Though it might sound like a minor concern, a slip and fall accident can be serious business. With thousands of such accidents happening every day across the United States, it’s important to know what to do if it ever happens to you.
Andy Citrin and his team have won millions for people who have suffered injuries on a dangerous premises. Here’s what you need to know about how to calculate a slip and fall settlement to get the financial reparations that you deserve.
What Defines a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall can be exactly what it sounds like, but the term broadly covers any kind of slip, trip, or fall to the ground caused by unsafe conditions which results in a personal injury. Injuries range from bumps and bruises to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and everything in between.
In a slip and fall case, it’s important to determine who is responsible for the accident. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you must be able to prove that your injuries resulted from the property owner’s poor management, lack up of upkeep, or other mistakes. For this reason, hiring a law team experienced in slips, trips, and falls can help you prove that you were not at fault for your accident.
Though a slip and fall can happen in any type of store, grocery stores are often particularly likely to have conditions that lead to an accident, such as wet floors, obstacles in the aisles, and icy areas. Other common causes of slips and falls include:
- Poor lighting
- Unmarked stairs
- Unkept or unsecured carpets
- Uneven flooring
In the best-case scenario, a slip and fall at a grocery store simply results in a scare. But in the worst-case scenario, it can lead to long-term injuries, major life disruptions, or even death.
In the case of June P., a slip and fall at a Waffle House led to years of severe back pain and caused her to lose her job. Fortunately, she turned to the team at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys for help. After an in-depth investigation, we were able to prove that Waffle House’s negligence caused June’s accident and secured a large settlement in her favor.
RELATED: How is Liability Determined in Slip and Fall Cases in Alabama?
How Is the Value of a Slip and Fall Accident Determined?
Determining a slip and fall settlement amount is complicated. Important factors to consider include:
- Existing and expected future medical bills
- Long-term medical treatment
- Lost wages and ability to earn future wages
- Pain and suffering
Some of these are objective costs, such as existing medical bills or lost wages from being unable to work due to the accident. With simple documentation, you can prove these damages.
Other factors, like future medical expenses, are more difficult to calculate. Experienced legal teams, with the help of forensic economists, will be able to predict what medical costs you may experience in the future as a result of your slip and fall injury, and what your future lost wages may be if you are unable to return to work for a long time.
Calculating Pain and Suffering from a Slip and Fall Injury
Pain and suffering is a subjective cost. There’s no precise way to put a dollar amount on life-altering circumstances. For this reason, don’t rely on a settlement calculator to understand the true value of your case. Pain and suffering compensation depends on human understanding and reasoning.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure you receive a fair settlement by calculating your pain and suffering on a multiplier scale. Depending on how severely your quality of life has been impacted, the monetary value of your case could be multiplied up to five times, depending on your unique circumstances.
Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve
If the property owner is responsible for the accident and covered by insurance, their insurance company will be financially responsible for your damages. If the owner was not covered by insurance, they are responsible.
You will likely be pressured into settling for less than you deserve. Insurance adjusters are ultimately trying to save their company as much money as they can and are not working for your best interests. For this reason, never accept the first settlement offer you are given, as it is very likely not the best offer the company can make. Beware of insurance adjusters trying to get you to admit fault for the incident to clear them from taking responsibility for their actions.
Having a strong legal team by your side to fight for you can make all the difference in winning your case and getting you the settlement you deserve.
RELATED: 4 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know About Slip and Fall Injuries
Hurt in a Store? Don’t Wait to Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys
In nearly three decades of legal practice, we’ve seen it all when it comes to slips and falls, and we know how to maximize your settlement. With Andy Citrin and his team of attorneys fighting for you, you can focus on healing instead of stressing about the complicated legal aspects of your case.
Get started on the road to the compensation you deserve today. Call us at251-888-8888or complete our online form for your free legal consultation with our team.
References
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/how-are-slip-and-fall-settlements-87263/
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.