Step On A Crack...: Slip/Trip & Fall Intake Survey

Volume 2 / Edition 9

This Week; Focus On: Step On A Crack...: Slip/Trip & Fall Intake Survey

The very first edition of the Beacon Bulletin provided our readers with an investigator's witness statement checklist in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. This week, we focus on the primary information required in the event of a slip/trip and fall situation involving your client.

1. CLIENT PEDIGREE (to include name, address, phone #, DOB, SSN,employment/scholastic and licensed driver info and emergency contacts)

2. WEATHER CONDITIONS (including for interior falls in that proper matting may not be present at the location of occurrence)

3. LIGHTING CONDITIONS

4. SURFACE DESCRIPTION (sidewalk, hallway, stairs...)

5. DEBRIS/DISREPAIR/CONSTRUCTION PRESENT

6. DESCRIPTION OF SURFACE (concrete, torn matting, tile...)

7. PRESENCE OF ANY WARNING SIGNS (e.g. wet floor cones), TAPE, HANDRAILS

8. DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF PARTICIPANTS (northbound, descending steps...)

9. DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT (detailed)

10. ALCOHOL/DRUG INVOLVEMENT

11. WHERE WAS THE CLIENT GOING?

12. RATE OF WALK (normal gait, walking briskly... )

13. TYPE OF SHOES WORN

14. CONDITION OF SHOES (new, good, worn.. )

15. DOES THE CLIENT STILL HAVE THE SHOES?

16. OBSERVABLE INJURIES SUSTAINED (detailed)

17. MEDICAL ATTENTION RECEIVED AT SCENE

18. EMERGENCY/OFFICIAL VEHICLE AND PERSONNEL RESPONSE

19. STATEMENT(S) MADE AT SCENE

20. ADDITIONAL WITNESSES

21. DOES THE CLIENT KNOW OF ANY OTHER SIMILAR PRIOR INCIDENTS AT SAID LOCATION?

22. HAD THE CLIENT COMPLAINED TO MANAGEMENT OF EXISTING RELATED CONDITIONS?

23. DOES THE CLIENT KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY HAVE MADE SIMILAR PRIOR COMPLAINTS TO MANAGEMENT?

24. COPY OF CLIENT'S LEASE.

25. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION, IF KNOWN.

26. MUNICIPALITY INVOLVED?

With regard to the last checklist item, your investigator can then run an online real property check. City owned property information is immediately accessible. In many cases, private property information is also available online and may also yield homeowners insurance information.

BNI investigators: Street smart; Net savvy.

I look forward to any comments you may have or and questions I can answer for you.

Sincerely,

Lina M. Maini
Editor, The Beacon Bulletin
CEO, Beacon Network Investigations, Inc.