Slip and fall claims: what to do and how a claim works
Last updated: November 10, 2026
After a slip and fall on someone else's property, report it to the owner or manager, photograph the exact spot, and get witnesses' names. A claim is usually paid by the property owner's insurance when an unsafe condition they should have fixed or warned about caused the fall.
What to do after a slip and fall
Get safe and call 911 if needed
Stay where you are until you are ready to move, and call 911 if you need help.
Report it to the owner or manager
Tell the store, landlord or property manager right away and ask for a written incident report and a copy.
Photograph the spot
Photograph what made you fall, such as a spill, ice, a broken step or poor lighting, and whether there was a warning sign.
Find witnesses
Ask anyone who saw the fall, or the hazard before it, for their name and number.
Get the owner's details
Write down the business or owner's name and address and, if they will share it, their insurer.
Keep your shoes and clothes
Keep what you were wearing as it is. It can show the fall was not caused by your footwear.
Keep records and receipts
Save receipts, records of time missed from work and every letter or email about the fall.
Check the deadline
Find out how long you have to bring a claim in your state. Falls on public property can have short notice deadlines.
Who pays
A property owner's liability insurance usually pays. Stores and businesses carry commercial policies, and homeowners and landlords carry homeowner's or landlord policies.
To be paid, you usually need to show the owner knew, or should have known, about the hazard and did not fix it or warn about it. If the fall happened on public property, a government agency may be responsible, and its notice deadlines can be short.
How long you have
Every state limits how long you have to bring an accident claim. In most states the deadline is two to three years from the accident, some states allow less, and claims against a city, county or state agency often need a written notice within months.
Once the deadline passes, you can lose the right to be paid at all, so check yours early. The state guides list the deadlines in Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and New York, with the law each comes from.
How CaseHelp helps
Start with the free case check: a few questions about what happened. Then Sarah, CaseHelp's AI assistant, or a member of our team calls to go over your answers and your options.
If you have a claim, we introduce you to an independent partner law firm. Accident lawyers usually work on contingency, which means no fee unless they win; case costs may apply. There is no obligation at any step.
Deadlines and fault rules by state
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a claim if I just slipped?
Not every fall leads to a claim. It usually depends on whether an unsafe condition caused it and whether the owner should have fixed it or warned about it.
Should I ask the store for its camera footage?
Yes, ask early. Many stores record over footage after a short time, and a lawyer can send a written request to keep it.
What if there was a wet floor sign?
A warning sign can matter, but it is not always the end of a claim. Where it was placed and how visible it was can count.
What if I fell at a friend's home?
Their homeowner's or renter's insurance may pay. A claim is made with the insurer, not paid out of your friend's pocket.
CaseHelp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws change. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed lawyer in your state.