Were you or a friend or family member injured by a defective product, equipment, or a machine? Was the product recalled? Were you at home, in a public place, or at work? Regardless if you own the product, machine, or equipment, read on!
Before you do anything else, find out the exact steps you need to follow! You may have a potential defective product case or product liability claim.
1. Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured.
Do not delay treatment! Call 911 and request emergency medical services and an ambulance. As soon as emergency services arrive, explain the accident to the police and any injuries to EMS/Fire Rescue.
2. Report the accident immediately to the manager, landlord, homeowner, or other person in charge where the incident occurred.
Don’t discuss your feelings, just report the accident! Obtain a copy of any accident reports completed by the manager, homeowner, or landlord, if possible. They may not provide it to you– but it’s important to ask.
3. Don’t move it.
Don’t touch the product, machine or equipment that caused the injury. Don’t throw anything away. Don’t fix anything. The exact location and environment may be critical evidence.
4. Save it.
Save the entire defective product, machine, or equipment in the exact state you found and/or used it. Save anything that was around the product and/or affected by it (i.e.: keep anything that was burned or otherwise affected.)
5. Take pictures.
Take pictures of the defective product, machine or equipment in the exact location during the incident. Take pictures of any contributing factors. Take pictures of your injuries. This information may be important to the investigative process if there is a dispute about the liability portion of your case.
6. Take notes.
Take detailed notes describing where you purchased the product, equipment, or machine as well as step-by-step descriptions of how you used the product and what happened. Be sure to include the results and any side effects that occurred.
7. Take names.
Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any individual who witnessed the incident. If you spoke to someone after the injury, get their contact information as well. As a reminder for yourself, write down a physical description of the people that you dealt with in case you need to identify them at a later time.
8. Call an experienced, reputable personal injury attorney immediately.
Once you have left the scene or the Emergency Room, contact Goldman and Daszkal, P.A. at (954) 428-9333 for a free consultation about your rights and obligations. Because certain documents must be filed shortly after the incident, if you don’t contact an attorney soon after the injury, you may not get the opportunity to protect your rights and receive proper compensation.
9. Do not discuss details of your injuries. While you do need to report the accident to the facility owner or manager, do not discuss your feelings or detailed information about your injuries with anyone other than the police, emergency medical services, and your attorney. Giving facility owners or managers information about your case may give them the opportunity to lock you into a comment that ultimately benefits them.
Now, send this important post to at least one friend or family member.
Questions? Contact us at 888-504-HURT (4878)
Goldman & Daszkal, P.A.
Since 1990, Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. has provided reputable legal representation to people throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. The firm has helped thousands of individuals recover compensation from motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, product defect and liability cases, pharmacy errors, and negligent security cases to cover medical expenses, pay bills, take care of their families, and return to work. Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. can help you get the relief you need to start living your life again after a serious injury. For a free and confidential consultation, contact Goldman & Daszkal, P.A., at 888-504-HURT (4878).