Law

What Is the Average Settlement for a Slip and Fall?

The fact that any of us are up for a personal injury at any moment is an unfortunate reality. Slips and falls are among the most common of these, and they can result in slipped discs, broken bones, or any number of other injuries. Many accidental injuries will be due to honest mistakes, but this isn’t always true. If you suffer a fall or any other injury, due to the negligence or direct fault of another party, you’ll understandably want compensation.

This will typically require a legal case with the help of someone like a Riverside personal injury lawyer. Many people who are entering a personal injury case will wonder what the “average payout” is for a successful case. Unfortunately, things aren’t quite that simple. Personal injury cases are typically complex, and each one will have its own set of unique circumstances. Payouts can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $75,000. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to increase your odds of a successful case. 

Immediate medical attention

Seeking medical treatment immediately after the injury is one of the most important steps to take. Obviously, one reason for this is to ensure the injury doesn’t become more complicated and to get the treatment you need. It’s also of vital importance to your legal case. Immediate treatment will help prove that all injuries sustained were due to the accident rather than other causes. Waiting to get treatment could give the defendant the opportunity to claim the injuries came from elsewhere, and this can diminish your claim.

Immediate treatment will also ensure that your medical records are in proper order. Gaps in medical records are among the worst things to have in a personal injury case. You need to be aware that the defendant will do anything in their power to point out any inconsistencies in your claims in order to discredit the case. Because of this, you’ll need to take your treatment seriously and keep up with all follow up appointments and notify your doctor of any changes in your condition immediately. 

Preparations

There are other recommendable steps to take before seeing an attorney. Luckily, most personal injury cases are taken on contingency fees, so there is virtually no risk to you. You will, however, want to bring any relevant evidence you think may be helpful for the case. This will help you establish yourself as a serious and cooperative client, and should make an attorney more willing to accept your case.

As for things you should bring to your initial meeting, any video or photographic evidence of the accident and/or the scene will be a great help. Contact information for any witnesses and your doctor are also advisable. Your medical records and accident/police reports along with any other paperwork will also be helpful. 

Further steps

Once an attorney has accepted your case, it’s likely that you will have several more meetings together. You are the ultimate authority on your own situation, after all. With this in mind, your role as a client will be to help ensure things run smoothly.

Always keep your attorney updated on any changes in your medical condition, as this information could be of great importance to your case. You’ll also want to keep a record of any financial losses suffered due to the injury. This doesn’t just include medical expenses; keep track of any money you would have made had the injury not stopped you from working. This will be factored into your settlement if the case is successful. You’ll also want to inform your attorney of any further development, such as someone contacting you for information about the case. Any questions should always be directed to your attorney, as these may be an attempt to discredit your claim.

While no case is a guaranteed success, following these guidelines will be your best chance for a desirable outcome.

What is your reaction?

Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0

You may also like

Comments are closed.

More in:Law