# Slipped and fell at a store: what to do > Check if you’re hurt, tell the manager and ask for an incident report, and take photos of what made you fall right away. Get witness names, keep your shoes and clothes, and see a doctor. Don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement to their insurance until you understand your rights. - URL: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=slip-and-fall ## Step by step 1. **Slipped and fell at a store?** Wet floors, broken steps, loose mats and icy sidewalks cause a lot of falls. Here’s what to do. 2. **First, check if you’re hurt.** Don’t rush to get up. If your head, neck or back hurts, or you can’t stand, ask someone to call 911. 3. **Tell the manager and ask for an incident report.** Ask for a copy, or at least take a photo of it. Get the manager’s name and the date and time. 4. **Take photos right away.** Photograph what made you fall, like a spill, a crack or poor lighting, and whether there was a warning sign. Spills get cleaned up fast. 5. **Ask people who saw it for their names and numbers.** Witnesses can say what the floor looked like before the store cleaned it. 6. **Keep the shoes and clothes you wore.** Don’t wash or throw them away. They can help show what happened. 7. **See a doctor, and keep every bill.** Some injuries, like a hurt back or a concussion, show up later. Bills and notes show how you were hurt. 8. **A few things to avoid.** The store’s insurance may call fast. Be polite, but don’t sign or give a recorded statement until you understand your rights. 9. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. 10. **Do you need a lawyer?** Property owners must keep places reasonably safe. If they didn’t and you were hurt, a free call with an injury lawyer can help. There are deadlines, so don’t wait too long. ## Checklist - Check if you’re hurt - Tell the manager and get an incident report - Take photos right away - Get witness names and numbers - Keep your shoes and clothes - See a doctor and keep every bill - Don’t sign anything from their insurance yet ## Right after the fall - Don’t rush to get up. If your head, neck or back hurts, or you can’t stand, ask someone to call 911. - Tell the manager or owner. Ask for an incident report and a copy, or take a photo of it. - Take photos of what made you fall: a spill, a crack, a loose mat, poor lighting, and whether there was a warning sign. - Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. ## In the days after Keep the shoes and clothes you wore, without washing them. See a doctor, even if you feel okay, and keep every bill and note. ## Be careful with insurance calls The property owner’s insurance may call quickly. Be polite, but don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement until you understand your rights. ## Do you need a lawyer? Property owners must keep places reasonably safe. If they didn’t and you were hurt, a free call with an injury lawyer can help. There are deadlines, which vary by state. ## Common questions ### Can I still have a case if I was partly at fault? In many states, yes, but your share of fault can reduce what you receive. The rules vary by state. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/can-i-still-have-a-case-if-i-was-partly-at-fault ### How long do I have to file a claim? Each state has a deadline, often a few years for injuries, but some cases, like claims against a city, can be much shorter. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/how-long-do-i-have-to-file-a-claim ### Who is responsible when you fall at a store? Often the property owner or business, if they knew or should have known about the danger and didn’t fix it or warn you. Each case depends on the facts. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/who-is-responsible-when-you-fall-at-a-store ### What if I fell at a friend’s house? Their homeowners or renters insurance may cover your medical bills, often without blaming anyone. Many policies include a small “medical payments” coverage for guests. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/what-if-i-fell-at-a-friends-house ### What if I fell on a city sidewalk? The city or the property owner may be responsible, depending on local rules. Claims against a city often have very short deadlines, sometimes only months, so act quickly. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/what-if-i-fell-on-a-city-sidewalk ### How much is a slip and fall case worth? There’s no standard number. It depends on your medical bills, lost pay, how serious the injury is, and who was at fault. Be wary of anyone who promises a figure early. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/how-much-is-a-slip-and-fall-case-worth ### Do I have to pay an injury lawyer up front? Usually not. Most injury lawyers work on contingency: they’re paid a share of what you recover, and nothing if you don’t. Ask about fees and costs in writing. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/do-i-have-to-pay-an-injury-lawyer-up-front ### Should I accept the first settlement offer? Not before you know how badly you’re hurt and what your treatment will cost. Once you accept, you usually can’t ask for more. Source page: https://explained.page/slip-and-fall/questions/should-i-accept-the-first-settlement-offer ## Official sources - [Legal Services Corporation: free legal aid](https://www.lsc.gov/) - [USA.gov](https://www.usa.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] personal injury statute of limitations" - "[your state] bar association lawyer referral" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.