It happens fast. One moment you’re crossing the shiny tile floor of a Dallas grocery store, balancing a coffee and your car keys. The next, your feet skid out from under you and you’re staring at the ceiling lights, wondering what just happened.
Slip-and-fall accidents can feel humiliating in the moment—most of us just want to get up, brush off, and leave. But in the days that follow, reality sets in: the pain, the medical bills, the missed work. What you do in the first 72 hours after a fall can make or break your claim. Evidence disappears quickly, and under Texas premises liability law, the burden of proof rests squarely on the injured person.
This is your step-by-step evidence plan to protect your health and your case.
Why Slip-and-Falls Matter More Than People Think
Falls aren’t just minor mishaps. According to the CDC’s fall injury statistics, millions of Americans are treated for fall-related injuries each year, and thousands die as a result. In Dallas, with its busy shopping centers, high-rise office towers, and aging apartment complexes, the risks are everywhere.
Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. If they ignore hazards—like a spill in a store aisle, broken stairs in an apartment complex, or poor lighting in a parking garage—they can be held responsible when someone gets hurt. That’s the heart of premises liability law in Dallas.
Hour 1: Get Medical Care First
It’s tempting to shrug off a fall as embarrassing but harmless. Don’t. Adrenaline often masks serious injuries—fractures, concussions, even internal bleeding.
Go to the ER, urgent care, or your doctor right away. Explain clearly: “I fell at [location] because of [hazard].” These details matter. They create a direct link between your injury and the accident, something insurers look for.
Just like in car accident claims in Texas, quick medical documentation is your strongest proof that the injury was caused by the incident—not something else later.
Hour 2–6: Report the Incident
Tell the store manager, landlord, or building supervisor about your fall. Request a written incident report and keep a copy. If they refuse, note the person’s name, position, and the time of your report.
This step locks in that the business was aware of the accident. Without it, owners may later claim they never knew it happened.
Hour 6–12: Document the Scene
Your phone is your best ally. Take photos and videos of:
- The hazard itself (spill, loose rug, cracked concrete).
- The surroundings (warning signs—or the lack of them).
- Conditions at the time (weather, lighting, crowding).
Include something for scale, like a shoe or coin. Later, juries and insurers need context to see just how dangerous the condition was.
In Texas truck accident claims, black box data preserves the truth. In slip-and-falls, photos and videos do the same.
Hour 12–24: Gather Witnesses
Dallas is rarely empty. Chances are, someone saw your fall or the hazard that caused it. Approach politely and ask for their name and phone number. Even a short statement like “The floor was wet and there was no sign” can tip the balance in your favor.
Hour 24–48: Preserve Critical Evidence
Here’s the catch: stores and landlords don’t keep records forever. Video footage might be overwritten in a matter of days. Cleaning logs might disappear. That’s why attorneys often send a spoliation letter—a formal request requiring the property owner to preserve evidence such as:
- Surveillance video.
- Cleaning and maintenance logs.
- Work orders and incident reports.
This is standard practice in premises liability cases, and it can be decisive.
Hour 48–72: Start Your Personal Record
Now it’s your turn to preserve evidence from the inside out. Start a journal:
- Track your daily pain levels.
- Note missed work shifts or family activities.
- Save receipts for medications, braces, Ubers to the doctor.
This is more than memory—it’s proof. Courts recognize diaries, expense logs, and calendars as real evidence of how an injury affected your life.
In the most tragic cases, slip-and-falls can even lead to death. Families may need to consider wrongful death claims in Texas—and here, detailed documentation is critical.
Why Acting Fast Is Everything
Think about it this way:
- Day 1: You take photos and report the incident.
- Day 3: Surveillance video is erased, hazard is fixed, manager “forgets.”
- Day 30: You file a claim. The defense argues: “There’s no proof anything happened.”
By acting in the first 72 hours, you make sure your side of the story doesn’t vanish.
Safety and Responsibility
Falls don’t just happen in supermarkets. Workplaces are another hotspot. OSHA maintains extensive resources on workplace fall hazards, from construction sites to office stairwells.
Property owners and employers know the risks—and they know how to prevent them. When they don’t, the law allows you to hold them accountable.
Final Thoughts
Slip-and-fall cases aren’t about making a scene or chasing a payout. They’re about fairness. If someone else’s negligence upends your health, your work, or your family’s wellbeing, you deserve the chance to be made whole.
The 72-hour evidence plan is simple but powerful:
- Seek medical care.
- Report the incident.
- Document the scene.
- Gather witnesses.
- Preserve records.
- Keep your own diary.
Do these things, and you’ll have a strong foundation for your case.
At Wolf Law, we move quickly to preserve evidence, confront insurers, and protect your rights.
Call Wolf Law today for a free consultation.