There are often times in our lives where we are forced to confront unfortunate events, such as accidents. If you, or someone you know, has been in a situation where they have slipped and fallen on someone else’s property and incurred some serious physical damage, chances are, you didn’t really know if there was anything you could do about it in terms of compensation, so you let it go and took care of the situation yourselves.
The truth is, that there is a lot you can do. And this is where we come in to provide you with the necessary steps needed in order to file your slip and fall claim, and more importantly, how to maximize your compensation.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF SLIP AND FALL CLAIMS
Before we go into how you can maximize your claims, it’s important for you to be clear about what it is that falls under the slip and fall claims category. After identifying that you are eligible for this kind of claim, it’s advisable to consult with a credible firm of lawyers to find out whether you have a potential claim that has a chance for compensation. These lawyers will be able to guide you on the right path and by doing so, you won’t be wasting time unnecessarily. So when are you eligible to file for such claim? In a nutshell, if you fall on someone else’s property, be it commercial or residential. There are even cases where you can contest the government if your fall is in a public place. The incidents include:
- Slippery surfaces – Ice, liquid, ceramic, etc.
- Uneven surfaces – Concrete, holes, cracks
- Broken Items – Ceramic, railings, steps
- Falling debris – Due to lose items or construction
- Faulty/uneven carpeting
- Insufficient bordering/signs around hazardous areas
Now that you have the basic understanding of the qualifications, let’s move on to what you can do to ensure that you get the most out of your case. The best way to remember these important factors is to play them out in your head as the event occurs.
EVIDENCE
It is crucial that you keep as much evidence as you possibly can so that you can present a strong case. Your word simply isn’t enough. If there are people around, try to get their contact details so that they can testify for you. If possible, take as many pictures as possible, and make sure they have time stamps that clarify the time and date of the incident.
HIRE A LAWYER
Contact a firm that has lawyers that specialize in slip and fall cases so that you can consult them and notify them of the incident. This way, you have the right kind of council and guidance as you move forward with filing your slip and fall case throughout the whole event.
MEDICAL RECORDS
From the time you enter the emergency room up until you do any kind of check up regarding your injury from this incident, it is imperative for you to keep all kinds of records that can hold up as proof in court. This includes the prescriptions, the bills of both the consultations and medications, and any kind of therapy such as medical or psychological.
COVER ALL POSSIBLE CLAIMS FROM THE INCIDENT
You need to cover all possible claims that are applicable from the slip and fall incident. Whether it is physical damage to yourself or another, or even if it’s an object that incurred damage due to the fall. If applicable, you may even bring forward any psychological damage that was brought on from the incident. This all goes back to bringing together your medical reports with a lawyer that specializes in this area so that you can file the claim without missing anything out. By doing so, you’ll be able to maximize your compensation.
CONSIDER FUTURE DAMAGES FROM THE INCIDENT
It is important that you look ahead before filing your slip and fall claim. You need to discuss with your lawyer and doctors how this incident can affect you in the future. Both on a medical level, psychological and a material level, should any of your belongings have been affected by the incident.
FILE THE CASE IMMEDIATELY
Even though you need to be thorough in gathering your information and evidence, you must also keep in mind that the sooner you file the case, the more effective it can be in terms of getting yourself a fair trial and getting the compensation you deserve. This is why, to the best of your ability, you need to be able to gather the necessary information as well as contact the lawyer as soon as the incident happens.
SEE IF THE OFFER IS FAIR
The person or company that you are making the claim against is sure to want to settle the issue before it has to reach the courts, if at all possible. This is something that you shouldn’t write off immediately. You need to sit and calculate the needs of the big picture. If what they offer covers all your needs, then there really is no need to take the matter to court, and it may not be such a bad idea to settle the claim out of court. Think about your expense, the damages done, and what you might need to do for yourself moving forward in regards to this incident, and accordingly you can make the decision. It might actually suit you well to end it right there and then. However, don’t do this without making sure that it genuinely covers your compensation to the max.
Slip and Fall claims can be quite tricky to take care of, because there’s so much that goes into it for you to be sure to get the upper hand in these kinds of cases. This is why it is absolutely crucial for you to follow the steps given above in case you or someone you know is in a situation where they have to file a slip and fall claim- it’s best that you get the most you can out of it as soon as possible so that it is credible and also so that you’re covered for all the damage.
