The National Floor Safety Institute reports approximately 8 million hospital visits occurring every year due to falls, ranging from the less serious to non-fatal injuries. This gives an idea of how much falls are a public health issue in the United States.
According to Irvine slip and fall attorney Peter Corrales, the majority of injury cases that are settled are slip and fall cases. Such injuries occur when a person slips while unwittingly walking over a newly mopped floor in a shop. A slip and fall can cause fractured bones, injuries to soft tissues, spinal cord injuries, sprains and strains, or even traumatic brain injuries.
This article explores the benefits of hiring a slip and fall attorney for your compensation claim and recovery.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall cases contribute to some of the main reasons individuals bring premises liability claims.
A premises liability attorney is mostly concerned with whether the plaintiff had any reason to be on the property. Trespassers, for instance, do not typically have a valid premises liability claim since owners owe duties of care only to authorized visitors.
In a slip-and-fall case, factors such as a wet floor, bumps, cracks, holes in the surface, or uneven surfaces could affect the attribution of fault. In case the victim ignores a warning sign that preexisted, the property owner will be liable, and the owner will then have to suffer damages on behalf of the victim.
The Importance of Legal Representation
Legal processes and compensations awards for damages can be difficult to decipher without a slip-and-fall lawyer’s help. A good lawyer is knowledgeable of all areas of law and can procure evidence like witness statements and medical histories.
Engaging a slip and fall lawyer during insurance negotiations will prevent insurers from taking advantage of you. They can come up with the best legal strategies for your case by utilizing their legal expertise.
How an Attorney Can Strengthen Your Case
Your legal representative will take the event specifics and acquire the evidence they perhaps deem necessary. This evidence may be in any shape or form, such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records. The evidence is meant to clarify the account of what happened and to assign blame for the injuries you suffered.
Their legal counsel and external support increase the amount you can be compensated for by an insurance company.
Common Challenges in Slip and Fall Claims
It’s possible those pursuing slip-and-fall cases could encounter a number of potential problems.
In a slip-and-fall incident, the injured person faces the additional challenge of unclear legal responsibility, as the legal liability must be apportioned. To successfully prevail over a defendant party, it has to be demonstrated that the owner was asked to keep the place safe. In some situations, collecting tangible evidence can be nearly impossible, particularly when the incident is recent, and traumatized victims are still in some sort of physical/mental shock and cannot clinically distinguish what evidence should be procured or not.
Another potential challenge is that the insurer may blame the claimant for the incident or for notifying them late. The lawyer will help you meet all the legal deadlines that could lead to rejection or weakening of your claim.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
Immediately begin evaluating the patient for injuries and call EMS. Usually, some injuries can manifest at a later time, and seeking medical advice may help clarify the diagnosis of the initial symptom seen, mitigating potential further harm done.
Take photographs of the accident and of any unsafe conditions that may have caused it. If possible, take photographs of your visible injuries. Witnesses could also be asked for statements and their contact information so that said statements may be used in court hearings in the future.
Report the accident to the owner or manager, and ask for a copy of the report. Never admit that you were at fault for an accident or sign anything until you consult your lawyer.
Keep a record of all doctor visits and any out-of-pocket expenditures. Set an appointment with a lawyer who will help you out in processing an incident report aimed at protecting your rights.
Stand firm on your case by asserting your rights and hiring an attorney for slip and fall cases who will represent you through all the intricate stages of the legal process until you obtain your due compensation.
