Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries for victims and they usually occur because of the property owner’s negligence. Property owners can fail to make their property safe by:
- Not having proper signage in place to warn passersby about wet spots
- Placing objects in the middle of walkways
- Providing unstable work surfaces for workers
Even though slip and fall cases are prevalent, winning them is never easy. This is why it is important to hire a knowledgeable slip and fall attorney near you if you are the victim of a slip and fall accident. Our New Bedford slip and fall attorney at Kevin P Landry Law Offices in New Bedford, MA, has helped several victims get compensation and the justice they deserve.
Our knowledge of slip and fall cases over the years and below are some of the challenges that most slip and fall cases go through.
Why You Might not Win Your Slip and Fall Case in New Bedford, MA
In every slip and fall case you have to prove:
- The accident happened because of someone else’s negligence
- Your injuries were a direct result of the accident
- Your incurred financial losses due to your injuries
Negligence
There is no formula for figuring out if the property owner or someone else was responsible for your accident. Each case is different and the responsible parties may claim that you weren’t watching where you were going.
The good news is that if you can prove the cause of the accident was a dangerous condition and the owner of the property knew about it, then you might have a solid case. You, therefore, have to establish:
- The dangerous condition was created by the owner
- The owner knew about it and failed to correct it
- The dangerous condition was there for a long time and the owner should have corrected it before the accident happened
Injuries
You must show that your injuries were as a result of the accident or that the accident exacerbated your prior injuries.
Losses
Your injuries must have required you to go to the hospital and get treated or the accident must have caused an economic loss to you in order for your case to be solid.
How to Secure the Value of Your Slip and Fall Accident Claim
It’s important to take the below steps immediately after your slip and fall accident so as to build the best possible case.
Seek Medical Treatment
You should always seek medical treatment after a slip and fall accident even if you do not think you are hurt. Most times when we get into an accident, adrenaline kicks in and we may not feel any pain from our injuries so it’s easy to assume you are okay. However, hours or even days later you might notice a swelling that doesn’t go away or intolerable pain. When you seek compensation, an insurance company might decide to lower the value of your claim by saying your injuries were not severe enough since you never went to the hospital.
This is why you should go to the hospital so that a doctor can document your injuries. These records will serve as evidence that indeed you were injured as a result of your slip and fall accident.
Report the Accident
Report the accident to the property owner or manager. Make sure you get a detailed statement from him; preferably a written one.
Document the Scene
Take as many pictures as possible from different angles and also take pictures of your injuries. The photos should show the condition Record contact information of all witnesses who saw what happened. You can also record their statements.
Do Not Issue a Statement
Avoid posting any details related to your accident online or talking to an insurer without consulting a New Bedford slip and fall attorney. Remember that anything you say to the property owner, the insurance company, or anything you post online can affect the outcome of your claim.
Consider a New Bedford Slip and Fall Attorney After Your Accident
A New Bedford slip and fall attorney will help you:
- Organize all the confusing paperwork. Slip and fall cases can be complicated especially when it comes to obtaining the right paperwork.
- File your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Every state has a limited time to file a lawsuit and your New Bedford slip and fall lawyer will ensure that you beat the deadline.
- Negotiate a better settlement while protecting your rights as a slip-and-fall accident victim.
