If you slip and fall in a Minnesota supermarket, what you do next may affect your health and any future claim. Acting quickly can help you document what happened and protect your rights.
Immediate health and safety
Your health comes first. Check for injuries and seek medical care the same day even if you think you are “just sore.” Some injuries including concussions and soft-tissue damage may not show full symptoms for hours or days.
Follow your doctor’s instructions, attend follow-up visits and keep copies of all records and bills. These documents may later help connect your injuries to the fall.
Report the incident before you leave
If you can stay at the store safely, notify a manager or supervisor and ask them to create an incident report. Confirm key details such as the date, time, exact location in the store and what hazard caused your fall such as a spill, a loose mat or clutter.
Ask for a copy of the report if possible. Keep your description short and factual. Avoid guessing about what happened or saying anything that sounds like you accept blame.
Document the scene and save evidence
Evidence from the scene can disappear quickly. Before the area is cleaned or changed, try to do the following:
- Take photos and video: Capture wide shots, close-ups of the hazard and any visible injuries.
- Get witness information: Record names and contact details for anyone who saw the fall or the hazard.
- Note cameras and conditions: Look for security cameras and write down lighting, weather and floor conditions.
- Preserve clothing and shoes: Keep what you were wearing in the same condition as after the fall.
These steps can help show how the hazard looked and how the fall happened.
Continue to document your injuries and losses
Keep a simple journal of your pain levels, limits at work or home and how the injury affects daily tasks like driving, childcare or sleep. Save receipts for medical visits, medications, mobility aids and other out-of-pocket costs. If you miss work, keep pay stubs or employer notes showing lost time or reduced hours.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 541.05, you generally have six years to file most personal injury lawsuits including many slip and fall cases. Shorter deadlines may apply in certain situations so early action can help avoid missed windows.
What you can do next
Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand how Minnesota premises liability rules apply to your situation. An attorney can assess the hazard, preserve time-sensitive evidence and explain how documentation may affect any future claim.