Today we are going to discuss “What All Slip And Fall Accident Victims Should Know”.
Slip and fall accidents are very common and typically result in injuries. In some instances, victims of a slip and fall accident will suffer an injury so severe it impacts them for the rest of their lives. This injury and subsequent disability can result in years of medical intervention and costly expenses.
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If you are a victim of a slip and fall accident and your injuries impact your normal daily life, you may want to think about making a claim for your damages. Here are some things you need to know if you plan to go this route.
Characteristics Of A Slip And Fall Accident
A slip and fall accident is defined as an accident in which the victim loses his or her footing on a surface and ultimately falls. Injuries are often a consequence of a slip-and-fall accident. Although one would assume a slip and fall accident would involve some sort of liquid on a surface, a slip and fall accident can happen on any type of fall through a stumble or tripping.
Some examples of slip and fall accidents include falling down a set of stairs, tripping on a buckled tile floor, stepping in a crack or hole, or slipping on standing water or ice on a hard walking surface.
Seeking Medical Care In A Slip and Fall Accident
Many slip and fall accidents result in simple injuries from which the victim can easily recover, such as scrapes and bruises. Unfortunately, other injuries may be more severe, even when they do not initially seem so. For example, if you slip, fall, and hit your head, you may notice a bruise initially. Although you may feel fine at first, you could later begin to suffer more serious symptoms such as loss of cognitive abilities.
So what should you do if you have a slip and fall accident? No matter the type of fall, even if the fall does not seem severe, you should go to the hospital to get checked. An injury that seems minor at first can turn out to be extremely serious, even life-threatening.
Legal Proceedings In A Slip And Fall Accident
If you choose to make a claim for your damages, you need to know what to do after a slip and fall accident. The first step is to consult with an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. Prepare all your important documents for the first lawyer consultation. They will evaluate the facts of your accident to determine if a you have a valid claim. Should you have a valid claim, the attorney will assist you in navigating the process. The property owner’s insurance company will likely be involved from the very beginning. It may be possible to settle your claim without the need of proceeding to litigation. If it is necessary to litigate your claim, then the attorney will move forward as needed. You should always discuss every option with your attorney before you decide how to proceed.
Economic Damages In A Slip And Fall Accident
In either instance, you and your attorney should determine how much your injuries are worth from a financial standpoint. This is referred to as your economic damages. Your economic damages include an ambulance ride, your hospital visit, and all subsequent treatments and therapies you need.
Your economic damages also include treatments you need throughout the rest of your life. Injuries from a slip and fall can impact you later in life, even if you believe you are fully healed. For this reason, your attorney will estimate a figure for any potential medical needs you have in the future.
You are also entitled to receive damages for the time you missed from work. Your attorney can claim your inability to work your normal job as a result of the injury from the accident. The inability to work in your industry means you are not able to make the same amount of money or no money at all.
Additionally, you may be entitled to other damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even punitive damages if the circumstances of your accident are particularly egregious or result in a catastrophic injury such as paralysis or severe brain trauma.
Now that you know “What All Slip And Fall Accident Victims Should Know” if you are the victim of a slip and fall accident. Please contact us at Cantor Injury Law for assistance.