Premises liability claims arise when someone gets injured on someone else’s property due to negligence.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to gather evidence to support your claim.
Photographic evidence
In 2022, 227,039 individuals died and 63 million received injuries in accidents that could have been prevented. If you get hurt on someone else’s property, take pictures of the scene where the accident occurred. Capture any hazards, such as wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces or poor lighting. Also, document your injuries and any property damage resulting from the incident.
Reports and statements
If the accident occurred in a commercial establishment, request a copy of any incident reports completed by the property owner or manager. These reports may contain important details about the incident and the conditions of the premises at the time. Look into whether similar accidents have occurred on the property in the past. Any documented history of incidents can strengthen your case by indicating a pattern of negligence.
Also, obtain contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. Their statements can support and corroborate your account of what happened.
Medical records
Keep all the medical records related to your injury. This includes hospital records, doctor’s notes, prescriptions and bills. Also, collect records that show your adherence to your treatment plan.
Property records
Official reports or inspections may reveal ongoing maintenance issues or safety concerns that contributed to the accident. Also, request maintenance records to show whether the owner was aware of the issue that caused the accident and neglected to fix it. Expert opinions from engineers or safety inspectors who can assess the property conditions and provide professional insights into the cause of the accident.
As you gather your evidence, do so promptly, as evidence can deteriorate or get lost over time.