Amanda Hall Injury Law obtained a favorable six-figure result for a client who required surgery after slipping and falling on a wet floor inside a store. The case became a clear example of why quickly preserving video footage and other evidence can be critical in a premises liability claim.
The Challenge: A Wet Floor and a Disputed Incident Report
When we first met our client, she was struggling to reach the store manager and obtain information about the incident report. Once we received the report, it stated that the manager had returned to the area where our client fell and did not observe that the floor was wet.
That account did not match what our client remembered. Because store surveillance footage and other evidence can be lost or overwritten quickly, we took immediate steps to protect the information that could show what actually happened.
Preserving Critical Video and Physical Evidence
We promptly sent a preservation letter requiring the store to retain video footage from the day of the fall, along with any other evidence related to the incident. The store also sent a preservation request asking us to retain the shoes our client was wearing when she fell.
We collected the shoes, placed them in a protective bag, and stored them safely at our office. These early preservation efforts helped ensure that both the digital and physical evidence remained available as the case progressed.
Supporting Our Client Through Surgery and Recovery
While our client focused on medical treatment and recovery, we handled the legal work. We stood by her when her doctor explained that surgery would be necessary.
The news was especially difficult because the injury affected more than her physical health. She had worked for the same employer for decades, loved her job, and took great pride in her perfect attendance. She even shared awards she had received for never missing work. The prospect of surgery meant pain, recovery, and time away from a job that was deeply important to her.
What the Store’s Video Footage Revealed
The case ultimately moved into litigation, and the store initially continued to rely on the manager’s statement that the floor was not wet. Because the surveillance footage had been preserved, however, we were able to review evidence that showed a very different sequence of events.
The video showed an employee mopping the floor and placing wet floor signs in the area after our client fell. It also showed that another employee had created the spill in the same location shortly before the fall.
Building the Case Through Litigation
Through depositions, we learned that the store had been short-staffed that day and that it was the manager’s second day at that location. As we continued investigating, the store’s defenses became increasingly difficult to support.
We also made sure the case reflected the full impact of the injury on our client’s life. Her damages were not limited to the surgery itself. She had to miss time from a job she loved and lost eligibility for the perfect attendance recognition she had valued for years. Those personal details helped show why the injury mattered beyond the medical records.
A Favorable Six-Figure Case Result
We ultimately obtained a favorable six-figure result for our client. When she returned to our office more than a year later to close the case, she received more than the final case documents and proceeds. We were also able to return the shoes that had been preserved since the beginning of the claim.
Why Acting Quickly After a Slip and Fall Matters
Surveillance footage from stores, traffic cameras, and nearby businesses may be overwritten within days, and sometimes within 24 to 48 hours. Acting quickly after a slip and fall can help preserve evidence that may be essential to understanding what happened and evaluating a potential claim.
Injured in a Store Slip and Fall?
Amanda Hall Injury Law helps injured people investigate slip and fall claims, preserve available evidence, and understand their legal options. Contact the firm to discuss your situation and learn what steps may be appropriate.
Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.