Maison Law helps people that have been injured in slip-and-fall accidents at California Home Depot stores. Many people know they can file an injury claim after a slip-and-fall accident, but what happens if the store management doesn’t document the incident? Our team can help you through this process and make sure Home Depot is held accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Should a Home Depot Store Manager Write Up an Incident Report After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
When there’s a slip-and-fall accident at a Home Depot, a lot of different things should happen. First and foremost, you need to ask an employee for help and first aid. This has the dual effect of letting the store know that something happened and making sure you get medical help for any injuries.
But from the store’s perspective, they also have a lot to do. Company policy usually holds that the manager or someone in charge has to write up an “incident report” that contains several key pieces of information like:
- Date, time, and location of the incident
- Weather conditions (if relevant, e.g., rain causing a wet entrance)
- Your full name and contact details (phone, email, address)
- Any known medical conditions that may have led to the fall
- How the fall happened (e.g., “slipped on a spilled liquid in the paint aisle”)
- What you were doing before the fall
- Any hazards present (wet floor, debris, no warning signs)
- Type of injuries (e.g., bruises, broken bones, head injury)
- Whether emergency services were called
- First aid provided by store employees (if any)
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Statements from employees or customers who saw the fall
- What employees did (e.g., cleaned spill, placed warning signs)
- Security footage (noted if reviewed or saved)
- Name and position of the employee who documented the incident
- Your signature (if possible)
- Signature of the employee or manager who completed the report
With this, it’s easy to see why these reports are important. Even though it’s required by company policy, management might not follow through and make one. At that point, you need to know what you can do.
What Should You Do if Home Depot Doesn’t File an Incident Report After Your Slip-and-Fall?
It’s obviously pretty frustrating when you slip-and-fall at a Home Depot. Not only was it likely preventable, but you’re also reliant on employees and management to help you. So, when they don’t document the incident with a report, you have to take matters into your own hands. Here’s what you should do in this situation:
- Report the incident – Tell an employee what happened. Even if they don’t file a report, note their name and what they said.
- Get medical care – Injuries aren’t always immediate. See a doctor as soon as possible to document any issues.
- Take pictures and videos of the scene – Document the scene yourself with pictures and videos. Make sure to get the hazard that caused your fall, your injuries, and any missing warning signs.
- Get witness information – Get names and contact details from anyone who saw the fall. Their statements can help your case.
- Save all records – Keep medical bills, emails with insurance, and any communication with Home Depot.
As you can see, taking these steps will help you document the fall and get all the information you’re going to need for a claim. While it’s frustrating, Home Depot management not making a report is going to actually hurt them in the claims process.
How Can You Recover Damages After a Home Depot Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Even if Home Depot management won’t document your slip-and-fall, you still have the legal right to file a claim and recover damages. This is because Home Depot has a legal duty to keep you safe while you’re shopping there. To do this, you can either:
- File an insurance claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit
Insurance is usually quicker, but the settlement depends on the insurance company’s decision and may not cover all your damages. Thus, a lawsuit takes longer but may lead to higher damages. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (in some cases)
In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Missing the deadline could mean losing your right to get damages at all. Further, the strength of your claim depends on the evidence you’re able to present. If Home Depot won’t file a report, document everything and reach out to our team for legal support and guidance.
Contact Maison Law For Help After a Slip-and-Fall at Home Depot
Home Depot is responsible for keeping its stores safe. If they ignore hazards, refuse to file an incident report, or deny responsibility, you still have options. We can help by:
- Explaining your rights so you know what to do next.
- Investigating the accident to prove Home Depot’s negligence.
- Handling negotiations with the store or insurance company.
- Calculating your damages so you get a fair result.
- Making the process stress-free so you can focus on healing.
If Home Depot isn’t taking your accident seriously, our slip-and-fall accident lawyers at Maison Law will. Contact us today for a free consultation.
