A slip and fall in a shopping centre can happen in many different areas, including walkways, food courts, bathrooms, car parks, escalator areas, entrances, or near retail stores.
After a slip and fall incident, it may assist to seek medical treatment, report the incident, and keep records of what occurred.
The following information provides a general overview of practical steps that may be relevant after a slip and fall in a shopping centre in Queensland.
Seeking Medical Treatment
If you are injured after a slip and fall, medical assessment may be appropriate.
Depending on the circumstances, this may involve attending:
- A hospital;
- A general practitioner;
- A physiotherapist;
- A specialist; or
- Another treatment provider.
Some symptoms may not be fully apparent immediately after a fall. Medical records may assist in documenting the injuries, symptoms and treatment provided after the incident.
Reporting the Incident
It may assist to report the incident to shopping centre management, security, the relevant store, or another appropriate person at the location.
If an incident report is completed, it may be useful to ask for:
- The name of the person the incident was reported to;
- The date and time of the report;
- An incident report number, if one is provided; and
- A copy of the report, if available.
If a copy is not provided, it may still assist to keep your own written note of when the report was made and who it was made to.
Recording the Location
Shopping centres can be busy, and the condition of the area may change quickly after an incident.
If it is safe and appropriate to do so, it may assist to record details of the exact location where the fall occurred.
This may include:
- The name of the shopping centre;
- The level or floor;
- The nearest shop or landmark;
- Whether the incident occurred inside or outside;
- Whether it occurred in a car park, walkway, food court, bathroom, entrance or escalator area; and
- The approximate time of the incident.
It is important not to place yourself or others at risk when attempting to record information.
Photographs and Video
Photographs may assist in recording the condition of the area shortly after the incident.
Depending on the circumstances, photographs may include:
- The area where the fall occurred;
- Any liquid, object, uneven surface or other hazard;
- Warning signs, if present;
- The surrounding floor or walkway;
- Footwear worn at the time;
- Visible injuries;
- Damaged clothing or personal items; and
- Nearby stores or landmarks showing the location.
Photographs should only be taken where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Witness Details
If another person saw the incident occur, it may assist to record their name and contact details.
Witnesses may include:
- Other shoppers;
- Retail staff;
- Security staff;
- Cleaners;
- Centre management staff; or
- People who assisted after the incident.
Witness information may become relevant if there are later questions about what happened or the condition of the area.
CCTV Footage
Many shopping centres have CCTV cameras in common areas.
If CCTV footage may exist, it may assist to note the location of nearby cameras and the time of the incident.
Shopping centre footage may not always be kept permanently. The availability of CCTV footage may depend on the centre’s systems, retention periods and the circumstances of the incident. It may assist to ask at an early stage that any footage of your incident be retained.
Keeping Documents and Records
It may assist to keep documents and records relating to the incident and any treatment received afterwards.
Relevant records may include:
- Medical records;
- Hospital discharge summaries;
- Referrals;
- Scan or imaging results;
- Physiotherapy or rehabilitation records;
- Incident report details;
- Photographs;
- Witness details;
- Receipts for treatment or medication;
- Correspondence with shopping centre management;
- Employment records, if time away from work occurred; and
- Notes about symptoms or recovery.
Keeping these records together may make it easier to locate information later if it is required.
Public Liability Matters
A slip and fall in a shopping centre may involve public liability issues, depending on the circumstances.
Public liability matters can involve questions about how the incident occurred, the condition of the area, whether a hazard existed, what was known about the hazard, and what steps were taken in response.
Different circumstances may apply depending on the location, the people or organisations involved, and the information available.
Further information about public liability matters is available on our slip and fall services page.
It may assist to report the incident to shopping centre management, security, the relevant store, or another appropriate person at the location. If an incident report is completed, it may be useful to keep the report details.
Photographs may assist in recording the location, floor condition, warning signs, hazards, footwear, visible injuries, or damaged items. Photographs should only be taken where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
CCTV footage may be relevant depending on the location of the incident, whether cameras were operating, and how long footage is retained by the shopping centre or relevant business.
It may assist to keep medical records, incident report details, photographs, witness information, receipts, correspondence and employment records if time away from work occurred.
A shopping centre slip and fall may involve public liability issues, depending on the circumstances of the incident and the information available.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.