How Can You Tell If a Slip and Fall Accident Is Faked?
A slip and fall accident can lead to serious injury, especially in the case of elderly folks. But, just because it seems like an easy injury to fake, doesn’t mean you should attempt it.
Most, if not all business are equipped with insurance coverage to handle accidents of this nature and the insurance companies are quick to search for any indicators that may prove that you’re faking your claim.
So, what will they use against you? Keep reading to find out.
How to Prove a Slip and Fall Accident Is Fake
A slip and fall attorney can help you with your claim as long as you have a strong case. But keep in mind that there are ways for the insurance company or business where you claim to have fallen to prove your guilt in the matter. Let’s take a look.
Eye Witnesses
Just one person that may have seen the slip and fall incident can be enough to prove fault or fraud in court. Businesses will likely call on any patrons on the property at the time of the accident for eye witness accounts. Even legitimate cases can be compromised with the testimony of an eye witness.
Photos/Video
Of course, in today’s day and age, photos and videos are everywhere. People are constantly recording things and taking pictures with their phones. The insurance company only needs one image to prove that a victim is lying about their sustained injuries.
Keep in mind that many public places also have video recorders scanning the property at all times.
Admissions Against Interest
If the victim says things like ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘it could have been avoided’, they may be inadvertently admitting their own fault in the incident. Insurance companies will jump at the chance to prove the victim is fake with these and similar statements.
Excited Utterances
If the victim says things like ‘I’m not hurt’ or ‘I’m okay’ immediately after the fall, this can be considered evidence to the case that indicates the victim is a fraud. An attorney will be hard-pressed to fight a case with this type of evidence.
Carelessness
Slip and fall accidents can, in fact, be the result of simple carelessness. If there was any signage or obvious spills at the time of the accident, insurance companies will present this as evidence of a fraudulent accusation.
How to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Slip and fall cases require hard proof that the slip and fall accident was not intentional or a result of carelessness.
If you have legitimately slipped and fallen in a public place, your best bet is to obtain a lawyer right away. They can point you in the right direction and argue with the insurance company for you so you can begin to move forward from the incident.
Remember, fraudulent accusations will only result in negative implications for you. Don’t claim what you can’t prove.
We hope you found this post helpful. Check out the rest of our site for reference when you need a lawyer.
5 Benefits to Having a Personal Injury Lawyer Represent You
A personal injury lawyer represents the claim for the impairment of any physical or emotional loss. This lawyer is a legal representative with all the knowledge about rules and regulations. That’s why personal injury lawyers help as much as possible for the preservation of law for a common person.
Factually, the personal injury lawyer reports daily life damages such as car crashes, physical injury from an accident or office injuries. Traffic collision and claiming about the injury is the most common case we can see in such lawyer’s life.
Many times, they are also legal advisors for people who require justice meanwhile we can see these representatives practicing under jurisdiction. For this reason, the injury lawyers first need Legal education and also require to pass ethics papers.
Same as this, personal injury lawyers are also involved in hospital cases for wrong treatments. That’s why they are an important part of the team while making medical consent for complicated treatments and surgeries.
So, it is better to hire a personal injury lawyer who not only represents you, but also supports a lot in getting justice. More benefits include;
For legal representation
The lawyers are trained in prosecuting any case legally with all the pros of commandments. For claiming personal injury one must need to have complete knowledge about the rights. For this reason hiring a representative with the help of an agency is not a bad idea. And when firms like Folger Law Firm is there then your stress would be lessened by 80%.
Enthusiasm and motivation
The true quest while getting the lawyer is the confidence that one achieves. And while we actually know that a strong case needs motivated and confident representatives in order to get success.
The experienced lawyers would not only give you confidence, but also assure the scenario while telling about the past experiences and cases. Then again, the personal injury lawyers also motivate a person in settling for the best possible chances.
Proceeds the case orderly
The preplanning and alignment of the story require expertise and experience that one cannot proceed easily. Only lawyers are trained in this way that they continue the case orderly subjecting the important points highlighted.
From filing the claim case to representation in court, the personal injury lawyers are always there by your side.
Better investigation
Thus, in this way, these legal images also make sure about the genuine case and the conditions applied. Since many times the complicated cases are very simple but require little investigation. Hence, lawyers are also expert in investigating the real issues while helping as much as possible in suggesting the best possible solution
Better chances to win the filed case
As the lawyers are trained and have learned all the basic techniques for representation of a claim. They also help in succeeding the filed claim or settlements. But the settlements also need proper law knowledge to get the best results in your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a PI Lawyer?
If you are a victim of personal injury, one of the initial worries you may have is whether you have the funds to hire yourself a personal injury (PI) lawyer. In most cases, there won’t be any upfront costs involved. This is to ensure that the injury victim can gain access to all of the medical treatment that is deemed necessary and to ensure that their legal rights will be protected. If an attorney is something you need, you should not forfeit your right to one just because you are worried about payment methods. Fully understanding the costs is essential before hiring a legal professional.
How Are PI Lawyers Paid?
The majority of personal injury lawyers won’t ask for victims of an accident to pay for the attorney fees from their own funds. Instead, a contingent fee agreement is used to cover the costs of the attorney fees. This is where a lawyer will get paid a percentage from the absolute settlement. Not only does this reduce the amount of stress the client has to deal with, but it also motivates the PI lawyer to win the case and obtain as much compensation as they possibly can. If they don’t win, they won’t get paid.
What Do Contingent Fees Cover?
The contingency fee agreement will be subject to court fees and ligation costs. This includes the fees required to file a lawsuit, medical record copying costs, fees for an expert witness and other relevant expenses. You need to understand whether the contingent fee your attorney is entitled will be determined before or after these expenses have been taken off the total amount that is settled. Settlements can be subject to medical liens filed against the award for personal injury.
What Are Hourly Fees?
Sometimes, PI lawyers will set an agreement for an hourly fee rather than a contingency fee, however, this is a less common form of payment. If this is the case for your desired PI lawyer, then they will have a set hourly rate that you will have to pay them, once signing a contract that states the rate and putting down a deposit. This is something you need to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury lawyer.
What is a Practical Hourly Rate?
Most attorneys will have a set rate that they deem reasonable. Attorneys that don’t do this are at risk of being sanctioned by the state for violating ethical obligations. There isn’t a test to determine what a reasonable rate would be, but there are a number of factors that can be considered, such as the amount of labor and time required, how complex the case is, the probability of winning the case, the rates of the local legal services, the importance of/the amount involved, the length and nature of the professional relationship between the client, the lawyer’s experience, diligence and reputation, and if the fee is contingent or fixed.
Whether the personal injury you acquired was caused by an accident in the workplace, medical malpractice, a vehicle or something else, then it’s essential that you get yourself a personal injury attorney with plenty of experience and a good reputation. Just make sure you understand their method of payment before choosing your attorney.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured at Work?
Being injured at your place of work can be a stressful and frightening experience. On one hand, you might be worried about the fact that you won’t be able to work due to your injury. How will you continue to pay your bills and cover medical expenses while you take time off from work to recover? At the same time, you might be concerned that your employer was somehow at fault. Many people even have the irrational fear that they’re going to be fired for getting injured as if it’s somehow proof of their own clumsiness or incompetence. Fortunately, all of the aforementioned concerns can become non-issues if you heed the simple tips given below:
1. Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Anyone who is injured on the job should consider speaking to a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Even if you feel like the injury was entirely your own fault due to a mistake that you made, there’s still a very good chance that some of the liability would legally fall on your employer, which would provide grounds for filing a claim. Every employer that operates a place of business with employees is legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance for this exact reason, so they often will not hesitate to make use of their policy to avoid the hassle of going to court. Still, having a good lawyer in your corner will help you maximize your chances of obtaining maximum compensation.
2. Obtain Medical Treatment and Documentation
If you haven’t already been treated by a medical professional, now would be a good time to handle that. If you have, go ahead and collect your medical records from that the hospital or doctor’s office where you received treatment. This will often be the only tangible input you’ll need to provide your attorney with in order to initiate the process of filing a successful claim. Without such documentation to serve as evidence on your behalf, you’ll have a much lower chance of having your claim approved.
3. Understand Your Own Rights
Now that you have all the proof and assistance that you need to move forward with the process, it’s still important to do your own research to make sure you’re familiar with your exact rights. That way, you can have meaningful and collaborative conversations with your lawyer from an informed perspective. Since the laws vary by state, you’ll need to look into your own state’s statutes and guidelines that govern workers’ compensation insurance and claims.
Don’t Let Your Compensation Go Unclaimed
Anybody who is injured at work and doesn’t at least attempt to file a workers’ compensation claim is probably leaving money on the table for no reason. Obviously, when you’re dealing with a loss of income and increased expenses due to medical bills, you can’t afford to also leave your compensation unclaimed. Thus, it’s imperative to take workers’ compensation seriously and perform the above steps at your earliest possible convenience.
Burden of Proof in Civil Cases: Understanding Personal Injury Lawsuits
Despite what we see on tv, only 4%-5% of personal injury cases in America ever make it to trial. The rest are settled out of court.
However, in order to reach a settlement, the plaintiff must understand that the burden of proof in civil cases rests entirely on them. If you’ve been injured and someone else is at fault, you’ll need to provide a standard of proof in personal injury lawsuits in order to receive any money.
If you’re wondering about the burden of proof in personal injury and how to build a strong defense, keep reading. We’re going to share with you everything you need to know to get the compensation you deserve.
What the Burden of Proof in Civil Cases Means
The burden of proof in personal injury lawsuits falls to the injured party. It’s their responsibility to convince an insurance adjuster, judge or jury that the person or business being sued is solely responsible for causing the injuries.
The standard of proof in personal injury lawsuits refers to how convincing the argument must be to convince the judge, jury or insurance adjuster into believing it’s true.
Standard Burden of Proof Must Be Higher than 50%
While criminal cases must prove the case is “beyond a reasonable doubt,” in a civil personal injury claim, the burden of proof is thankfully much lower. The burden of proof in tort law is to make a convincing argument that the civil injury claim is “more likely than not” true.
What that means is that the evidence being presented by the injured party is true by at least 51%. Meanwhile, the defendant does not have to prove that his or her version of events is true at all.
Nor do they have to convince a judge or jury that there is an alternative version of events.
Affirmative Defense
The only exception to this rule is when a defendant tries to prove an affirmative defense. An affirmative defense is when the defendant provides and proves additional facts that can defeat the plaintiff’s claim.
And they only need to provide enough proof that the defendant’s claim is most likely true than not.
How to Gather Evidence to Prove Your Case
The most important element in learning how to build a strong defense is to gather the proper evidence to support your claim. It’s always helpful to work with a knowledgeable attorney who can help you determine which information and evidence will help you win.
As in the case of truck accident law, the more information you have with an attorney who handles those types of cases, the more prepared you are to present sound evidence to the judge or jury.
When to Start Gathering Evidence
As soon as you’re injured, you should begin gathering evidence. If you can, have photographs and video taken at the scene. Pictures don’t lie and they are a great way to sway a judge or jury quickly.
You should also gather the names, addresses, and contact numbers of any witnesses to your injury. You’ll want to follow up with them to get their statements as soon as you’re able.
Get Copies From the Police and Doctors
Next, order a copy of the police report. You should also request copies of all medical records and bills pertaining to your injury.
Later on, you can order a copy of the police report and request copies of all your medical records and bills.
The Discovery Process
While the evidence mentioned above is often enough standard of proof in personal injury lawsuits for a small claims court, you’ll be required to participate in the discovery process for any lawsuits filed in a higher court.
While you can file and pursue a case in small claims court on your own, you should definitely hire a personal injury attorney to help you with the discovery process.
Information Your Lawyer Will Collect for Your Case
The lawyer will use requests for admission, subpoenas, and interrogatories to gather information which will be used as evidence such as:
- Driving and arrest records
- Asset checks
- Insurance policy limits
- Proof of other sources of insurance money
- Phone records from the defendant
- Surveillance films from businesses
Your attorney will then find a way to present this information to a jury in a way that’s easy to understand.
What You Must Prove in a Prima Facie Injury Case
Prima facie is Latin for “on its face” meaning you just have to prove that you have good reason to claim the defendant is at fault for your injuries. However, you’ll be required to prove that the defendant:
- Was directly responsible for causing your injuries through their negligent act
- Deliberately did something wrong or failed to act in a way that any reasonable person would do
- Had a duty of care to prevent harm to other individuals
- Was in breach of their duty of care
But it’s not enough to prove that the defendant was at fault.
Providing Proof of Real and Measurable Damages
You must also prove that you suffered damages that are both real and measurable such as:
- A loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Have out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Medical bills
It will be the weight of your evidence that convinces a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
Why You Need an Attorney
If your case is worth enough that you need to pursue it in a higher court, you’ll need a personal injury lawyer to receive the best outcome. Not only are trial lawyers well-versed in this particular area of the law, but it will take hours for them to prepare for your trial.
A good personal injury attorney knows where to find the strengths and weaknesses of your case. And they can also understand and utilize the evidence the defense is planning to offer through discovery.
If there is any evidence that the defense puts forth that may eliminate or refute your claim, the attorney can work to strengthen any favorable evidence. And they also know how to convince a jury and judge to rule in your favor.
Find a Good Lawyer Today
Now that you understand how and why the burden of proof in civil cases lies with the injured party, it’s time to find a good lawyer.
Not only can they help you get the money you deserve, but they will also make sure it happens before the statute of limitations runs out. Search our directory to find a qualified personal injury attorney near you.
What to Do When You’ve Had an Accident at Work
Your place of work is typically one of the places you spend most of your time on a weekly basis. You don’t have to love your job, but at the very least you should find the environment to be safe, comfortable and friendly. In some rare situations an accident may occur at the workplace. This could involve injuries such as muscles strains, cuts and lacerations, slips and falls, and much more. Hazards are more prominent in certain industries but even an office environment poses certain threats. It’s the responsibility of the employer to take appropriate steps to ensure every member of staff is aware of the business’ health and safety procedures and does the minimum required of them to prevent injury to themselves or their colleagues.
The Fatal Accident Claims firm in the UK is an experienced team of solicitors who specialise in fatal accident claims and accidents at work. They have provided some of the steps to take when you’ve been involved in a workplace accident.
Seek Appropriate Medical Attention
It should go without saying that your immediate priority should be to seek medical attention. Don’t think about anything else, such as compensation and responsibility, until you have received treatment on your injuries. Your business should have a designated first aider who you should visit as soon as possible. If this isn’t possible, ask a colleague to bring the first aider to you. They should have access to a first aid kit to help ease the affect of your injuries. It’s not uncommon for people to brush off the need for medical attention. Even if the injuries seem minor, head to your doctor or the nearest hospital for professional treatment and assessment. If you do need to visit a hospital, go with another person such as a colleague to ensure your safety and wellbeing.
Report the Accident
At your earliest convenience you should report the accident to your colleagues and manager for several reasons. First of all, if the accident was a result of an environmental hazard, it’s important to alert others so they don’t suffer from a similar accident to yourself. In the event of a compensation claim it’s also important that you have followed appropriate procedures to officially report the accident, especially if your employer intends to dispute the fact that it occurred. In some cases you may even be in breach of your contact should you fail to report the accident within a sensible timeframe and without following your business’ reporting protocols. If the injuries are serious, then your employer may be required to report the accident to the Health and Safety Executive.
Gather Evidence
When, and only when, you have received suitable treatment and are not in immediate danger, you should start the process of gathering evidence. Even if you have doubts about whether a claim is possible and are unsure of who was responsible, it’s essential to gather what you can to help with any potential claim for compensation. Your employer is not your friend in this situation and when a legal challenge takes place for claiming compensation, they may try to dispute parts of your perspective of the accident or the accident in its entirety. The best type of evidence you can gather is photos and video footage of the accident scene and your injuries. Aim for good quality footage and capture multiple angles so you can better portray how the accident occurred. You may also wish to talk to a colleague who witnessed the accident and collect their contact details in case they can be used as a witness on your side.
Document the Proceeding Weeks
The accident can have a significant impact on your life in the following weeks and months. It’s important to document how it has affected you and the symptoms you’ve sustained. Keep a daily diary which can be used to portray a strong case for your right to compensation. Some of the symptoms and injury severity may fade over time while other ones may only show later on. The affects of an accident aren’t always clear at the time it happened. What is on your initial medical report might not fully represent your injuries. If the symptoms persist or new ones appear, consider visiting your GP regularly. Your right to compensation and the amount you are entitled to depends on how the accident affected your day-to-day life and the seriousness of your injuries, including your mental stability. As part of this documenting process, keep a record of the expenses and losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. This can include how spending time away from work has affected you, disruptions to planned holidays, and requiring regular care from family and friends.
Seek a Specialist Solicitors Firm
When the time is right, start looking at a specialist solicitors firm that is right for chasing the compensation you’re eligible for. You should look to appoint a firm that is qualified, specialises in fatal work accidents, and will have your best interests at the forefront of what they do. Before committing to recruiting them, seek a free no-obligation conversation to determine if they are right for you. It’s also recommended that the solicitors you appoint work on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you will only pay their fees should the case win in court.
What to do if you sustained an injury from a commercial vehicle
Driving a vehicle or being involved in traffic in any way comes with numerous risks. Potential accidents just wait to happen and unfortunately people get injured every single day. If such thing happens to you, you will probably wonder what to do next. At first you will likely be in shock, which is normal, but important thing is to calm down and try to be as gathered as possible. Remember that the steps you take right after the accident with a commercial vehicle will have a huge impact on your overall health and your legal rights.
Important Steps to Take After the Accident
First step is to check whether you have sustained any injuries. Regardless of how small or insignificant your injuries look at first, always seek medical attention by calling an ambulance. Many times, injuries from vehicle accidents that happen in Houston, Texas come with delayed symptoms. At first you might not feel pain because of the adrenaline surge, but sometimes even the smallest injuries may cause life-threatening integral bleeding. Therefore, call 911 and wait for the ambulance to come at the place of accident.
Calling police is also thing you must do. They will secure the scene, regulate traffic, and will prepare an official report for the vehicle accident. They will also examine the accident scene and will take some pictures, but it is also important to take pictures yourself. You should also gather as much information as possible about the accident, because that will serve as evidence and will help you later. However, instead of you doing all this, best thing to do is to call an experienced vehicle accident lawyer. There are many quality lawyers working in Houston area in Texas, so get in touch with http://lawtx.com immediately. A quality personal injury lawyer will do everything necessary for you, like gather witness statements, communicate with police and other parties involved in the accident, get in touch with insurance companies and so on.
You may have legal right for compensation if you got hit by a commercial vehicle, but there are many things that should be considered. Sometimes multiple parties might be at fault and there might be many regulations, provisions and laws that should be examined. Lawyer is always needed because you might get in trouble for whatever you say to the police or to the other party involved. Regardless of what had happened, smart thing to do is to never say anything until your lawyer comes. Be polite after the accident, but do not apologize or admit guilt. Anything you say may compromise your right to claim compensation for your injuries. Just state the obvious facts and leave everything to the experts to handle the rest.
As we can conclude, calling an experienced and skilful lawyer is a must-do if you get hurt by a commercial vehicle. That is the only way for your legal rights to be protected and for you to get a fair compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident.
Should You Consider Legal Funding For Your Injury Claim
It is never fun to be harmed at the hands of another individual. This is especially true if you are harmed to the point where you become disabled or can’t work anymore. Most people don’t think that something like this can happen to them, but you would be surprised to learn just how often this occurs. Just look at the latest claims with Johnson and Johnson. That being said, a personal injury case can be a whole ordeal. Not only do you have to devote your time, but you will end up devoting a good deal of your money. Heck, if you are injured to the point of where you can’t work, you might not even be able to afford to fund your own case. This is exactly where legal funding can come in handy. Of course, this doesn’t mean that legal funding is the best solution for you.
Understanding Personal Injury Loans
When most people are harmed at the hands of another individual they don’t know that they have the option of legal funding. This type of funding is usually referred to as a personal injury loan. However, it should not be mistaken for a loan because a loan is something that you have to pay back. Personal injury loans are not something that will need to be repaid. This is even the case if you lose the case. However, you will have to find a company that is willing to cover the legal funding. There are a number of them out there and they will give you the funds that you need to regain financial independence while going through your claim.
Qualifying Is Simple
To state the obvious, going through a personal claim case will not only be expensive, but it will be stressful. Luckily, qualifying for a loan is easier than you would imagine. In fact, if you are injured at the hands of another individual due to gross negligence, there is a chance that you’re going to qualify for a pre-settlement loan. Still, this will depend on numerous variables. Also, keep in mind that you will need to hire a personal injury attorney before getting approved for this type of funding.
Little To No Paperwork
Not only is the qualification process, but the entire process of filing for funding takes little to no paperwork. You can even have the worst credit in the world or have just recently filed bankruptcy and you will still be able to receive the cash you so desperately need before the injury case is settled, won, or over. In addition to this, there is no income verification, credit check, or pretty much no paperwork at all. Your attorney and the funding company will handle everything.
If You Need Risk-Free Results
No matter how you are injured or who injured you, a personal injury settlement is always a tricky one. There is no guarantee that you will come out ahead or win the case. However, that is not the case with this type of funding. If you are utilizing a professional lawsuit funding company they will not even ask for any money upfront, which is a win for you.
4 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Firm
When you’re in need of a personal injury firm, you know that you need to verify that the lawyer is a member of the American Bar Association and licensed to practice law in your state.
You even know to speak directly to past clients and read online reviews.
But what other questions should you ask a personal accident lawyer? Read on to learn more.
1. What’s Your Experience with Cases Similar to Mine?
What’s first up on our list of questions to ask a personal injury lawyer?
You need to know how many times they’ve handled cases similar to your own in the past. This way, they’ll be able to anticipate common setbacks, have a familiarity with the filing process/required documentation, and know the laws surrounding your case inside and out.
You don’t want your case to be someone’s learning experience.
2. What Is Your Court Record?
Next, ask them about the number of personal injury cases they’ve won and lost.
When you ask about their court record, also get to know the average settlement amount they’ve secured for clients.
When hiring a personal injury lawyer, you should also ask how many times they’ve helped a client settle out of court. In some cases, it may be better for everyone involved to prevent a courtroom case.
After all, it means you’ll walk away with at least something.
3. Who Else Will Work on My Case?
Before you make a final decision about a personal injury firm, you need to know who else will handle your case.
Will the lawyer do most of the work themselves, or will they farm it out to interns and less-experienced lawyers?
What kind of connections in the medical, psychological, and legal field do they have? The bigger their personal network, the stronger of a case they’ll be able to build for you.
4. What Is Your Billing Structure?
It’s no secret that working with a personal accident lawyer can be expensive.
So, before you commit to one, make sure you understand their billing cycle and structure.
For example, are they paid by the hour or do they have a set fee? What is included in the cost of their services? Will you need to pay for them to hire additional experts or attorneys? What about court and filing fees?
How often will you be billed, and what is the amount of your monthly statement?
Having these things in writing ahead of time will save you a serious headache later.
What Else Should You Look for in a Personal Injury Firm?
When you’re on the hunt for the right personal injury firm, don’t just go with whoever your friends and family recommend.
You need to find someone with a strong court record, who is familiar with the specifics of your case, and who you feel you can communicate well with.
Need more help in understanding how to find the best personal injury lawyer? Curious about what to expect from your day in court?
Our blog has the answers to all that and more. Bookmark our page so you don’t miss out.
Slipped and fell? 4 things to do before you file
Buildings, parking lots, walkways, malls, stores and homes all have one thing in common: They’re all places that anyone could potentially slip and fall. The saddest and most frustrating thing about the whole thing, is that it’s usually not the claimants fault. All these places must, by law be safe to navigate and to use, this is also known as premises liability – for more information check out this slip and fall lawyer in Toronto. This negligence could mean that you’re entitled to compensation, but before you file there are a few others steps you should take. Remember, the action you take immediately after a slip or fall can help you build the best legal case.
Here you’ll find 4 things you should do before you file after your slip and fall accident.
Seek medical treatment first
Don’t put it off. Your health – or the health of a loved one who has fallen – is your number one priority. Not only because we don’t want to be in pain, and we want to ensure that we’re on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. But also because a medical professional will properly document any injuries sustained. If you decide to go ahead with your case, then these medical documents will be important pieces of evidence, so seek medical treatment as quickly as possible.
Report the incident
It can seem frustrating but going through the proper channels means that you’re building the strongest possible case. So, regardless of where the slip and fall took place – a store, side walk, even a friend’s house – you need to report the incident as soon as possible to the landlord, manager or property owner. They should also complete their own report which you can request a copy of.
Keep your cool
Falling and injuring yourself is a traumatic and worrying time. You’ll undoubtedly be in pain, upset and angry that this has happened to you. However, it’s important to remain calm. The property manager will most likely wish to speak with you to perhaps calm the situation and potentially try to pass the blame onto you. Limit your communication with them and decline to give any statements to insurance companies etc until you have your own legal representative present. It’s also advisable to refrain from posting anything about your slip and fall onto social media.
Call an attorney
If you intend to seek compensation and believe that you have a claim due to the negligence of the other party, then you need to get legal help as soon as possible. These kinds of claims aren’t always black and white, they often be complex and require a law firm with lots of experience and knowledge in this area in order to get you the result you want. So make sure you do plenty of research before choosing an attorney to represent you.
A good attorney will handle all the paperwork and jargon, so you don’t have to. They will worry about the deadlines and targets, and they should treat your like the most important client in the world, not just another case file.
