About 30.8 million people go to the hospital each year as a result of unintentional injuries. Among the causes of those unintentional injuries are slip and falls.
Slip and fall accidents can cause extreme bodily injury to those who suffer them. They can put people out of work, disable them or worst, be fatal.
Did you suffer a slip and fall due to negligence? You may be wondering how to go about winning a lawsuit to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
There are a lot of intricacies in regard to a slip and fall lawsuit that we highly recommend you consult an attorney to learn about. We’ll give you a brief overview of key considerations you should be aware of. Below are 5 core things to know that will affect your chances of winning your case.
1) Know What Defines a Slip and Fall Accident
Make sure you’re eligible to file a slip and fall lawsuit. To do this, you’ll want to first make sure that your accident falls within the purview of this type of injury.
Slip and fall accidents take place when a person is injured due to falling down on private, government or commercial property. The cause of the fall can be attributed to a wide variety of factors.
Common negligence factors surrounding slip and falls include slippery and uneven surfaces as well as other preventable environmental variables.
2) Obtain an Accident Report
If you’ve suffered an injury due to a fall, the first thing you’ll want to make sure of is that an accident report is filled out. An accident report will recount all of the factors surrounding an onsite accident. This will, in-turn, act as proof of the event when you file your lawsuit.
You should request that the highest ranking authority on the premises of your slip and fall preside over the creation of your report.
3) Understand Liability
Liability is at the crux of winning accident claims. With slips and falls, your case will need to prove that your fall was a result of negligence that could have been reasonably avoided by the property owner.
Make sure that adequate evidence of negligence is obtained before the scene is cleaned. This means being diligent about taking photos and collecting eye-witness accounts if possible.
4) Obtain Evidence
Beyond eye-witness accounts and photos, there are a number of things that can help your slip and fall lawsuit as far as evidence goes.
Things like your clothing during the accident, surveillance footage and medical records should all be meticulously accounted for. An attorney can help you collect and leverage evidence around your case in a way that will give you the best chance of getting a favorable court result.
5) File Your Case Quickly
The sooner you contact an attorney and get your lawsuit filed, the better chance you’ll have of winning. Furthermore, if you wait too long to file, you may not be eligible to file a lawsuit at all given the “Statute of Limitations.” This does depend on the state that your accident occurred in.
Err on the side of caution and contact an attorney immediately after you experience your slip and fall.
Wrapping Up 5 Things to Know That Will Help You Win Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Slip and falls can come with catastrophic consequences for those who suffer from them. To make sure the guilty party is held liable and you get the compensation you deserve, take the 5 tips above into account.
First make sure your injury falls within the purview of slip and falls. Then obtain an accident report; understand and collect evidence that proves the 3rd party’s liability; and, with the help of a lawyer, file your lawsuit fast.
Doing those things will significantly improve your chances of winning your slip and fall lawsuit!
If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney that’s reputable and has a history of winning, look no further than Kastl Law, P.C.