The answer to this question is not that simple.
There are plenty of factors that play a vital role in the decision-making process, and all of them should be weighed carefully to make sure that the claim is not rejected.
Did you know that more than 32,000 people died in 2019 in slip and fall accidents? According to OSHA, the total count of non-fatal accidents was a whopping 230,000.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, before hiring a personal injury lawyer, why not find out if the case can be settled outside of court. Often, the responsible party wants to save face and therefore offer you immediate compensation.
Of course, this does not answer the question, “if the slip and fall injuries are not that severe, should I look into hiring a lawyer?” It’s a bit more complicated than that because it’s possible you might not feel any pain immediately but experience the full brunt of the injury a day or two later. Moreover, you have a social responsibility to bring attention to the matter so that someone else does not become a victim.
Let’s take a look at the basics of a slip and fall injury and then talk about what your next step should be:
What is a Slip and Fall Injury?
When talking about a slip and fall injury, we don’t mean accidents in the house or when you trip over your own feet. A person or third party does not cause this injury. The problem is a venue or facility with hazardous materials lying around that could injure you.
For example, it’s a bright Monday morning and you decide to walk to work because your office is only two blocks away. You take a different route from your usual and come across a building being constructed. As you pass by it, a piece of wood comes crashing down on your head, rendering you unconscious.
When you open your eyes, you find yourself surrounded by people on the street. One of them informs you that an ambulance is on the way. As you are about to say, “I’m fine,” you feel something trickling down your head. You raise your hand to touch it and see red fingers. You are bleeding, but you can’t feel it. In your dazed state, you look around and see nothing. That’s when you realize that there were no board signs on the construction site telling people “Work in Progress” or “Danger: Falling Objects.”
Since you got injured at the construction site, you can file a claim demanding compensation for medical expenses and lost salary. In such cases, contact a reputable legal firm like The Law Offices of John Mufson so they can assist you to get compensation for the damages.
Common Slip and Fall Injury Causes
- Icy Pavement
- Wet Floor
- Floor Transition
- Level-Changes in Steps
- Poor Lighting
- Uneven Walking Surface
- Obstructions
- Metal Walkways
- Loose Railings
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
As soon as possible!
Your chances of winning a personal injury case rely on clear recollection, evidence, and proving that the other party was at fault. If possible, take pictures of the scene or ask someone to do this for you if you are incapacitated. A few more details that you need to find out are, who the owner of the establishment is where you had the accident, were they at fault or the hired management, and who was on the premises at that moment.
A personal injury lawyer will use this information to build your case and file a claim. Following proper procedure gives you the peace of mind that you have done everything in your power to win the case and ensures you don’t get denied by your insurance agency.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you need to find the responsible party. For example, the person responsible for the accident that took place at the construction site is not the owner of the building but the contract they hired, who didn’t follow safety protocols. In this case, your lawyer will go after the contractor. The owner will be a part of the case too because it’s possible they might be charged with a hefty fine for negligence.
In conclusion, you should hire a personal injury lawyer for your slip and fall accident, even if it wasn’t that severe and you did not get severely injured. Apart from pain and suffering, general compensatory damages include loss of companionship and mental anxiety.
You might be traumatized after your near-death experience and require therapy. In the end, you will need compensation to cover your medical expenses. The Law Offices of John Mufson will help you secure your rightful compensation. Contact them @561-272-1003 if you have experienced a slip-and-fall accident.