Sustaining an injury in a slip-and-fall case can be a difficult thing for anyone to go through, especially if their injuries are serious. However, if a victim is considering bringing a lawsuit against the establishment to recover their damages, it’s vital that they contact an attorney before doing so. Without one, they may be setting themselves up for failure. Read on to find out why.
- Knowing who is liable. Many people who experience a slip and fall in a commercial establishment assume that they should sue the owner. However, that may not always be the case. If the store owner leases their space and the hazard was caused by a landlord, that landlord may be held liable for damages. An attorney will help victims get to the bottom of the “blame game” and figure out who should take responsibility for their injury.
- Understanding comparative negligence. In any slip-and-fall investigation, it is important to determine whether or not the plaintiff’s actions contributed in any way to their injuries. If the plaintiff was indeed negligent, it could impact the amount of money that they are able to recover. A slip-and-fall attorney has the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate a plaintiff’s case and help them understand how their own negligence may impact their claim.
- Proving a case. To win a personal injury case, a victim must be able to show that someone had a duty to keep them safe and that they blatantly disregarded that duty. They must also prove that their negligence directly caused the injury. A skilled attorney knows how to prove these things or hire qualified witnesses who can, even after the evidence has been cleaned up or cleared away.
- Negotiating a fair settlement. Insurance companies are often looking to save money, even if it means doing so at the expense of the victim. A good slip-and-fall attorney will be able to keep a victim from being bullied into taking a lower settlement than their case is worth, negotiating on their behalf to get them the amount of money to which they are entitled.
