The moments right after a fall are disorienting, and what you do in the next few hours can shape whether you’re able to recover compensation later. Whether it happened at a store in Southaven or on a cracked sidewalk in downtown Oxford, the steps you take immediately after a slip and fall in Mississippi matter just as much as the fall itself. At Campbell Law, we walk slip and fall injury victims across Lee, Lafayette, DeSoto, Grenada, and Washington counties through exactly what to do, and what to avoid, in the aftermath.
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY
Even if you feel like you can walk it off, some injuries, like concussions, soft tissue damage, or fractures, don’t show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor does two things: it protects your health, and it creates a medical record connecting your injury to the fall. Waiting days to be seen gives an insurance company room to argue your injury happened somewhere else.
REPORT THE FALL TO THE PROPERTY OWNER OR MANAGER
Before you leave the scene, report what happened to a manager, employee, or property owner and ask for a written incident report. Get a copy if possible, or at minimum, note the name of the person you spoke with and the date and time of the report.
DOCUMENT THE SCENE BEFORE IT CHANGES
Take photos and video of exactly what caused the fall: the wet floor, the broken step, the pothole, the missing handrail. Businesses often clean up or repair hazards within hours, so this evidence disappears fast. Photograph the area from multiple angles, and include your shoes and any visible injuries.
GET WITNESS INFORMATION
If anyone saw the fall, get their name and phone number before they leave. Witness statements carry significant weight, especially when surveillance footage isn’t available or gets deleted before a claim is filed.
PRESERVE YOUR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
Don’t wash or discard the shoes and clothes you were wearing. Insurance companies sometimes try to argue your footwear caused the fall, and having the actual items available can disprove that argument.
WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER A SLIP AND FALL
Don’t give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first, and don’t sign anything they hand you at the scene. Avoid posting about the accident on social media, since insurers do look for posts that can be used to downplay your injury. For a full breakdown of how these tactics work, see our guide on what to do when an insurance company denies or lowballs your claim.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR RECOVERY
Follow through on every recommended treatment and appointment, and keep a simple record of how the injury affects your daily life. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurance companies undervalue a claim.
MISSISSIPPI LAW ON PREMISES LIABILITY AND FILING DEADLINES
Mississippi generally gives injury victims three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under the state’s general statute of limitations. Premises liability claims are evaluated under Mississippi’s negligence and pure comparative fault framework.
HOW CAMPBELL LAW HELPS AFTER A SLIP AND FALL
Jason Campbell has guided slip and fall injury victims across Tupelo, Oxford, Southaven, Greenville, and Water Valley through this exact process, often stepping in within days of a fall to secure surveillance footage before it’s overwritten. If you’re still deciding whether your fall qualifies as a claim, our overview of common types of slip and fall claims in Mississippi is a good place to start.
Campbell Law reviews slip and fall cases on contingency — if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay. Don’t gamble, call Campbell Law today..
CALL TO ACTION
The sooner you call after a fall, the more evidence we can help preserve. Reach out to Campbell Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Should I see a doctor even if I feel okay after a fall?
Yes. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away, and a medical record created soon after the fall is one of the strongest pieces of evidence connecting your injury to the accident. Call 662-537-4921 if you’re unsure what to do next.
What if the business didn't create an incident report?
You can still pursue a claim without one, though it helps to document as much as possible on your own, including photos, witness names, and notes about who you spoke to. Call 662-537-4921 for guidance on building your case.
Can I still file a claim if I didn't take photos at the scene?
Yes, though photos strengthen a case significantly. An attorney can still pursue surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements even without scene photos.
Is it okay to talk to the property owner's insurance company on my own?
It’s best to avoid giving a recorded statement or signing anything before speaking with an attorney, since these statements are often used to minimize your claim later. Call 662-537-4921 before responding to any insurance company.
How soon after a fall should I contact a lawyer?
As soon as possible. Evidence like surveillance footage often gets deleted within days or weeks, so early involvement can make a significant difference in your claim. Call 662-537-4921 right away after a fall.
