Why should you contact a personal injury lawyer for slip and fall cases?
Slip and fall injuries are more severe than you might think. Statistics show that more than three million people receive emergency treatments for these injuries. More than 800,000 people undergo hospitalization after falling or slipping.
Slipping and falling on any surface, especially concrete, results in various injuries. Some of these include slipped discs, herniated discs, temporary or permanent paralysis, concussions, broken bones, and deep cysts.
Suppose you have received an injury from falling because of someone’s negligence. In that case, you should contact a law firm specializing in personal injuries like Pinder Plotkin, who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
There are several reasons to hire a lawyer for such cases. They are incredibly complicated, requiring you to prove the liability or negligence of the other party. The entire process includes gathering evidence, analyzing the medical records, and proving the issue behind the injury.
But those are just some reasons to hire a lawyer for these cases. Read on to find out what the others are and related information you will find helpful.
What is the definition of liability?
As mentioned, your lawyer must prove the other party’s liability to recover damages after the accident. However, what is the definition of liability? The concept of premises liability makes an individual owner responsible for the condition of their property, and they should ensure its maintenance at all times.
A property owner is negligent if they were aware of a potentially risky situation and did not take the necessary steps to remedy it, eventually causing someone to incur injuries. However, the extent of the liability will depend on the specific circumstances of the case, which a lawyer can help you understand.
Principle of contributory negligence
The principle of contributory negligence is an essential factor determining the outcome of slip and fall cases. According to this concept, if you were responsible for the accident, for example, being careless while walking or ignoring a danger sign on the property, you become ineligible to seek damages.
Many property owners use this principle to their advantage by claiming the existence of a danger sign or potential risk sign, which the passer-by ignored, thus leading to injury. Such complex situations should be handled by someone well-versed in them, like your attorney.
How can your lawyer prove negligence?
Your attorney can prove the property owner’s negligence through four factors: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty refers to their responsibility of ensuring everybody’s safety on their property, for example, by putting up a sign informing others of the risks. Breach of duty is when they fail to perform this duty or when they fail to notify others of danger despite being aware of it.
Your lawyer can seek damages even if the owner wasn’t aware of the dangers but could have found them through an inspection.
How do slip and fall cases work?
During your initial consultation with your attorney, you should carry the documentation necessary to prove your claim, including medical records, photos, and other evidence that might strengthen your case.
Sometimes, the effects of the injury may manifest themselves later on. Or the injury might heal due to the treatment. You might be denied compensation or receive a small amount in this situation. Your lawyer will offer you the appropriate legal advice in this situation.
You should also know that once you sign the compensatory deal, the court will not entertain future claims for injuries received from a previous incident. That is why convincingly presenting your arguments is necessary, which your attorney can handle perfectly.
You should contact a law firm like Pinder Plotkin, which specializes in slip and fall injuries. They will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve by proving the property owner’s liability and handling the necessary legal proceedings.