What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Ontario: A Legal Guide

January 07, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Winter is here and slip and fall accidents are among the most common personal injury cases in the winter in Ontario. Whether it’s a slippery sidewalk in winter or a wet floor inside a store, slip and falls can lead to serious injuries. Knowing what to do after a fall can make all the difference in ensuring that your rights are protected.

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately, it’s essential to see a doctor after a slip and fall accident. Injuries like concussions, sprains, and fractures may not show symptoms right away. A medical professional can assess the extent of your injuries and provide you with the necessary treatment.

Step 2: Report the Accident

If you’re injured on someone else’s property, it’s crucial to report the accident immediately. Whether it’s a private home, a business, or a public space, notifying the property owner or manager helps create an official record of the incident. This will be important if you decide to pursue a claim later.

Step 3: Document the Scene

Take photos of the area where the accident occurred, especially if there were hazardous conditions that contributed to the fall. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information, as their testimony may be valuable in proving negligence. Also, keep track of any medical bills, prescriptions, and rehabilitation expenses.

Step 4: Understand Property Owner Responsibilities

In Ontario, property owners have a legal duty to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. This includes clearing snow and ice in the winter, repairing broken steps or walkways, and promptly addressing wet floors. If the property owner’s negligence led to your injury, they could be held liable for damages.

Step 5: Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall cases can be complex, as it’s often difficult to prove that the property owner’s negligence caused the accident. A personal injury lawyer can help investigate the incident, gather evidence, and build a strong case for compensation. If you are unable to work due to your injury, your lawyer will also ensure you are compensated for lost wages.

How to Protect Your Legal Rights

1. Report the incident immediately to the property owner or manager.
2. Collect evidence, including photos of the scene and witness contact information.
3. Keep detailed records of your medical treatment.
4. Avoid making statements to insurance companies without consulting a lawyer.

If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your rights. One of our skilled personal injury lawyers in can help guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.