An incident report is used to document an accident that may have caused injuries and damages to a victim. Of note, certain stores have policies that require store incident reports to be filled out in the event that one of their visitors suffers a slip and fall on their property. Read on to discover how necessary it is to get a store incident report and how a seasoned Toronto slip and fall lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help in gathering the rest of your evidence.
How necessary is it to get a store incident report?
A department store owner and/or store manager owe you and other visitors a duty of care. Meaning, they are responsible for clearing any potential hazards from their property, whether it be in the parking lot, walkways, restrooms, fitting rooms, checkout lanes, or otherwise. So when they fail to uphold this duty, you may get hurt while you are shopping.
If this is your case, then you must demand that a department store owner and/or store manager fill out a store incident report. This report should acknowledge that your slip and fall accident indeed occurred, along with any other relevant information. Soon after, you must request that a department store owner and/or store manager provide you with a copy of the store incident report, along with sending another copy to the store’s insurance company. Nonetheless, it is necessary to take this initiative for the sake of your potential, future personal injury claim.
You must not get into an altercation if a department store owner and/or store manager refuses to conduct this report. This is because you do not want to do or say anything that may be used against you in your claim. Instead, you must contact your local law enforcement to come to the store. An officer will conduct an official accident report and offer you a receipt later on.
What is other necessary information to collect?
As the plaintiff of a personal injury claim, you hold a burden of proof. Meaning, you are responsible for collecting enough evidence that shows how a department store owner’s and/or store manager’s negligence directly contributed to your slip and fall accident. Such evidence goes far beyond a copy of a store incident report. That is, you must gather these additional pieces of necessary information:
- Photographs and videos of the hazards present in the department store.
- Witness accounts and contact information.
- Copies of your medical reports.
- Copies of your medical bills.
- Any communication between you and the department store owner, department store manager, and/or department store insurance company.
The first step to take in your legal action is always to make a phone call. Without further ado, pick up the phone and contact a competent Ontario personal injury lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. today.
