A Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Can Help
A slip and fall accident occurs when one party is injured when slipping or tripping and falling, usually on another person's property, due to some sort of hazardous condition. This “hazardous condition” could be any number of things, such as a wet or slippery floor, a faulty handrail, or loose carpeting.
Many people may not realize just how serious the injuries caused by a slip and fall accident can be, for anyone, but particularly people over 65. In fact, 75% of slip and fall accident deaths occur in this age group, and 66% of all injury cases in people over 65 are the result of a fall.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may well be entitled to compensation. But simply determining whether you have a case, let alone navigating the legal and insurance systems as you fight for compensation, can be scary and overwhelming. That's why it's in your best interest to work with an experienced slip and fall accident attorney who can guide you through the process and make sure your rights are being protected. You can contact a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys slip and fall accident attorney for a free initial consultation at any time.
Why You Need a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Some types of legal claims are fairly easy to navigate without legal representation. For slip and fall accident claims, however, it's wise to hire a lawyer before moving forward. One reason for this is that establishing fault in a slip and fall accident case can be unclear. Even if it appears clear to the injured party, the defendant will likely fight very hard to avoid being considered negligent.
Additionally, it's very common for the other party's legal team or insurance company to assert that the injuries or damages caused by the accident are minor, even when they're legitimately severe. For these reasons, amongst many others, it's best to hire an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer who can take the lead on your case and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Proving your case
Showing that you fell on someone else's property is not enough to solidify your claim. According to Pennsylvania Law, you must meet specific requirements and establish or prove a few key pieces of information to even be eligible for compensation. This can be a complex process without the assistance of a lawyer.
In Pennsylvania, you and your lawyer must first prove that at the time of your accident, there was a duty of care that was breached. In other words, the landlord, proprietor, homeowner or property owner was responsible for maintaining a standard of care and they failed to do so. Generally, if you are on property legally and not as a trespasser, the owner of that property is responsible for the safety of that environment.
Once this breached duty of care is established, your lawyer will prove one of the following, depending on your specific case:
- That a hazardous condition existed and caused the fall, and that any reasonable person would have noticed and fixed this hazardous condition.
- That the landlord or proprietor did in fact know that a hazardous condition existed, and failed to either fix it or warn the injured party of its existence.
- That the property owner in fact created the hazardous condition themselves (by, for example, leaving an object in a prominent pathway, creating some element of danger).
Finally, your lawyer will prove that the accident resulted in legitimate and calculable financial losses. Your Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys slip and fall accident attorney will work tirelessly to determine the best approach for your specific case.
Accumulating Evidence
When you decide to hire a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorney to handle your case, you can be sure you're getting a dedicated, fearless, and tireless lawyer. Your Munley attorney will examine your case from top to bottom in order to determine how much compensation you're eligible for and how to best prove your claim.
They will look at whether the accident could have been prevented by the property owner, whether the property owner was aware of the condition, and if so, whether they were in the process of fixing it or made any attempt to warn the injured party of the potential hazard. Additional evidence may include witness statements, property reports, and details of the financial impact the accident had on you via medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Contact a Munley slip and fall accident lawyer today to begin the process of fighting for the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Calculating Damages
Once your attorney has determined that you have a valid case, one of the next steps will be to calculate the extent of your damages. Your attorney will thoroughly examine your case in order to determine exactly how much your settlement is worth, ensuring you are awarded the maximum amount of compensation.
First, your slip and fall accident lawyer will calculate your economic losses, such as the cost of your medical bills and lost wages (if your injuries prevented you from working). This may also account for future lost wages if your accident and injuries have lowered your overall capacity.
Once you have established a baseline of economic losses, your lawyer will review the costs of your non-economic losses. These costs can be more difficult to numerate, and it's crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side who can accurately account for each and every one of them.
Non-economic losses generally include things like pain and suffering, and any and all psychological and emotional distress caused by the accident. Your attorney will then adjust this number based on relative factors, such as the number of defendants and the impact of comparative negligence. This final settlement amount will then be presented to the other party's insurance company or legal team.
Negotiating the Terms of Your Settlement
In an ideal world, the other party and their legal team or insurance company will accept your initial settlement offer. However, this is often not how it goes with slip and fall accident cases. The defendant and their team will typically pull out all the stops to avoid blame in the first place, and will also likely try to negotiate for the lowest possible settlement amount.
Most likely, they will counter with a settlement offer of their own. This is where it's very important to have an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer on your side. Your Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorney will fight to ensure that you receive a substantive settlement that accurately and fairly accounts for your injuries and suffering.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we have a stellar record of reaching excellent settlements for our clients. Visit our client victories page to review our work and meet the excellent legal team that could be fighting for you.
Preparing for the Possibility of a Trial
Overall, the vast majority of slip and fall cases settle out of court, rendering a trial unnecessary. Of these, many cases will reach a settlement very early on in the process. However, there are also times where a trial date is set, and both parties reach a settlement agreement just days before the trial is set to begin. In a situation like this, you may need to prepare for a trial even as you continue working towards a settlement agreement.
Preparing for a trial, even one that may not happen, is an arduous and complex process. Especially in slip and fall accident cases where determining fault is often complicated, you'll want a lawyer on your side who can ensure you have a bulletproof case.
Your experienced Munley slip and fall accident lawyer will, of course, take the lead on any and all trial preparations. They will procure evidence, witness statements, and all other documentation necessary to establish a strong, convincing case for you.
What Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Do For You
Experiencing an accident can be stressful and traumatic, and we understand that navigating the settlement process is often overwhelming. But the good news is you don't have to go through it alone. We here at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys stand with all accident victims and are determined to protest your rights and make the process as smooth as possible.
Our primary goal will be to reach a satisfactory settlement for you, and you can rest assured that we will work tirelessly to make this happen. However, in the rare case that your claim does necessitate a trial, we can protect you in the courtroom as well. All of our lawyers have years of experience that includes hands-on trial experience, which many personal injury attorneys cannot offer. We have a fantastic track record when it comes to slip and fall cases, and dozens of glowing reviews from satisfied clients.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to meet one of our incredible personal injury attorneys. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can protect your interests and help you recover compensation.
