Did you know that the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths is a fall? Slip and fall injuries are common and can also have long-lasting impacts, including permanent injuries or even death.
The good news is that the vast majority of these injuries are preventable with proper safety precautions. If you’ve experienced injury from a slip and fall that was the result of the negligence or unlawful action of someone else, you may have a liability claim.
Read on to learn more about when you should contact a slip and fall injury lawyer.
1. Your Injuries Are Serious
Falls are the second-leading cause of spinal injuries and brain injuries. The older you get, the more likely you are to slip and fall and the more serious your injuries will be.
If your injuries are serious, you may need ongoing medical care, rehab, and may not be able to work indefinitely (or permanently). If this is the case, you need a settlement that will cover the cost of your short-term and long-term medical care.
The costs of medical care can rise quickly, especially if you need extended rehabilitation services to recover from your injuries. You may also need special medical equipment, a handicapped-accessible home or vehicle, and other expensive medical services that you should not have to pay for out of pocket.
An attorney will be able to accurately estimate the cost of your medical care and determine what a fair settlement amount is. It’s likely that you will probably underestimate the value of your claim, so don’t accept anything from an insurance adjuster until you speak with an attorney.
2. The Insurance Company Won’t Provide a Fair Settlement
Always remember that the insurance company is looking out for its bottom line. They want you to settle quickly and for the lowest amount possible. There is a good chance that an insurance adjuster will approach you shortly after you file your claim and offer you a settlement amount.
Resist the temptation to accept this settlement, as the amount is likely to be much less than what your case is worth. Once you accept the settlement, you cannot change your mind later and you forfeit any rights to ask for more money down the road.
Don’t sign anything and don’t speak to the adjuster either. Hire an attorney and let them handle all of the negotiations for you.
3. The Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
In some instances, you won’t even get a lowball settlement offer. The insurance company may simply deny your claim and say that their client is not at fault for the accident.
In this situation, you need an attorney to fight for your right to a fair settlement. If the insurance company denies your claim, you most often will need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and their insurance company to get compensated.
An attorney will be able to communicate with the insurance company, build a case, and represent you at trial if it comes to that. Don’t try to navigate the legal process on your own.
4. The Accident Is Due to Negligence
Sometimes accidents are just accidents and no one is at fault. However, if your slip and fall was the result of someone’s negligence, then you need an attorney.
A business that does not place proper “floor is wet” signage, or an office building that doesn’t fix stairs with loose tiles, or a restaurant with rugs that are trip hazards are negligent, as they have a duty to keep you safe when you enter the premises.
Similarly, if you are at work and your employer doesn’t provide proper safety training or equipment or encourages unsafe work conditions, you might have a case for negligence liability.
5. Fault Is Unclear
If you are assaulted, in a car accident, or hit by a car while walking or riding your bike, it’s relatively easy to determine fault. Because there is another person involved, the insurance companies can often determine who was at fault for the accident.
However, a slip and fall accident is tricky. Because there isn’t someone there actually pushing you to make you fall, it may be hard to prove that negligence was the cause of your slip and fall.
For example, if you slip on a wet floor, and there are no caution signs around, you will have to prove that the property owner knew the floor was wet and failed to provide a proper warning.
Similarly, if you slip on an unsecured rug, you’ll need to prove that the owner was aware and failed to properly secure it. In other words, you have to get those responsible for the property to admit they were at fault, which they are unlikely to do.
This is why you need a personal injury attorney. They have the expertise and the resources to determine who is at fault and will build a case to prove that.
You can get personal injury attorneys here that are experienced and compassionate.
Hire a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today
Slip and fall injuries can have significant negative consequences on your life and your wallet. If you want to make sure that you are adequately compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, and any pain and suffering you have experienced, you should contact a slip and fall injury lawyer.
The costs of medical care can be astronomical and they can help ensure that you get a fair settlement.
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