To ask a store to save surveillance video of your fall, send a prompt, specific written request. Identify when and where you fell, and keep proof that you sent it.
Part of the PhillyLegalConnect Quick Answer Series
Simple answers to common accident, insurance, and injury questions affecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore. This Quick Answer addresses asking a Pennsylvania store to preserve surveillance footage after a fall.
Quick Answer
Ask the store in writing to preserve relevant surveillance footage from before, during, and after your fall. Include the store’s address, the date, the approximate time, and the specific location. Ask for written confirmation that the recordings have been saved.
Do not assume footage exists or has been preserved simply because you asked. Saving video and obtaining a copy are separate issues.
Key Takeaways
- Send your request promptly; do not assume a particular recording-retention period.
- Give enough detail to help the store locate the footage.
- Include relevant footage before and after the fall.
- Keep your request, delivery information, and responses.
- Ask for confirmation that the video was saved, not just that your message arrived.
Send Your Request to the Right Contact
Ask the manager who handles surveillance preservation requests. This may be loss prevention, risk management, or a corporate claims department.
Use a verified business email address, contact form, or mailing address. Ask the recipient to forward your request to whoever controls the recordings.
If you speak by telephone or in person, follow up in writing. Note the person’s name and the date of your conversation.
What to Include When Asking a Store to Save Surveillance Video
Provide:
- The store’s name and street address
- The date and approximate time of your fall
- The aisle, entrance, checkout, or other specific location
- A brief description of your clothing or shopping cart
- A request to preserve relevant camera recordings from before, during, and after the incident
- Your name and contact information
If you are unsure of the time, clearly label it as an estimate. A receipt or other record may help you narrow it down.
Earlier footage may show the condition of the area before you fell. Later footage may show the response or cleanup. If you need help deciding what time range to request, contact The Oakes Firm.
Sample Written Request
Use this wording and adjust it to match what happened:
Please preserve surveillance footage relating to my fall at [store name and address] on [date], at approximately [time], near [specific location]. Please include relevant recordings showing the area before, during, and after the incident.
I was wearing [description]. Please forward this request to the person responsible for the recordings and confirm in writing whether the relevant footage has been preserved.
My name is [name], and you can reach me at [contact information]. Thank you.
Follow Up and Keep Your Records
Save emails, delivery confirmations, screenshots of submitted forms, and notes of calls. Keep any incident number the store provides.
Confirmation that your message arrived does not establish that the recordings were saved. Ask specifically whether the relevant footage has been preserved.
If the store does not respond or says the footage is unavailable, contact The Oakes Firm promptly. Questions about preservation obligations, obtaining a copy, or the significance of missing footage should be discussed with an attorney.
What to Do Next
- Write down the store’s address, the date, approximate time, and location of your fall.
- Send your written request to the appropriate store contact promptly.
- Keep proof of delivery and ask whether the relevant footage has been saved.
- Contact The Oakes Firm if the store does not respond or you need legal guidance about preserving or obtaining footage.
Editor’s Note: This Quick Answer addresses preserving store surveillance footage after a Pennsylvania fall. Recording availability, preservation duties, and access depend on the circumstances.
Speak Directly With The Oakes Firm
If you were injured in a fall and are concerned that relevant video may be lost, The Oakes Firm can discuss preservation steps and your legal options.
Free consultation. No fee unless there is a recovery.
Call (215) 883-4412
The Oakes Firm — Philadelphia Slip-and-Fall Lawyers →
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PhillyLegalConnect was created to help individuals and families better understand accidents, insurance, injury claims, and safety issues affecting Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore.
Our mission is to explain complicated legal and insurance topics in clear, practical language so readers can make informed decisions after an accident or injury.
About the Author
Thomas G. Oakes has more than four decades of experience working in and around Pennsylvania and New Jersey courtrooms. Throughout his career, he worked with attorneys, judges, and litigation teams, gaining firsthand insight into how accident and injury claims are investigated, documented, and presented.
Today, he serves as editor of PhillyLegalConnect, developing educational resources that help readers better understand accident, insurance, and personal injury topics. Learn more about Thomas G. Oakes →
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