Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere. They can also happen for a variety of different reasons.
Sometimes, slip and fall accidents occur because property owners negligently fail to address such hazards as:
- Spills
- Broken flooring or stairwells
- Ice/snow
- Other potentially dangerous conditions
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident because a property owner was negligent, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your medical bills and related losses by filing a claim with their insurer. This overview provides general information about how your slip and fall settlement might be calculated.
How Slip and Fall Claims Are Calculated?
Various factors can influence slip and fall settlements. During slip and fall settlement calculations, insurers, attorneys, and other such relevant parties may account for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, if an injury prevents you from working
- The cost of any medical or disability devices you needed to purchase due to your injury
- Legal fees
- Certain non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, etc.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are not always inclined to pay victims of slip and fall accidents what they deserve. This is because insurance is a business, meaning that an insurer’s goal may be to convince victims to accept slip and fall settlements that are unreasonably low.
You cannot expect an insurance adjuster to thoroughly explain to you how much compensation you deserve based on the severity and extent of your losses/damages. This is one of many reasons to consider hiring an attorney. Along with assisting in slip and fall settlement calculations, they can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Factors Taken into Consideration
Along with the above, other factors that may impact slip and fall settlements can include:
- Any state laws that might adjust compensation
- Severity of injuries (for instance, someone who sustains life-altering injuries that leave them in need of long-term care may receive a higher settlement than someone who breaks a bone and recovers fairly swiftly)
- Whether a liable party’s negligence qualifies as “gross negligence”
- The extent to which a victim’s own negligence contributed to their accident
What To Do If You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall
Taking the proper steps in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can play a critical role in your recovery and attainment of your eventual settlement. If you are ever involved in such an accident, you need to be sure to:
- Report the accident to the property owner (or an employee/manager if the owner isn’t present).
- If possible, take pictures of the conditions at the scene of the accident, as well as any signs of injury.
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you have been injured.
Next, strongly consider reviewing your case with a slip and fall lawyer. They can discuss your legal options and may help you pursue a fair slip and fall settlement if you decide to hire one.
Get in Touch With a Slip and Fall Lawyer
A slip and fall accident can result in serious injury. The CDC reports that approximately 3 million Americans receive treatment in the emergency departments of hospitals nationwide each year for injuries sustained in falling accidents. Additionally, slip and fall accidents can result in injuries that victims might not immediately notice, such as concussions.
You deserve to receive financial compensation if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of another party. Hiring a lawyer may boost your odds of securing the compensation for which you are eligible. For more information, complete the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
