Almost everyone has had at least one ungraceful slip and fall accident in their lives, and most people have had many more than that. Often, these accidents are worth much notice; perhaps you get a funny story out of it to tell your friends later. However, while it’s very possible and even common to stand up completely unscathed, it doesn’t take much for a fall to result in a break, sprain, or other injury on the way down instead of a funny story. Medical costs for any kind of treatment can be budget-breaking, which is why victims often seek financial compensation when they can. There are a few important things to keep in mind when considering and pursuing a case for this kind of accident.
Identify the Liable Parties
Even if it happens at work or in a store, a slip and fall accident doesn’t guarantee any kind of compensation from the owner as much as you might wish or believe otherwise. However, there is often a good chance that there is someone at least partially responsible for your accident. Because of that, the first step in any accident case is to establish the parties who may be partially or completely liable for the incident. This usually includes property owners or caretakers as well as individuals responsible for overseeing the operations that created hazardous conditions.
Prove Negligence
Once liable parties have been identified, victims of a slip and fall accident need to prove that one of these parties behaved in a negligent manner. Negligence can be difficult to prove because there is some room for debate about what constitutes negligence in a specific scenario, but it generally follows common sense. For example, property owners that did not adequately address an obvious and persistent problem are likely to be considered negligent if that problem eventually leads to injury. If the hazardous conditions or obstacles were reasonably obvious to the victim, particularly if they were marked with warning signs, then the other party is likely to avoid liability for damages.
Build a Strong Case With an Attorney
Any victim of a serious slip and fall accident should consult with a personal injury lawyer to guide them through the process. It’s certainly possible to build and mount a case without expert assistance, but it’s rarely worth the higher risk of failure. Legal professionals who are familiar with the law can offer insight and tactics that can easily shift the outcome of the case.
Estimate the Total Impact of the Accident
Slip and fall cases aren’t just about temporary loss of work or compensation for medical treatment. Serious accidents can cause lasting injuries that permanently impact the victim’s quality of life and ability to work. It’s important for all accident victims to get medical attention and a full checkup as soon as possible to identify signs of serious damage.
A slippery floor or a loose step is enough to change someone’s life forever. For many people, pursuing compensation from negligent parties is the only viable way to address the personal and financial cost of circumstances beyond their control.
