No one can estimate an average slip and fall settlement because each case is unique. Several factors play a role in determining the compensation a victim receives from settling an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Furthermore, a settlement is not guaranteed. Insurance companies may deny a claim altogether or refuse to offer an amount that fully accounts for the injuries and damages you suffered in your accident.
You have the option to work with a slip and fall accident lawyer to help you determine your legal options and pursue fair compensation for your losses. Potential compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
The Extent of Your Injuries and Losses
One of the most important factors that determine your settlement amount is the severity of your injuries. If you suffered a minor injury, you might not find it worthwhile to bring legal action against a property owner. If your injuries are substantial or they exceed the amount covered in an insurance policy, you can seek fair compensation through a lawsuit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls results in severe injuries to elderly adults. When they fall, they have a significant chance of fracturing their hip. This risk partly results from age causing the bones to become frail, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The more severe your injuries, the more money you might collect in a potential settlement. For example, if your injuries cause permanent (or even temporary) disability, your settlement should account for any future costs related to your disability. You may require coverage for medical expenses, such as in-home equipment or rehabilitative therapy sessions, and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same profession.
Since each injury differs, it is impossible to say what an average slip and fall settlement would look like. A slip and fall lawyer can help you assess the true extent of your injuries and losses, so you do not accept an agreement that does not offer a fair financial award.
Potential Compensation After a Slip and Fall Injury
If you qualify for compensation after a slip and fall accident, you may be able to collect various awards. Some of these rewards will cover tangible losses, while others cover losses for things you cannot quantify, like the reduced quality of life. Here are some of the forms of compensation you may consider pursuing.
Medical Expenses
Awards for medical expenses can reimburse you for emergency room bills, prescription medications, rehabilitation, therapy, and in-home accommodations required after your injury.
Lost Income
This award covers the wages, benefits, and bonuses you lost while you were in the hospital or at home recovering from your injuries. Some injuries leave patients in critical condition, and they might require weeks or months to return to a normal life.
Property Damage
If you broke a cell phone or fitness watch during your fall, you could receive compensation to repair or replace your damaged property.
Pain and Suffering
This award attempts to compensate you for the suffering you experienced through the trauma of the accident, as well as the burden of the recovery process.
Reduced Earning Capacity
This award refers to compensation for a situation where you cannot return to work in the same field or at the same income level you had before your injuries. A settlement usually awards this in the event of permanent disability, for example.
Proving Negligence
For any settlement to occur, you will need to prove your injuries resulted from the negligence of the owner of the property where you slipped and fell. A property owner has the responsibility to keep their guests, patrons, or invitees safe from preventable harm. If an owner failed in their duty, your slip and fall might have resulted from their negligence. This fact is what your case must prove.
For example, if a property owner fails to fix a leak that they knew caused a puddle in the walkway, and you slip in that puddle, you can sue them for your losses related to the injury you suffer from the fall. Even if this negligence occurs on public property, you could still have the right to sue the government entity that owns the property.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, for Legal Representation
If you wonder what the average slip and fall settlement offers, seeking legal counsel can help you determine the amount you can request in a personal injury claim. A lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence to prove liability, and file a lawsuit on your behalf.
If you recently suffered a slip and fall, you deserve to focus on healing from your injuries, not dealing with insurance companies. You can allow a lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to handle your case. Call us today at 800-959-1444 for a free case review with a team member.
