When most people slip and fall, they blame it on their own clumsiness or stupidity. What they don’t think about is the negligence of the property owner. It is entirely possible that your natural imbalance caused you to fall, but it is also possible that someone else’s property was not set up safely. If you can actually prove that the property owner is the one at fault for your injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Here are some tips to help you go about this process.
Finding a Lawyer
The first thing you need to do is find a personal injury attorney that is going to be able to assess your case. You can set up a free consultation with this person and describe the events that led to your injury. He or she will consider all of the factors at hand to determine if you actually have a case or not. If so, you can start talking about pricing, timing, and the like. Your lawyer will give you a ballpark figure of what you should be able to get from the claim, and then you can decide if that is enough money to make up for the time spent in court. In most cases, the compensation will indeed outweigh the commitment.
Forming a Case
If your lawyer determines that you have a claim, he will need to take some time putting together a case. During this period, it will be your job to get him copies of medical records and other documents that can be used in your case. Some cases are really easy to prove, and others take a bit of creative investigation. You’ll just need to work with your attorney as much as possible.
Collecting a Sum
With all of the evidence in place, your attorney will take your case to court and speak on your behalf. You will be asked to write out a statement about the slip and fall, and you will probably asked to re-describe it when you’re in court. Tell your story in its entirety and then wait for the verdict. If everything goes well, your lawyer will then talk to the other party to determine how and when you will receive compensation.
You cannot file a lawsuit for every slip you have, but you shouldn’t rule out this option entirely. Under the right circumstances, you could easily receive compensation for your injuries.
Barbara Niedert is a freelance blogger, legal content writer, and research specialist. She lives with her husband, three daughters, and one border collie in Salt Lake City, Utah, home of leading legal firm Handy and Handy. Check out their website at www.handylawutah.com.