How to Document the Injury and Scene
Alongside preserving the product, documenting the injury and the scene builds the case. This checklist covers what to capture.
Get medical care and keep records
See a doctor promptly, keep every record and bill, and make sure the injury is documented and connected to the product.
Photograph the scene
Take photos of where the injury happened and how the product was set up or used, before anything is cleaned up or moved.
Photograph the injuries over time
Take dated photos of the injuries — burns, wounds, or other harm — and keep photographing as they heal.
Identify witnesses
Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw the product fail or the injury happen.
Write down what happened
Record the sequence of events, what the product did, and what you were doing, while it is fresh and accurate.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to product liability.
Keep going
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.