Slips and falls
Slip and fall is a term used to describe an accident in which someone slips, trips, or falls while on someone else's property, and gets injured as a result. Wet or slick spots, cracks, uneven ground, and other safety hazards should be taken care of before a visitor gets hurt. Cases like slip and fall are also referred to as premises liability and are often caused by the negligent actions of the property owner, landlord, or person responsible for controlling the property and looking after the safety of visitors. At Capital Injury and Disability Law, we handle dozens of slip and fall cases regularly. Here are a few important things to know if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident.
How Can You Recover Compensation for a Slip-And-Fall Accident?
The most common reason for a slip-and-fall accident is what is referred to as a dangerous condition, i.e., a safety hazard that should have been addressed by the property owner. If the property where the slip and fall accident was a commercial establishment, you may be able to seek compensation through their liability insurance carrier.
If the injury happened on a residential property, you may file a claim with the homeowner's insurance company. In addition, if you or anyone in your household carries PIP (Personal Injury Insurance), you may be able to use it to cover your medical expenses. If the injury happened on government property, you may still be able to recover compensation as long as you follow the strict rules and deadlines required to file a claim against a government agency.
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How Much Is a Slip And Fall Accident Case Worth?
The best way to find out how much your slip and fall case is worth is to consult with a seasoned personal injury attorney. While you may find some resources online that promise to calculate how much you will receive for your claim, these tools are often inaccurate and will likely under or overestimate the value of your case.
The severity of your injuries and the cost of current and future medical treatment are just a few examples of factors used to calculate how much your case may be worth. An attorney can look at the specifics of your case and provide you with a more personalized estimate, but generally speaking, the more severe your injuries, the higher your settlement amount is likely to be.
What Do I Need to Prove in Order to Sue for Slip And Fall Injuries?
In order to build a strong case for a slip and fall lawsuit, the plaintiff carries the burden of proof to demonstrate that the party in possession or control of the property caused the accident by neglecting to address an unsafe condition. The unsafe condition must have been known (or should have been discovered) by the property owner, and the property owner failed to correct it.
You must also demonstrate that your injury was a direct result of the property owner's negligence in correcting the dangerous situation, and not a consequence of your own carelessness. This means that if you were looking at your smartphone while walking around and walked on a wet spot that was clearly signaled, you will have a hard time proving that you slipped and fell because of someone else's actions.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
Slip and fall cases are notoriously hard to prove. Some cases may settle before ever going to trial. By hiring an attorney early on, you have better chances of presenting a strong case and fighting for maximum compensation. Even if your case does not go to court, there are many steps that need to happen before you can receive your award. Negotiations with insurance companies and paperwork are just a few examples of tasks a personal injury attorney can take over for you, so you can focus on getting better and back on your feet.
If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident and want to know if you have a case, reach out to Capital Injury and Disability Law at our Olympia location by calling 360-209-3360 and speaking to our knowledgeable legal team. We look forward to assisting you.