Learn how you can take steps to help your business avoid slip and fall claims.
Slip and fall injuries are the most common commercial insurance claims, and data has shown that the rates of this liability issue are increasing every year. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to reduce the risk of these claims happening at your place of business. One of the most effective mitigation tools is making sure to carefully document fall events. Not only will this speed up the claims process, but it will also allow you to make the necessary changes to avoid slip and fall claims in the future. Here’s what you need to know about properly documenting a fall claim at your business.
Surveillance Footage
Oftentimes, fall events are captured on video surveillance. Unfortunately, this footage is often lost or not saved because the insured did not anticipate a claim stemming from the incident. However, anytime there is footage of an accident, you should be sure to save the incident itself along with the footage that documents a few minutes leading up to and following the fall. Not only will this provide a clear and accurate depiction of what actually occurred, but it can also help you identify the tripping hazard that caused the incident.
Photos of the Scene
Documenting the scene of the accident is incredibly important. Luckily, doing so is extremely easy. All you need to do is snap a few pictures with your phone. Be sure to focus on the surface and condition of the area immediately following the fall. Send these photos to your claims adjuster to aid in their investigation. As the adjuster can never really recreate the surface as it was at the time of the event, the photos you send can have a huge impact on the outcome of the claim.
Incident Reports
Unfortunately, in the event of a slip and fall case, businesses do not have the benefit of a formal police investigation. This means that versions of the event can change and can even come to conflict with each other. A good way to prevent this from happening is by asking the claimant and witnesses to write a brief description of what occurred during the incident. To make this information gathering a little easier, businesses are advised to have a formal incident report outline available for all on-duty employees to complete in the event of such an accident.
These are some of the steps that you can take to properly document a claim incident. Remember, proper documentation can help your business avoid slip and fall claims. Another way to protect your business from these events is by having the right small business insurance protections in place. For assistance with your commercial coverage needs, turn to the experts at PMC Insurance Group. Contact us today to learn more about getting competitive coverage for your small business clients.
