If you fall and get hurt on someone else’s property, you may have a valid slip and fall claim to make. If you believe that the hazard that made you fall, like a slippery floor or damaged stairway, is something that the property owner should have addressed, you can try to hold them accountable for their negligence. A Prince George’s County slip and fall lawyer can help you make your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Does a Slip and Fall Claim Get Made?
When you slip and fall on someone else’s property and believe that you were only injured due to their negligence, then you file a claim. You would rarely end up suing a person or business directly. Instead, their insurance company would come in and begin negotiating with you.
How Does a Slip and Fall Claim Get Settled?
When an insurer responds to a slip and fall claim, they have a few options. They might try to deny your claim outright. They could also send you an offer, but one that’s far too low considering what you have experienced.
This is why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side. Your lawyer can help you calculate fair compensation and fight for a fair offer. If negotiations do not go well, they can advise you about whether or not you should take your case to trial. Many cases like this get settled, but sometimes it’s worth it to go to a jury and try for a more favorable verdict.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Common in a Slip and Fall?
It’s important to get fair compensation for a claim because these accidents can cause some serious injuries. Common outcomes include:
- Broken bones
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
This is why you shouldn’t just accept the first offer the insurer sends your way. You should be sure that you have reached maximum medical improvement or that you have accounted for any future medical expenses before accepting compensation.
How Are Damages Calculated?
When you get compensation after a slip and fall claim, you shouldn’t just be reimbursed for economic losses. The damages awarded should certainly reimburse you for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and even future medical costs, but this isn’t the only kind of compensation we can help you fight for.
Falling and getting injured can also be a traumatic experience, and recovering from serious injuries and trying to get back to your normal life can be taxing on your mental health. You should also be compensated for these noneconomic damages, like stress, PTSD, anxiety, and any other pain and suffering experienced as a result of your accident.
Schedule a Case Consultation
So when you are ready to make a slip and fall claim of your own, you don’t have to fight for compensation all by yourself. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. to schedule a consultation and learn more about how an experienced personal injury lawyer can be of assistance.
