Five Mistakes To Avoid When Pursuing A Settlement
More than one million people sustain injuries in a slip-and-fall accident every year in the U.S., and about 17,000 people die from those injuries. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are preventable, occurring only as the result of someone else’s negligence. In fact, slip-and-fall accidents are a leading cause of preventable injury-related deaths in the U.S.1
If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and if someone else may be responsible, you may have a valuable personal injury claim on your hands.
To ensure your claim has the best chances of success—and therefore the ability to leave you or your loved one with the compensation that’s deserved—be sure to avoid these common mistakes:
- Failing To Report The Fall To The Owner Of The Premises – Whether the fall occurs in a grocery store, an apartment complex, on a friend’s private property, or anywhere else, notify the owner of the premises. If the owner cannot be located, be sure to report the fall to a supervisor or employee as soon as possible.
- Losing Or Overlooking The Importance Of Evidence – Many people think that if they fell in the presence of other people, they don’t necessarily need to collect evidence of what occurred; they assume that the witnesses will speak up on their behalf, if necessary. While there may indeed be witnesses to the event who are willing to provide a statement, the value of more objective evidence should not be underestimated.For example, if the fall occurred due to a spill on a grocery store floor, snap a photo of the spill and surrounding area. It’s also important to obtain a copy of the medical records pertaining to the injury, as well as any other forms of communication that provide insight into how the fall happened and who may be liable.
- Waiting To See A Doctor – Even if you don’t initially feel injured, it’s important to be seen by a doctor who can document the reason for the visit (i.e., the slip-and-fall incident), and rule out injuries that may go unnoticed in the immediate aftermath of the event. This evidence will be essential when it comes time to file and prove the personal injury claim. Delays in treatment will only equip the defense attorney with an argument for why you weren’t actually injured as a result of the fall, and therefore aren’t entitled to a settlement.
- Signing A Settlement Offer Soon After The Injury – Whether the offer is from your own insurance company or the liable party, do NOT accept it without first speaking with an experienced slip-and-fall accident attorney. In almost every single case, the initial offer will be far below what is actually owed.
- Assuming You Can Handle The Claim Without An Attorney – This article explores just five of the ways a slip-and-fall claim can be weakened or altogether ruined, and it’s by no means an exhaustive list. The legal minutiae of the personal injury claims process is rarely understood or even acknowledged by an individual without legal expertise in this area of the law. Hiring a seasoned slip-and-fall injury attorney in Hallandale Beach, Florida is perhaps the wisest move you can make on the path to obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., Slip-And-Fall Injury Attorneys In Hallandale Beach, FL
At Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., you’ll find highly knowledgeable and experienced slip-and-fall accident attorneys who are eager to meet you, evaluate your situation, and protect your right to a fair settlement.
Don’t sit around with questions about your slip-and-fall injury claim: Call us for answers at 800-TELL-ROBERT.
