In 2024, slip-and-fall accidents were the leading cause of accidental injuries, accounting for over 8 million emergency room visits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), slips, trips, and falls led to 450,540 work injuries and 865 work-related deaths.
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause physical harm, emotional distress, and financial burdens. These accidents can occur in various ways, such as tripping on an uneven sidewalk, slipping on a wet floor, or falling down a defective staircase.
Hiring a slip-and-fall attorney can help safeguard your rights and secure reasonable compensation, according to https://www.eastonlawoffices.com/.
Keep in mind that not all slip-and-fall accidents require the services of a lawyer.
This article will help you determine if you need an attorney for your slip-and-fall case by highlighting key factors that may influence your decision.
Assessing the Severity of Your Injuries
Evaluating the seriousness of your injury is important since it will be the basis of whether you should hire legal counsel.
Look at any visible marks, like bruises, swelling, or cuts, and consider how your injury may affect your daily life and ability to work. If the injuries hinder routine chores or need medical guidance, you might have a better claim to pursue.
Newnan personal injury attorney Dalton Trammell advises you to immediately present the symptoms before a doctor to help you understand your conditions and assist you in your claim.
Understanding the Circumstances of the Accident
Investigating the facts of your slip-and-fall accident helps you make an informed decision about whether to hire a lawyer for the settlement or not.
Check if there were clear hazards in the accident site that made your fall possible. See if the place was already in a neglected condition.
Things like weather, lighting, and warnings may have been other contributing factors to your slip-and-fall injury. Include dates, times, and even the addresses of the accident to provide more context for the incident.
Evaluating the Potential Liability of Property Owners
It is important to evaluate the liability of the property owner in connection with the slip and fall. Check if there were any prior reports of accidents at the site.
A proficient slip-and-fall attorney can determine whether the owner has implemented reasonable measures to mitigate the hazards or if they have simply overlooked these potential risks. They will build a case by examining maintenance records, photographs, and statements from eyewitnesses that support your claims.
Property owners who deliberately neglect to maintain facilities and cause foreseeable injury to property users may be held responsible in a slip-and-fall case.
Considering the Insurance Coverage Involved
Even if you have a good case against a property owner, his insurance may affect your claim. Always check the property owner’s insurance type and policy limits when filing claims. The insurance product taken out by the property owner could cover all or some costs, including medical bills. A property owner who lacks insurance or has poor insurance coverage could suffer a loss in damages.
Some policies come with important claim drafts that can affect your case. Approach a lawyer specializing in premises liability cases to help you sort out the insurance details and decide on the best steps to take.
Determining the Timeline for Filing a Claim
Familiarizing yourself with the statute of limitations that applies to your slip-and-fall claim is important since failing to meet the deadline invalidates your claim.
In general, the deadline set by the law will vary from one to six years, depending on where you live.
Having a slip-and-fall lawyer guarantees that all of your important deadlines are met and that your claim is filed as efficiently as possible.
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