What This Question Usually Means
When someone asks what a campus “needs” to open a slip-and-fall claim, they are usually trying to do two things: (1) make sure the incident is reported to the right office so it can be investigated, and (2) get the correct risk/claims contact information (sometimes including general liability coverage information) so the claim can move forward.
Campuses often handle these reports through a risk management office, safety office, or legal office. If you were directed to follow up with an associate general counsel, that usually means the campus wants communications and document requests funneled through counsel while it gathers facts.
What to Gather for a Case Review
- Basics of the incident: The date and approximate time, the general campus area/building (no addresses needed), weather conditions (if outdoors), and what you were doing right before the fall.
- Hazard description: What made the area unsafe (for example, liquid on a floor, recently mopped surface, uneven pavement, poor lighting), how long you believe it was there, and whether any warning signs were present.
- Injury/treatment overview: A plain-English summary of the injuries claimed and a general timeline of care (for example, same-day urgent care/ER, follow-up visits, therapy). No medical details beyond what’s necessary to identify records.
- Witnesses and reporting: Names and contact info for any witnesses (students/staff/visitors), and whether you reported it to campus staff/security and when.
- Photos/video: Any photos or video you have of the scene, your footwear, warning signs (or lack of them), and visible injuries. Also note whether the area likely had surveillance cameras.
- Paper trail: Any incident report confirmation, emails, or messages showing who was notified and what was said.
- Employment/student status (if relevant): Whether you were working at the time, attending class, visiting an event, or delivering goods—because different procedures can apply depending on the relationship to the campus.
What Happens After the First Call
- Initial screening: The campus identifies the location, the department responsible for that area, and whether any third-party contractor (cleaning/maintenance) may be involved.
- Fact collection: The campus typically gathers incident reports, maintenance/cleaning logs (if any), prior complaints, and any available video. They may also interview employees who were working nearby.
- Hazard and notice review: A key issue in many North Carolina slip-and-fall cases is whether the campus (or its contractor) created the hazard or knew (or should have known) about it in time to fix it or warn people. Investigation often focuses on timing and documentation.
- Claim routing: Depending on whether the campus is public or private, the matter may be handled internally, sent to an insurer/administrator, or directed into a specific statutory process.
How This Applies
Apply to the facts provided: Here, the reported incident is a slip-and-fall on a campus in North Carolina, and the caller is seeking general liability insurance information. In that situation, the campus will usually want enough detail to identify the exact location and alleged hazard, confirm whether a campus employee or outside contractor was responsible for the area, and preserve any time-sensitive evidence like surveillance video. Being directed to associate general counsel is consistent with the campus centralizing communications and evaluating what information can be shared during the investigation.
What the Statutes Say (Optional)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-297 (Tort Claims Act filing contents) – Lists the basic information a claimant must include when filing certain claims against North Carolina state departments/agencies with the Industrial Commission.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-299 (time limit for Tort Claims Act filings) – Sets a limitations period for filing certain claims against North Carolina state departments/agencies with the Industrial Commission.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 116-222 (UNC liability program confidentiality) – Provides that certain records related to the UNC liability insurance program and claim investigations are not public records and are generally protected.
Conclusion
To open and investigate a campus slip-and-fall claim, the campus usually needs clear basics (when/where/how), a description of the hazard, the injury and treatment timeline, and any evidence like photos, witnesses, and possible video. Investigation often centers on who controlled the area and whether the campus (or a contractor) created the condition or had enough notice to fix it or warn about it. A practical next step is to gather and preserve your documentation and provide a concise written summary to the campus contact handling the claim.
