What to Do After a Slip & Fall Accident
Premise Liability Attorney Michael J. Brennan
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, there are generally several steps you should take, such as:
Seek Medical Attention if Necessary
As with any accident, you should seek immediate medical attention if you appear to be injured in any way. Many injuries may worsen without medical treatment, and it may take attention to diagnose some injuries that may not be readily apparent. Further, this may provide documentation of your injuries that will help your lawyer prove the extent of your injuries caused by the fall.
Report the Accident to the Property Owner
You should always report a slip and fall to the property owner as soon as possible, or a manager or other high-ranking person with authority if the owner is not available. Insurance companies may often attempt to question your slip and fall claim’s legitimacy and failing to report your fall immediately may often be used against you in this effort. Ensure documentation of this report if possible but be careful to avoid providing any information that may be used against you.
Document the Accident
You should always try to document the accident as much as possible to help provide your lawyer with helpful evidence to prove your claim. You should gather contact information for any witnesses to your fall, as witnesses may often be crucial in proving that your fall happened as well as that it was caused by the negligence of the property owner or employees.
Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
After your fall, you should contact a skilled slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can discuss your legal options with you and help you decide whether you may need to file a slip and fall lawsuit against the property owner or anyone else responsible for your fall. Your lawyer may often initiate an investigation of the accident to gather relevant evidence such as whether anyone had reported the dangerous conditions which led to your fall, whether employees or the property owner were aware of the condition, or similar factors that may help support your claim.
Let Your Attorney Speak to Insurance Companies For You
It is generally better to allow your attorney to speak on your behalf with others concerning your case, especially insurance companies. Often, an insurer may attempt to contact you soon after the accident, usually while sounding very caring and thoughtful and promising to help. However, these attempts are sometimes used to gather any statements from you that could be taken out of context or misconstrued to damage your claim. Insurers have teams of lawyers to avoid paying compensation to victims, but your attorney can help level this playing field.
How Long After a Slip & Fall Can You Sue?
After your slip and fall, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Your slip and fall lawyer may help you decide when to file any lawsuit potentially. In some cases, you may need to wait to file your lawsuit until you have fully recovered from any injuries you suffered in the fall. Your lawyer may suggest waiting until you have reached your point of maximum medical improvement (MMI) before filing a lawsuit to make sure that you know the full extent of the damages for which you will need to pursue compensation. However, your attorney will also make sure that you file any lawsuit before the statute of limitations on slip and fall cases expires.
How Long Will a Slip and Fall Case Usually Take?
Like most personal injury cases, the length of time it may take to settle your slip and fall case may vary depending on several factors. The case may take only a few months or sometimes last two or more years. In cases where your injuries are relatively minor, and liability is more precise, the other party’s insurance company may be more willing to settle the case quickly. However, the insurer may be more likely to refuse a satisfactory settlement amount when the liability is more complicated. Other factors that may impact the length of your case include:
How long it takes to recover from your injuries fully
- Settlement negotiations with the other party
- Pretrial motions and legal delays
- Trial
- Collecting your judgment after any appeals
Contact Michael J. Brennan for Help with your Slip and Fall Case
While the length of your case may vary from a few months to over a year or longer, most cases will often require the help of an experienced slip and fall lawyer who can help your case from beginning to end while you recover from your injuries. Thus, you should contact a skilled attorney as soon as possible after your accident to help you begin the process of pursuing compensation. Michael J. Brennan has years of experience as a medical malpractice attorney, and help you take advantage of his experience.