Guide
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
Quick answer
Immediate steps for safety, reporting, photos, and medical care after a fall on someone else’s property.
Secure medical care first
If you hit your head, cannot bear weight, or feel neurological symptoms, seek emergency care. For less dramatic injuries, same-day evaluation still creates a clear medical record.
Report the incident before you leave
Notify a manager, landlord, or property representative. Ask that an incident report be created and request a copy or at least the report number and the employee’s name.
Photograph conditions carefully
Capture the hazard (liquid, uneven tile, missing handrail), wider context showing lighting, and your footwear. If the hazard is cleaned quickly, photos may be your strongest evidence.
Identify witnesses and cameras
Ask nearby customers or tenants what they saw. Note camera domes on ceilings — many stores overwrite video within days or weeks.
Avoid recorded speculation
You can describe what happened factually without guessing how long a spill sat or who is legally responsible. Premises cases turn on notice and reasonableness — topics for careful evaluation later.