AN OVERVIEW OF SLIP AND FALLS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An experienced personal injury lawyer should be able to answer your questions as it relates to slip and falls and the law. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall, you should contact a law office that focuses on slip and falls and understands the law of premises liability.

Every year many people are injured in a slip (or trip) and fall accident as a result of a wet floor, an uneven surface, or some other hazard. If someone slips or trips on someone else’s property, they may be able to bring a premises liability action against the property owner, and their home insurance is likely to step in to their shoes and provide coverage.

DO I HAVE A CASE?

Generally, property owners owe a duty of care to people visiting their property. There are a number of factors that can come into play when determining the strength of your case. For a slip and fall for instance, it may depend what area of the premises you slipped and fell, and how long the slippery substance existed on the floor, and whether a proper warning sign was present.

A property owner must be found negligent in order to successfully advance a premises liability case. A slip and fall lawyer should be able to put as much liability on the owner of the premises as possible, and properly document your injuries.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER I HAVE SLIPPED OR TRIPPED?

Your first prerogative should be seeking the appropriate medical attention as quickly as possible. It is always better at this stage to be overly cautious and seek the care you need. Once you have addressed any medical concerns, it is helpful to get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses. These witnesses may come in handy when assessing liability. It is also worthwhile to take pictures of any hazards. If it was a trip hazard you were injured on, it is helpful to take measurements of the height (or depth) of the uneven surface. You should also keep your footwear and not wear it again if possible. If you filled out an incident report, request a copy of the report. Finally, do not speak to any insurance company representatives before speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SETTLE MY CASE?

This question depends on how complex your case is and the severity of your injuries. It also depends on the reasonableness of the insurance company and the adjuster acting on their behalf. For most motor vehicle and slip and fall accidents, it takes between 1-3 years to achieve a fair resolution. It’s important to appreciate the full extent of your injuries and your prognosis for recovery before settling your claim on a full and final basis.

HOW MUCH IS MY CASE WORTH?

It is difficult to provide an exact value, as there are so many factors that are involved. It is possible that our law firm may be able to give you a range once we are familiar with your case. Our office will recommend you accept or dismiss an offer, if presented one from the other side, depending on the fairness and strength of the settlement proposal.

DO I NEED A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?

Premises liability cases can be complicated because of the nuanced law and claims process involved. At our law office we offer a free consultation and evaluation of your premises liability case. Please contact our office to get a better understanding of your slip and fall case.