If you can prove that you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property, you can file a slip and fall claim and potentially receive compensation.
Accident injuries can be painful as well as expensive for the victim. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 800,000 hospital visits for injuries from slip and falls in 2017 alone.
A slip and fall can have disastrous consequences such as debilitating injuries and a significant loss of income due to not being able to go to work for some time. In some cases, a particularly bad fall can cause permanent disability or even death.
Not every accident on public or private property is automatically a slip and fall claim. Some accidents happen due to inattention, a physical impairment, ill-fitting shoes, or other reasons that are not the fault of a property owner. If you got hurt in a slip and fall accident, you could consult with a lawyer to find out if you have legal recourse against a property owner.
Injuries in Slip and Fall Claims
Injuries in a minor slip and fall can be insignificant and may not warrant filing a lawsuit. However, if you have suffered extensive injuries that may have an impact on the rest of your life, filing a lawsuit against a negligent party can help you pay for necessary medical treatments and compensate you for any lost income, for example. Some of the more serious injuries from falls can be:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Complicated fractures
- Back injuries
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries, you could potentially receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses and future medical costs
- Lost wages and future lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Transport costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You could also receive other compensation, depending on your individual slip and fall claim. If you want to find out more about any compensation that you could recover, a slip and fall lawyer can help you assess your damages in detail.
Filing a Slip and Fall Claim
The actions you take immediately after a slip and fall accident can be crucial if you consider holding the negligent party to account for your damages. Some of the steps you can take after an accident include:
Reporting the Accident
If you suffered a fall on someone else’s property, you should report the accident immediately to the owner of the property or an employee, if possible. This is crucial, especially if there are no eyewitnesses that saw your accident. You may wish to fill out an accident report also.
Collecting Information
Any evidence you can collect will help with your case. This can include the contact information of any witnesses, as well as any photographs of the hazardous condition that caused your accident.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you have not done so immediately after an accident, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. If you are unable to prove your injuries with medical reports and medical bills, you may not be able to file suit against the negligent party. If you have injuries, but you did not see a doctor immediately, the defendant may argue that your injuries are only minor.
Do not Sign Insurance Documents
If an insurance company approaches you immediately after an accident, they might want to try to push a low settlement offer on you. It can be in your best interests to not engage in any conversation or sign anything, as this could later be used against you. Instead, you may wish to consult with a slip and fall lawyer who can help you negotiate an adequate settlement in or out of court.
Hire a Lawyer
You may wish to engage the services of a slip and fall lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. A lawyer can guide you with legal advice and help you find out about your legal options in regards to receiving compensation for your accident. They can also protect you from low insurance company offers and try to negotiate a fair and comprehensive settlement.
Timely action can be crucial if you are considering holding a negligent party to account. Many states have filing deadlines for personal injury cases such as slip and falls. The time typically starts ticking on the date of your accident. If you do not file your lawsuit within your state’s deadline, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
We Are Here to Help You
Contact us to see if you can file a slip and fall claim. You could potentially also file a slip and fall case on behalf of a loved one.
Slip and fall cases can be quite challenging to prove. However, we can assist you every step of the way. We can help negotiate with insurance companies and can take your case to court if needed.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC now for a free evaluation of your case with one of our team members at (855) 933-4005.
