more compelling than still photos.
3. Document the Weather Conditions
November in Stillwater is known for sudden changes in weather, and these weather conditions often contribute to slip and fall accidents. Rain, early snow, and fallen leaves can create dangerous conditions both inside and outside of the store.
Document the weather for the specific time and date of your fall. You can use online weather services to retrieve historical weather reports, or if possible, take a screenshot of the forecast from the time of the accident. If the conditions were particularly hazardous, this evidence could be crucial in proving that the store was negligent in maintaining a safe environment.
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4. Find and Document Witnesses
If there were other people around when you fell, make sure to get their contact information. Witness testimony can play a major role in proving that the store was at fault for not addressing hazardous conditions.
Ask any witnesses for their names and phone numbers, and, if possible, a brief description of what they saw. If you can get written statements from them later, that would be even more helpful. Witnesses can corroborate your version of events, making it more difficult for the store to deny liability.
5. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel like you’ve been seriously injured right after the fall, it’s important to seek medical attention. Some injuries, such as sprains, fractures, or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.
Visiting a doctor or the emergency room will create a medical record of your injuries that can serve as evidence in your case. It also helps establish a timeline between the accident and the injuries you sustained. When documenting your injuries, ensure that you provide a detailed account to your healthcare provider about how the incident occurred. This will help them link your injuries to the fall.
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6. Preserve the Footwear You Were Wearing
In many slip and fall cases, the shoes a person was wearing can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. The type of shoes you were wearing when you fell could play a role in proving whether the store was at fault for not providing safe walking conditions.
For example, if your shoes had worn-out soles or were unsuitable for wet or icy conditions, this could affect the case. However, it’s essential to preserve the shoes in their original condition. You should avoid wearing them after the fall to prevent altering the state of the footwear, which could be an important piece of evidence in proving your case.
7. Write Down Everything You Remember About the Fall
In the aftermath of a fall, it’s easy to forget some of the details. That’s why it’s important to write down everything you remember as soon as possible. Try to recall every aspect of the incident, such as:
- How you fell: Did you slip, trip, or lose your balance?
- What caused the fall: Were there wet leaves, rain puddles, or ice on the floor?
- The store’s response: Did the staff acknowledge the accident? Were they helpful?
Writing these details down immediately after the accident will help you avoid forgetting any important facts that could be used later in the claim.
8. Check the Store’s History and Maintenance Policies
If you’ve suffered a serious injury, it’s important to know whether the store has a history of similar accidents. Look into whether the store has been cited for dangerous conditions in the past. If they have, this could be evidence of a pattern of negligence.
Additionally, review the store’s maintenance policies. Were they following the required procedures for keeping the store floor safe in bad weather conditions? This information can help determine if the store was negligent in maintaining safe premises.
9. Consider Consulting an Attorney
If you’ve slipped and fallen in a Stillwater store, the next step should be to consult a personal injury attorney who specializes in slip and fall cases. An experienced attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal process, gather additional evidence, and negotiate with the store’s insurance company.
The team at Murray Law Firm in Stillwater, OK, specializes in personal injury claims, including slip and fall cases. Our attorneys have the experience and expertise to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can assist you in handling your claim.
Slip and fall accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, especially when the weather is less than ideal. If you’ve fallen due to wet, icy, or slippery conditions in a Stillwater store, gathering the right evidence on the same day can make all the difference in your case. By following these steps—reporting the accident, documenting the scene, and preserving medical records—you can protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim.
If you need assistance after a slip and fall accident, don’t hesitate to contact Murray Law Firm. Our skilled attorneys will fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.