When someone falls on your property, it opens a Pandora’s box of issues that could arise, especially if the injury is serious. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, reported that falling on someone’s property is one of the most common injuries.
Falls are commonly caused by slipping, but many factors can contribute to such an incident.
Falls on Your Property and What to Do
Somebody may be working on an elevated surface, for example, or they may trip on an obstacle.
No matter what the exact cause is, the result is the same. Thus, dealing with the potential liability and expenses associated with their injury. Can someone legally press charges after falling on your property?
Get Medical Care as Soon as Possible
The first thing to do immediately after a fall is to get the person in question medical care as soon as possible. You should insist they seek medical treatment to rule out any significant complications if there are severe injuries. It means you may need to call 911 and request an ambulance to transport the individual to the hospital. Likewise, you may need to coordinate an appointment at an urgent care facility.
Examine Where the Fall Happened
Once the person has received access to medical care, you must inspect the site where they fell. Then, you must identify any factors that may have contributed to the incident. If the flooring in question is carpet, find any issues. Thus, examine it to ensure that there are no creases or folds the individual may have tripped on. Take photographs of the incident, so you have documentation.
File a Detailed Incident Report
After closely examining where the person fell, you should create a report detailing your findings and explicating the events involved in their injury. The conclusions should describe the individual’s name, the area where they fell, the conditions at the time, and the medical care they received. You should also include any photos you took and any other relevant evidence.
Consider Seeking Legal Representation
Lawsuits are not great, especially when someone falls on your property. Unfortunately, it is a possibility. Even if you are not responsible for their injury, a person can try to collect damages from you based on the accusation that you are liable. The best way to protect yourself is to invest in general liability insurance. You may also consider seeking legal advice from a lawyer specializing in premises liability.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
