What Should You Do After a West Palm Beach, FL Beach Slip and Fall?

A: You just endured a serious West Palm Beach, FL beach slip and fall. Whether you hurt yourself on the beach itself or on a boardwalk eatery abutting the ocean, you have an urgent crisis on your hands. What steps should you take?

• First and foremost, get emergency medical attention. Slip and fall victims, particularly those who suffer from head injuries, may not realize how hurt they really are until hours or days later. Play it safe. Call 9-1-1 or make an appointment to speak with a physician soon.

• Collect evidence from the scene. Collect more evidence than you think you will need. Take pictures. Write and record witness statements. Record your own account of events as soon as possible. Be specific and collect information from diverse sources. Gather photographs, medical reports, police statements, and witness accounts if possible.

• Watch what you say. When you slip and fall at a West Palm Beach, FL beachfront store or eatery – or anywhere else, for that matter – your instinct might be to apologize for “looking like a klutz” or causing an inconvenience. But if you even mention statements to the effect of “I should have watched where I was going” or “I'm not hurt that badly, I'll be okay,” you can do serious, perhaps irreparable damage to your potential case. Keep quiet about issues such as fault. Conversely, if you notice someone else admit fault, make careful note of exactly what that person said. Write it down.

• Connect with an experienced West Palm Beach slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after you deal with your urgent medical situation to discuss your best next steps.