It never feels good to get injured, but it's even worse when the injury is caused by someone else. If you’ve experienced a slip-and-fall accident because of another person’s negligence, you know how daunting and confusing the situation can be. It takes courage and knowledge of your legal rights for you to receive fair compensation and justice.
In this article, we explain why you deserve compensation after suffering a slip-and-fall injury. Then we show you what steps you can take in your fight for financial recovery.
Defining Slip-and-Fall Injuries - What Are They and When Do They Occur
Slip-and-fall injuries can occur anywhere, from a grocery store to a friend's house. These accidents happen when an individual loses their footing on a surface, resulting in a fall. Slip-and-fall injuries can range from minor bruises to severe head trauma.
Common causes include:
- Wet floors
- Poorly lit areas
- Uneven sidewalks
- Foreign obstructions
A Business’s Duty of Care to Its Customers
When you walk into a business, you should expect to be safe and well-cared for. It’s not just a reasonable expectation, but it’s also that business’s legal responsibility.
The law defines this as a “duty of care” to customers. Each business is responsible for ensuring a safe environment for its customers.
By spending money at a business, customers are essentially trading away a portion of their livelihood. The customer’s money keeps that business running, and the only reason for this location is to serve customers. That’s why businesses must take every reasonable step to keep their customers safe.
Pursuing Compensation in a Slip-and-Fall Case
If you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, consult a good attorney. They can help you seek financial compensation. Sometimes, they can negotiate a settlement with that company. In some cases, however, it’s necessary to take the matter to court.
Collecting Evidence in Your Slip-and-Fall Case
- Secure your medical records to prove the extent of your injuries.
- Speak to any witnesses who saw the incident and ask them to provide a statement.
- Take photos of the scene of the accident, including any hazards that may have contributed to your fall.
Establishing Negligence in a Slip-and-Fall Case
Establishing negligence means proving that someone failed to take the necessary steps to prevent an injury. This is a vital step in any personal injury case. It determines liability and holds the responsible party accountable.
Negligence is the result of a lack of action or improper action. Identifying the responsible party will depend on the specifics of the case.
In a slip-and-fall claim, you must show what the business did or didn’t do, resulting in your fall.
This may include:
- Poor lighting
- Having cluttered aisles
- Leaving spills unattended
- Failing to properly warn customers of hazards
Calculating the Cost of Injury - The Impact on Your Health and Finances
Injuries can impact both your health and your finances. They result in high medical costs along with missed work and income. You should take the time to calculate this cost, especially when preparing for your slip-and-fall case.
A personal injury claim can pay you back for any cost that you incurred from your injuries. This includes medical expenses such as doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, mental health counseling, prescriptions, and so on. You may also be able to recover any lost wages along with lost potential income, or career advancement you lost because of your recovery.
You may even be eligible for pain and suffering damages. This is extra money that pays you back for your misery, making life more comfortable as you rebuild.
Nelson, Taylor & Associates, PLLC is here to help you fight for your rights when you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall injury. You can set up a free consultation with us online or reach us by phone at (801) 901-7046.
