When you experience a slip and fall on another person’s property, your initial feelings often include pain and confusion.
While the pain should prompt you to seek medical attention, you might be unsure about what steps to take next.
Following a slip and fall incident, many clients find themselves pondering:
- Is the accident my fault?
- Is someone else responsible for the accident?
- Who will cover my medical expenses?
- Is there potential compensation available for me?
- Do I need to consult with a lawyer?
The answers to these questions can vary depending on the circumstances.
However, if you’ve been injured in a fall on someone else’s property, it’s generally advisable to at least seek an initial legal consultation.
When Should I Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer?
Promptly seek legal advice following any accident or serious injury, especially after a slip and fall.
Hazardous conditions may be quickly rectified, making it harder to prove the property owner’s negligence as the cause.
When consulting a slip and fall lawyer, their primary focus is gathering evidence regarding the fall’s circumstances and potential causes.
If you managed to take photos or talk to witnesses after the incident, sharing this information during your initial consultation is highly valuable.
How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help Me?
Your lawyer can take additional actions to support your claim and safeguard your rights, including:
- Calculating Damages: Assessing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages by reviewing evidence of your injury-related costs and life impacts.
- Determining Liability: Differentiating between slip and falls on residential walkways and those at commercial properties to identify responsibility for property safety and the negligence behind your injuries.
- Meeting Filing Deadlines: Complying with state-specific statute of limitations for slip and fall and personal injury claims, ensuring timely filing to pursue fair compensation. In Connecticut, you generally have 2 years to file, while in New York, you typically have 3 years, but shorter deadlines may apply depending on the location. Local laws may also affect your claim if you’re in both states.
Ex: Slip and Fall Claims Involving a Government or Municipal Property
In Connecticut, suing the government for negligence differs from private property claims.
You have just one year to file, and prompt notices to the state are often required.
In New York, you have only ninety days to make a personal injury claim against the state.
Special rules apply to claims against municipal governments, potentially limiting liability.
In slip and fall cases, individuals may not be aware of applicable state and local laws, but lawyers are equipped to understand and apply the law on behalf of their clients.
Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help Me Recover Damages?
Every case is different; past results don’t ensure the same outcome.
When choosing a lawyer for a slip and fall, consider their experience and track record.
Slip and falls are premises liability claims.
Your attorney should have a history of negotiating with insurance companies.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto you in dangerous property claims.
A skilled slip and fall lawyer anticipates and counters these tactics.
They handle negotiations with the insurer to improve settlement chances.
Usually, slip and fall claims settle out of court.
Yet, a competent lawyer should be prepared to go to trial if needed.