An injured customer could end up being your worst nightmare, and you need to act immediately if you want to avoid major problems down the road. Even if the accident was their fault, this type of situation can quickly turn into a major legal battle. Here is a look at four steps that you should take when a customer gets injured.
Immediately Provide Aid
When an accident occurs, you need to make sure that the injured party gets the medical attention they need. If the individual isn’t badly injured, then you can take them to a private area and ask them what they would like to do. For severe injuries, you must immediately call 9-1-1. Assisting the customer isn’t an admission of guilt, and this process is probably going to be much smoother if you are cordial and accommodating.
Collect as Much Information as Possible
Once the customer is safe and being looked after, you must begin collecting as much information as possible about the incident. These situations can turn into complex problems before you know it, and the information that you collect could be invaluable to your case. Make sure every employee is properly trained in what to do in case of an accident. Have them sign they attended the training. Make sure you have signs informing clients of potential risks. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s beforehand so if this happens you can breathe you did your part and have it documented. In addition to getting contact information from all of the witnesses, you should also snap a few photos of the scene of the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Following an accident, you must contact your insurance provider as quickly as possible. While every insurance company has its own rules, most of those companies require their clients to contact them within 72 hours of an accident. During that phone call, you only need to give them basic information such as who was injured and what types of injuries occurred. It might be tempting to give them more information, but that could end up hurting your case.
Contact an Attorney
The final step in this process is contacting an attorney to explore your options. An experienced lawyer can help you come up with an airtight case that protects your company and its assets. If the situation doesn’t escalate into a trial, then your attorney can negotiate with the insurance companies and the injured party’s legal representatives. One of those professionals could save you a tremendous amount of money in the coming months. If you believe your attorney was negligent in your case you can contact a legal malpractice attorney to take a look and bring you justice.
In addition to these four steps, you must also figure out exactly what caused the injury and how to avoid future accidents. When it comes to the safety of your customers, a little bit of preventative maintenance can make a big difference.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
