Slip and fall cases are some of the most common injury cases in the US. They can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone, and it’s commonly the fault of the property owner where the incident occurred.
However, while these cases are extremely common, many victims of negligence still try to represent themselves in their court cases, and it costs them big time.
Today, we’re going to go over several situations where you absolutely must hire a qualified slip and fall attorney to ensure you receive fair compensation.
1. The Company Isn’t Being Fair with Settlement Offers
A company is in it for the money. No matter what the representatives tell you or how valuable the offer they make is, they’ll do everything to ensure they pay you as little as possible and remove all liability from the record.
Now, we do not recommend this approach at all, but you can try to reach a settlement on your own and hear the defense out. If you do, and you notice that the amount offered doesn’t even pay your medical bills, let alone other losses, or they just flat-out deny compensation, that’s a clear sign to hire a slip and fall lawyer. At that point, legal representation is a must, and you should not agree to anything on your own.
We don’t even recommend getting to this stage without a lawyer, but it happens, and at a certain point, it’s time to correct your course.
2. The Insurance Company is Giving You Problems
Companies are infamous for trying to avoid compensating victims for their negligence, but insurance companies wrote the book on it. There are several well-known tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying you, and unfortunately, they work on a lot of people. Whether it’s stalling until deadlines are up, using minor documentation issues as reasons to deny claims, or simply refusing to take you off hold, these tactics are intentional.
Without legal expertise, it’s easy to fall victim to unfair insurance practices, which is why having the best slip and fall attorney on your side can prevent insurers from taking advantage of you.
This leads to you getting compensated faster, smoothly overcoming their underhanded tactics, and generally, getting optimal results that would otherwise be impossible.
3. The Incident Happened on Government Property
Taking a company with exorbitant resources to court over your slip and fall case is complex due to the power of their legal teams. Now, consider how much more difficult it would be if the company also made and oversaw the law.
When an accident happens on government property, you 100% need a lawyer to ensure you’re going to be compensated fairly. The government is still responsible in the same ways that a company or private property owner would be, but it is a lot more powerful when it comes to its legal abilities.
An experienced lawyer who has dealt with slip and fall accidents on government property can navigate the court process and help you get optimal results for your case.
4. You Have Suffered Serious Injuries with Medical Bills
A bump or a bruise is one thing, but if you’ve broken bones, bled internally, suffered a concussion, or anything else that has required you to deal with extensive medical help, you can’t hope to win a slip and fall injury case on your own.
These cases tend to be extremely valuable, and the opposing team will try to avoid paying you with a multitude of tactics. If they know they can’t get out of it, they will try to offer you a lowball settlement that sounds great to the average person but actually doesn’t help you much at all.
A lawyer will not only handle the courtroom and ensure you’re paid properly, but they’ll also help push your claims through insurance to keep you financially healthy throughout the case, direct you to the medical care you need, and determine the true value of your case for losses beyond medical bills.
Also read: The Role of Witnesses in Strengthening Personal Injury Cases
5. You’ve Lost Wages Due to the Incident
Medical bills are what most people think of when they consider the cost of a slip and fall accident, but you can be compensated for wages you lost due to it. Whether you couldn’t physically work due to the accident or you had to keep taking off for medical appointments, you are entitled to compensation for those lost wages.
The problem is that it can be difficult to argue lost wages on your own. Always assume that the defense has a strong legal team, and they’re going to do their best to cut out any types of compensation they can to minimize their losses.
An experienced slip and fall lawyer can gather the necessary evidence to prove the injury caused the wage loss, properly present those lost wages to the court, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
6. Your Life Has Been Permanently Changed
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents don’t always result in healed injuries and life going back to normal. Even if you get everything you’re entitled to. Sometimes, permanent injuries and disabilities are sustained, and your entire life has to change.
You might need to pay for accessibility equipment, you might not be able to work again, and of course, you have to cope with the dramatic lifestyle change that you were wrongfully forced to go through.
A good slip and fall lawyer will take care to identify every loss you’ve suffered and the financial value of the permanent injuries before fighting for you to get the full amount you’re owed for such a catastrophic situation.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with DeSalvo Law
So these are six situations where we believe a lawyer is crucial for your slip and fall case. The legal process can be confusing, and you can bet your boots insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize your claim.
But you don’t have to face them alone!
At the Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, we understand how stressful it can be to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of what comes next. That’s why we’re here to fight for you every step of the way.
Whether your accident happened at a workplace, construction site, or driving in Uber or Lyft, we have the experience and dedication to help you get the right compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s take the first step toward getting you the justice you deserve!
