Slip and fall accidents happen fast, often when you least expect it. Wet floors, leaking showers, poor lighting, uneven tiles, or unmarked hazards can turn a normal day at a store or hotel into a serious injury. And because many injuries don’t show symptoms right away, knowing what to do in those first moments is crucial.
At Carabin Law, our attorneys help injured Texans every day, and we know how overwhelming these situations can be. This step-by-step guide will help you protect your health, your rights, and your potential injury claim.
1. Take Photos and Video Immediately
Evidence disappears quickly, water gets wiped up, signs get added, and staff may change the story later.
If you’re able, document:
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The hazard that caused your fall (water, food, broken tile, leaking shower, etc.)
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The surrounding area
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Any warning signs or lack of them
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Footprints, puddles, carts, mats, or anything relevant
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Your injuries (bruising, cuts, swelling)
If you can’t do this yourself, ask a family member or witness to help.
2. Report the Incident to Management Right Away
Whether you’re in a store, hotel, lobby, restaurant, or resort, make sure the staff knows what happened. Ask for a written incident report and request a copy if possible.
Important details to note:
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Name of the employee or manager you spoke with
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Time and location of the fall
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What they said or promised to do
Do not downplay your injuries. Even minor falls can lead to serious complications later.
3. Get Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
Even if you think you’re okay, injuries from a fall often appear hours or days later. Seek medical care immediately so:
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Your injuries are properly diagnosed
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Pain is documented
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You have official medical records linking the fall to the injury
Common slip & fall injuries include:
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Hip fractures
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Back and neck injuries
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Concussions
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Sprains and tears
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Internal injuries
Early medical care protects your health and your case.
4. Document the Hazard & the Timeline
Write everything down while it’s fresh in your mind:
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What caused the fall
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How long the hazard was present
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Whether employees had been notified
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Whether staff ignored or dismissed the danger
A clear timeline helps prove the business knew about the hazard or should have known—a key requirement in Texas premises liability cases.
5. Understand Why Property Cameras Matter
Most hotels and stores have surveillance cameras in hallways, lobbies, aisles, and entrances. Footage can show:
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How long the hazard existed
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Whether employees walked past it
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If attempts were made to fix or ignore it
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The exact moment the fall occurred
Important: Many businesses erase surveillance footage within days, sometimes within hours.
An attorney can send a spoliation letter requiring the business to preserve the video.
Slip & Fall Cases in Texas: What the Law Requires
Slip and fall cases in Texas fall under premises liability law, which requires property owners to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When a store or hotel fails to address a dangerous condition and someone gets hurt, they may be legally responsible for the resulting injuries.
However, these cases are rarely simple. Texas law places the burden of proof on the injured person, meaning you must show that the property owner acted negligently.
To successfully pursue compensation, you and your attorney must prove:
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A dangerous condition existed.
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The property owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
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They failed to fix it or warn visitors.
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That failure directly caused your injuries.
This is why collecting evidence, reporting the incident, preserving clothing, and seeking prompt medical care is so important, these steps help establish negligence under Texas law.
How Can Carabin Law Help?
Slip and fall injuries can lead to ongoing pain, lost wages, expensive medical care, and long-term complications.
Carabin Law helps injured clients by:
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Preserving evidence and obtaining camera footage
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Dealing with hotel and store insurance adjusters
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Proving negligence under Texas premises liability law
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Recovering compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain & suffering
You don’t have to navigate this alone because at Carabin Law, “Every Case Matters. Every Client Counts.”
