Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall in Rochester

What to Do After You’ve Slipped and Fallen

After a slip and fall, most people feel extremely stressed out. There’s the pain, the confusion, and the embarrassment. You’re hurting, probably unsure who’s responsible, and now facing medical bills you didn’t plan for. These accidents happen fast and leave lasting impact, especially when they occur in public places like a grocery store or on icy sidewalks during a Rochester winter. What you do next can make all the difference, both in terms of healing and protecting your rights.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our Rochester-based slip and fall attorneys know how overwhelming these situations can feel. We step in to take that stress off your shoulders. Our legal team has experience handling premises liability cases throughout Monroe County. If you’ve been hurt in a fall, we’ll guide you through every step and help you pursue the compensation you deserve through our trusted slip and fall legal services in Rochester.

Get Medical Help Right Away

Your health comes first. Even if your injury seems minor, don’t brush it off. Adrenaline can hide pain, and what feels like a simple bruise could actually be a fracture, ligament tear, or head injury. Call 911 if necessary, or visit a local urgent care center or hospital. Rochester has several excellent options, including Strong Memorial Hospital and Rochester General Hospital.

Getting checked out immediately starts your recovery and creates vital documentation if you decide to pursue a legal claim. Doctors’ notes, scans, and treatment plans all support your version of events. You can find a nearby emergency care center through New York State’s health facility locator.

Report the Fall to the Property Owner or Manager

Say something as soon as you can.

If you slipped at a local business, in a parking garage, or in a public building, find someone in charge. Tell them exactly what happened and where. Ask for an incident report and, if possible, get a copy. In Monroe County, property owners are legally responsible for keeping walkways, stairs, and floors reasonably safe. Reporting the fall creates a timestamp and proves the incident occurred.

Whether your fall happened at Marketplace Mall, on the steps outside a restaurant on Monroe Avenue, or inside a city-run building, an early report helps prevent future disputes over the facts.

Document the Scene Before Conditions Change

If you’re able, use your phone right away. Conditions can change quickly.

Ice gets salted. Spills get cleaned. Broken tiles get fixed. And once those hazards disappear, so does critical evidence. 

Take clear photos or video of:

• The exact spot where you fell
• Hazards like puddles, cords, cracked pavement, or poor lighting
• Weather conditions if you were outside
• The wider surroundings, including store signs or address numbers

Capturing visual proof at the scene, whether it’s a slippery entrance on East Avenue or uneven pavement near High Falls, helps create a fuller picture of what went wrong.

Get Contact Info from Witnesses Nearby

People see more than you think.

Eyewitnesses often notice details that fall victims miss in the moment. They may have seen water on the floor, watched you slip, or heard a worker mention a known hazard. Ask for their name, phone number, and what they observed.

If your fall happened in a public area like Park Avenue, a city park, or near the Rochester Public Market, there’s a good chance someone saw it. Their statements can confirm the hazard existed and back up your account later.

Keep the Shoes and Clothes You Wore

Preserve them exactly as they were.

Don’t wash, throw out, or repair anything you wore during the fall. Your shoes and clothing can tell a lot about how the accident happened. Wet soles, scuffed heels, torn fabric, these may help show the type of surface or force involved.

Let’s say your jeans tore when you tripped over cracked concrete on a sidewalk in front of a Monroe County storefront. That tear might prove your fall was caused by a physical defect, not just clumsiness.

Place everything in a bag, label it with the date, and store it safely.

Avoid Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone

Insurance companies call quickly, and often, they’re not looking out for you.

After a reported fall, it’s likely you’ll hear from the property owner’s insurer. They may ask for a recorded statement or try to get you to settle early. Be polite, but cautious. You’re under no obligation to speak with them right away or give detailed answers.

Everything you say could later be used to minimize your injury or suggest blame. If you’re not sure how to respond, it’s okay to say you’re not ready to talk. An attorney can help you understand your rights before you agree to anything.

Follow All Medical Recommendations

Stick with the treatment plan your doctor gives.

Don’t skip appointments. Fill your prescriptions. If physical therapy is recommended, go. Inconsistent care makes it harder to prove you were seriously hurt. It also delays your recovery.

Doctors in Rochester, from specialists at Unity Hospital to orthopedic clinics in Irondequoit, track your progress through records and reports. These documents become part of your case if you pursue compensation. Gaps in treatment or non-compliance can weaken the link between your fall and your ongoing pain.

Record How the Injury Affects Your Life

Write it down. Day by day.

A personal injury isn’t just about the pain, it’s about how that pain changes your routine. Keep a journal or notes on your phone. Document the daily impact:

• Pain levels and symptoms
• Missed work or school
• Changes in sleep or mood
• Activities you can’t do anymore (e.g., stairs, childcare, driving)
• Extra help you now need from others

Maybe you live in the South Wedge and can’t manage the stairs to your second-floor apartment. Or maybe you’ve had to cancel work shifts at a business in Gates. These real-life consequences help demonstrate how the injury affects you long-term.

Look Into Property Safety Violations

Check for past issues at the same location.

Repeat problems aren’t uncommon. If a store, building, or property has a history of unsafe conditions, that matters. You can check public records through Monroe County or the City of Rochester’sOpen Data Portal.

If someone else filed a complaint about a loose stair rail or icy walkway weeks before your fall, that could help show the property owner ignored the problem. It strengthens your position and may influence how insurers or courts view the case.

Speak with a Rochester Slip and Fall Attorney

Don’t guess about your rights, get real answers from someone local.

Fall cases in New York have strict timelines, and the law around premises liability can be tricky. A Rochester-based slip and fall attorney understands the local courts, insurance practices, and what property owners are required to do.

A lawyer can step in to handle communications, gather evidence, calculate damages, and advise you on the next steps. Whether your accident happened downtown near Main Street or out in Webster, a local legal team knows the terrain, and how to build your case within it.

Protect Your Rights After a Fall in Rochester

You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall anywhere in Rochester or Monroe County, take action early. Document everything, take care of yourself, and reach out for help when you need it. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, our slip and fall attorneys work with injured clients across the region to pursue the justice and compensation they’re owed. Let us handle the legal side, so you can focus on healing.