Say, for instance, that you encounter a hazard while shopping at a store. And say that, ultimately, you incur serious injuries and damages that could have been easily avoided otherwise. In a case like this, you must report your slip and fall accident so that you may have a chance at recovering financial compensation for your troubles. This is when a store incident report is useful. Read on to discover what a store incident report is used for and how a seasoned Kaufman County, Texas slip & fall lawyer at Harrell & Paulson, LLP can help you with your insurance and personal injury claims.
What Is an Incident Report versus A Police Report?
First of all, a store incident report may be conducted by a store owner or manager who wishes to document what may or may not have caused harm to an individual present on their premises. This report may be used as supporting documentation if an investigation is conducted by a law enforcement officer or if legal action is taken by the harmed individual later on. Of note, a store likely has a policy in place that requires one of its owners or managers to fill out this report in the event of a slip and fall.
And as you may likely assume yourself, a police report is conducted by a law enforcement officer that responds to the accident. This report may include information gathered from a law enforcement officer’s investigation of the scene. Nonetheless, both reports are equally important to be initiated.
What Is a Store Incident Report Used for In a Personal Injury Claim?
You must request that a store owner or manager provide you with a copy of the store incident report while you are still present at the scene. In addition, you must ask that they send a copy to the store’s insurance company as soon as possible.
This is because a store incident report may be used as a vital piece of proof for your personal injury claim. It may provide details such as your accident’s date, time, and location (i.e., the store’s parking lot, sidewalk, aisle, elevator, escalator, stairway, etc).
It may also include a brief summary of the events that led up to your accident and the hazards at play. This summary may even hint at an admittance of fault from a store owner or manager. Overall, this information may tie a store owner’s or manager’s negligence directly to your accident and your subsequent injuries and damages. This is exactly the argument you need to earn a financial award.
The first step that you must take in your legal action is to make a phone call. Without further ado, pick up the phone and contact a competent Kaufman, Texas personal injury attorney from Harell & Paulson, LLP today.
