slip and fall accidents: what to do if you're the victim of a slip and fall accident

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Find out how to recover from a slip and fall accident. Medical and legal advice for accident victims. Get the treatment you need and the money you deserve!

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Page 1: Slip and Fall Accidents: What to do if you're the victim of a slip and fall accident

1 http://www.lawyersgroup.com/personal-injury/resources

Slip and Fall Accidents

What to do if you're the victim of a slip and fall accident

www.lawyersgroup.com

Personal Injury Resource Guide

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Table of Contents

I. Winter Wonderlands Cause Slip and Fall Accidents

II. Slip and Fall Accident: Who’s to Blame

III. Important Things to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

IV. How to Get The Most Money From Your Slip and Fall

Lawsuit? Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer

V. Questions?

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Winter Wonderlands Cause Slip and Fall Accidents

Walking in a winter wonderland can be one of the season‟s most beautiful gifts. But you better watch out! „Tis the

season to be CAREFUL! The weather outside is frightful. Wintery weather conditions drastically increase the

occurrence of slip and fall accidents. A slip and fall lawyer knows that many of the 500,000 slip and fall accidents

requiring medical attention in the U.S each year occur during the winter months. You would probably rather spend

the holidays in front of a warm fire than in a hospital bed or in the office of a slip and fall lawyer. So be on the

lookout for the following hazards so you can stay safe and sound this winter.

Slip and Fall Accidents Outdoors

Sidewalks and walkways can turn into skating rinks when the temperature drops below freezing. Be careful on icy

surfaces. Make sure your own sidewalk and stairs are cleared. Scatter salt to melt ice and spread sand for traction.

Not only will this keep your family safe, but it will protect your visitors as well. If you suffer a serious slip and fall

injury on the property of someone who has not taken these precautions, you should contact a slip and fall attorney.

A slip and fall lawyer can hold negligent property owners responsible for their inaction.

Slip and Fall Accidents Indoors

Ice and snow not only make things slippery outside. When tracked indoors, the puddles they create can cause slip

and fall accidents faster than you can say Jack Frost. Proper use of mats outside and inside your entryways will help

minimize tracking. Be diligent about cleaning up residual snow, ice and water to avoid slippery surfaces.

Slip and Fall Accidents at Businesses

It is not just good business for stores to keep holiday shoppers safe; it is the law. Businesses also must provide a

safe work environment for their employees so they do not have slip and fall accidents.

It is crucial for businesses to provide indoor and outdoor mats to help prevent ice and snow from being tracked

inside. These mats must also be routinely cleaned in order to work properly. Mats must lay flat; otherwise, they can

pose trip hazards. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to slip and fall accidents. A slip and fall lawyer should be

consulted if you are hurt due to an employer‟s negligence.

Companies are also responsible for the property outside their stores. Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice; slip

and trip hazards should be removed. If you have been injured in a fall because a business failed to keep up with Old

Man Winter, a slip and fall attorney will not only get you the money you deserve, but can force the company to

change their habits to keep the public safer.

The best way to avoid a slip and fall is to be careful. As long as you take the proper care...let it snow!

Slip and Fall Accident: Who’s to Blame

You‟ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident. You are certain a person or company caused you to be injured. Not

surprisingly, the other party is denying responsibility to avoid paying your medical expenses, lost salary, and pain and

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suffering. They say the accident could have been avoided if you had been more careful. Are they liable for your

mishap, or are you to blame? The answer may surprise you.

Slip and Fall Accident: Who's Fault Is It?

A slip and fall lawyer can tell you that, in the eyes of the law, you are likely BOTH responsible for the accident. The

courts assume that, even when a person or company was obviously negligent, it is possible that you could have

steered clear of the slip and fall accident if you had acted with the utmost care and caution.

However, you still may have an extremely strong case. Your slip and fall attorney may be able to get you substantial

compensation. The important question is not who is to blame, but rather what percentage of the blame the court

assigns to each party.

A Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help

A slip and fall lawyer will argue that the overwhelming majority of the blame lies on the negligent person or business

that caused your accident. A slip and fall attorney will present evidence to support your claim that, while it is possible

you could have avoided the trip or slip, the other party‟s negligence is the main cause for your injury.

Your slip and fall lawyer will argue to attribute the smallest percentage of fault to you as possible. After the award or

settlement is determined, the amount you receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault you share. For example,

if you were found to be 10% liable, your final award will be reduced by 10%.

Slip and Fall Lawyers Are Experts

Slip and fall lawyers are experienced in slip and fall accident cases, and thus know how to get you top dollar for your

lawsuit. You should not try to settle these cases alone. Not only is it likely that you will be held partly at fault, but

judges and juries are often skeptical of these cases due to the fact that a few unscrupulous people seek undeserved

money by faking slip and fall injuries. The complexity these cases require slip and fall attorneys to give you the

highest probability of winning your suit.

You may only share a small percentage of blame for your accident. But if you try to represent yourself in a slip and

fall case and end up with nothing, you will have no one but yourself to blame. Do the smart thing and consult a slip

and fall lawyer.

Important Things to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you've been involved in a slip and fall accident...

If there were witnesses to your accident, write down their contact information and try to get a statement

from them as soon as possible. Witnesses' memories of the incident can diminish over time; obtaining a

statement early will strengthen your case.

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Take photos of the accident scene and the hazard(s) that caused your fall. If you are too injured to do so,

ask someone to take pictures for you. While people do not always carry a camera with us, remember that

most modern cellphones are equipped with cameras.

Keep a complete and accurate written record of all medical bills related to the fall to submit with your claim.

If your accident was captured by a video surveillance camera, obtain a copy of the tape for your slip and fall

lawyer.

Beware the statute of limitations. There are strict state laws that impose deadlines victims must meet to

make a claim.

Contact a personal injury lawyer. Slip and fall cases can be difficult to prove, and can be met with

skepticism due to fraudulent claims. A personal injury attorney can evaluate your accident and present your

case in the strongest possible light, giving you the best chance to get the money you deserve.

How to Get The Most Money From Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit? Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Property owners have a legal and moral obligation to keep their premises as safe and hazard-free as possible. If a

homeowner or business owner is negligent in this duty and you are seriously injured in a slip and fall injury, a slip

and fall lawyer may be able to help you recover significant compensation for:

Medical bills

Rehabilitative services

Prescription drugs

Wages you lose while out of work for recovery

Pain and suffering

Mental anguish

Some slips and falls are minor. However, a slip and fall lawyer knows that many thousands of people suffer

extremely serious injuries every year due to falls. A slip and fall injury victim may suffer:

Head trauma, also known as traumatic brain injury

Spinal cord injury, which could result in temporary or permanent paralysis

Internal injuries and internal bleeding

Fractures of the hips, knees, elbows, wrists, or other bones

Severe ligament or tendon damage

Permanent scarring

In extreme cases, injuries can be fatal

If you or someone you love has suffered one of these or another severe injury in a slip and fall accident that was due

to someone else‟s negligence, you need the maximum settlement or award possible for your recovery. But how do

you go about getting it? Following the advice below will give you get best chance at maximizing the compensation

you receive for your slip and fall lawsuit.

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Hire a Pro: You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer

A slip and fall lawsuit is a difficult case to win. Because criminals have committed insurance fraud by faking slip and

fall cases, judges and juries look at these cases with a critical eye. An slip and fall lawyer can fight to overcome this

bias and prove that your case was the fault of negligent behavior of the guilty parties.

The courts almost always assign some blame to the victim for not exercising more caution. Your final settlement or

award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. A slip and fall attorney will strive to ensure that the

vast majority of blame is placed on those who caused your slip and fall accident.

Gather Evidence to your Slip and Fall Attorney

In order to build you a strong case which will get you a high payout, a slip and fall attorney needs strong evidence of

wrongdoing by the property owner. The best evidence is gathered at the scene of the accident immediately following

the mishap. Interview witnesses and get their contact information. Take photos with your camera or cellphone of the

hazard that caused you to fall. Provide your slip and fall lawyer with copies of medical bills, doctor information, and

photographs of your injuries. The more compelling the evidence, the better chance you stand of recovering a large

award or settlement.

Be Ready to “Go the Distance” in Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit

The property owner and insurance company do not want to pay you damages. The insurance adjuster will likely try

every trick up his sleeve to get you to settle your case for less than you deserve, or to abandon the case entirely. If

you want maximum compensation, you must be willing to be willing to “go the distance,” even if that means your

case takes months or years and must go to a jury trial. You want a slip and fall lawyer who is not out for a quick, low

settlement. You need an attorney who will go to court if necessary to get you justice.

I was hurt in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property. Do I need a

slip and fall lawyer?

Slip and fall cases can be very tricky to prove. Therefore, many businesses and insurance companies attempt to

minimize or deny claims. If you want to give yourself the best chance at recovering maximum compensation for your

slip and fall injury, it is strongly recommended that you consult a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible.

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Why should I contact a slip and fall lawyer right away?

Evidence can disappear quickly after a slip and fall accident. The causes of the mishap, whether they are spills, icy

steps or walkways, or trip hazards, are often removed soon after the incident. Witnesses‟ memories can fade over

time. Having a slip and fall attorneyon your side early will give you the best possible chance of recovering money for

your injury.

Why can slip and fall cases be difficult to win?

A few unscrupulous people who commit fraud by faking slip and fall accidents have tarnished the image of such

lawsuits for real victims. Judges and juries are skeptical of such cases because of these “bad apples.” However, if you

have a legitimate claim, you should not hesitate to seek compensation. You just need a good slip and fall

lawyer fighting for you.

What damages can I sue for if I hire a slip and fall attorney?

Your current and future medical bills related to the accident should be covered. In addition, if you were forced to

miss work because of your injury, you should be compensated for lost wages. You could also be awarded money for

the pain and suffering you were forced to endure due to the negligence of the responsible party.

Money is tight. What if I can’t afford a slip and fall lawyer?

Good news: the vast majority of slip and fall attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. Instead of charging you

hourly rates, retainers, and upfront costs, they agree to accept a fair percentage of the award you receive when your

case is concluded. In many instances, slip and fall lawyers will not charge you anything if they are not successful in

getting you money.

What can I do to help my slip and fall attorney win my case?

Start by providing evidence to support your claim. If you collected contact information of witnesses or took

photographs at the accident scene, give them to your slip and fall lawyer. Be honest and thorough about your

description of the incident. Listen carefully to your attorney and follow his or her legal advice. Obey doctor‟s orders

and make sure your lawyer receives copies of all medical bills. Finally, a successful outcome requires patience.

What if I share some of the blame for the slip and fall accident

A portion of the blame is usually attributed to the plaintiff for not avoiding the hazard. However, just because you

share the fault does not mean you cannot be awarded substantial compensation in a slip and fall lawsuit. You could

settle out of court, or in the case of a jury award, the final sum is reduced by the percentage of blame attributed to

you.

Where can I find a slip and fall lawyer in my area?

The quickest and easiest way is to contact Lawyers Group. We work with over 200 qualified slip and fall lawyers

nationwide and can directly connect you with one near you for a free initial consultation. Our service is free to slip

and fall victims, and there is no obligation. Just fill out the form on this page or call 1-800-948-1080 to speak with

a slip and fall lawyer today.

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Can I Afford to Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, you may not be able to afford NOT to hire a lawyer. Studies

show that accident victims who hire attorneys to handle their accident cases receive substantially higher settlements

than those who do not, even after paying attorney fees. Insurance companies and businesses have attorneys on

their side. You should have a lawyer working for you to ensure you are treated fairly and compensated fully.

Most slip and fall lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of the award only after they win

you money. In these instances, there is no risk for you; there are little or no upfront out-of-pocket expenses. Some

law firms promise that if they do not collect money for you, you owe them nothing.

About Lawyers Group

The Lawyers Group is the nation's leading service of its kind. For over 20 years, we have helped connect

injury victims with experienced injury lawyers in their area. There is no cost or obligation for the service

we provide.

If you are injured anywhere in the United States and need legal advice, we can help. We have an

established network of experienced injury lawyers that handle every type of injury case including car

accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries,wrongful death cases, animal bites and

many other injury cases. If you have questions about your case or you need immediate help from a

seasoned lawyer, we can connect you with an experienced personal injury lawyer in your local area

today.