If you were recently injured from a fall due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, you might want to file a claim against the property owner’s insurance company.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth seeking a settlement for compensation in your slip and fall accident, you will need to consider what the settlement may be worth.
Each slip and fall claim will be different, so there’s no universal way to figure out how much your case may be worse.
But some common denominators will help you get a feel for what your claim may be worth.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents refer to several different types of accidents where a person slips and falls.
For example, if someone spills a drink at a restaurant, and the liquid causes you to slip, that’s a classic slip and fall.
Or you could trip and fall if the carpet on a hotel’s floor isn’t adequately tacked down.
No two slip and fall cases will ever be one and the same.
There are also slip and fall accidents referred to as “step and fall” accidents.
An example of these accidents would be when someone steps in a hole on an unexpected low spot on a dark sidewalk.
These accidents are also addressed under slip and fall law.
Slip and fall cases cover slips or trips over fixed objects, fluids, and many other accidents due to impediments or obstacles.
Past, Present and Future Medical Bills
Your medical bills will be a huge influence on the value of your settlement and how much compensation you ultimately receive.
Your medical expenses will include past and future medical treatment related to your fall.
A valid slip and fall claim will usually be at least be worth the value of your medical bills.
It’ll be safe for you to assume that you will at least receive compensation that will cover your medical bills.
But the damages you can recover from their insurance company won’t stop there.
Lost Wages and A Loss Of Future Earning Capacity
If you had to miss any time from work because of your injuries, you will be entitled to recover the value of the wages you would have earned if you weren’t injured.
Whether you are a salaried employee, work for tips, or you’re self-employed, a qualified personal injury lawyer can ensure you properly document your loss of income for your injury claim.
You will be required to verify the amount you earn and the time you missed due to your injury.
This is usually done with a tax return or a pay stub.
It’s also likely that your employer will have to verify in writing the amount of time you missed due to your injury and your typical salary or wage rate.
In addition to lost wages, you may also suffer a loss of income.
If you can’t return to work for an extended time, or ever, due to your injuries, the property owner may have to pay a lump sum for reduced earning capacity.
If you have to switch careers, they may need to foot the bill for vocational training in another field of work.
Pain and Suffering in a Slip and Fall Claim
Pain and suffering is the least predictable component of an injury claim in terms of what its value might be.
There’s no magical formula used to calculate pain and suffering, but the amount of your medical bills is usually used as the starting point.
Incidental Losses Related To The Accident
Your claim for slip and fall claim for damages should also include every expense incurred as a direct result of the accident.
So, if you need to hire a part-time housekeeper or babysitter to help out around the house or with your kids because of your injuries, that expense should be included in your injury claim.
All financial losses should be included in your claim, so be sure to save receipts from all incidental expenses related to your accident.
How Much Does A Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer Cost?
No matter how valid your claim is and how obvious the liability is, your insurance company will do everything in their power to keep from paying your full amount of financial losses.
That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney that can help you recover all of your economic and noneconomic damages.
I have many years of experience handling premises liability claims and other personal injury cases.
I handle most of my slip and fall and other personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so I don’t collect a dollar unless I recover money for my clients.