If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident in Virginia, you are not alone.
In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall accidents account for more than 1 million hospital emergency room visits every year.
The aftermath of a slip and fall accident can lead to high medical costs and missing time at work, not to mention any complications caused by your injury.
These expenses can add up quickly, leaving many parties wondering how to pay their mounting bills.
A slip and fall settlement can provide the assistance you need to cover these financial obligations.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you calculate your damages, so you do not accept a slip and fall settlement offer that is less than what you need and deserve.
Contact a slip and fall lawyer at River Run Law today to discuss your options.
Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Slip and fall accidents can happen in many different locations and for a variety of reasons.
Common places where slip and fall accidents occur include shopping malls, grocery stores, and movie theaters.
If a private property owner fails to use reasonable care to keep their premises safe for invited visitors, they can face liability if a dangerous condition causes injury.
A dangerous condition could include:
- Uneven flooring;
- Defective stairs;
- Wet flooring;
- Oily surfaces;
- Loose carpeting;
- Uncovered cables or wires;
- Potholes; or
- Debris.
To prevail in a slip and fall claim, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that existed on their property.
You must then show that the owner either did nothing to remedy the condition or failed to adequately warn anyone about the presence of the dangerous condition.
Additionally, Virginia is one of the few states that still follow the doctrine of pure contributory negligence, which bars recovery entirely if you contributed to even 1% of the accident.
For example, suppose you were in a grocery store and slipped and fell on a puddle that was unexpectedly in the middle of the floor.
Further, suppose that the jury finds the store liable because no one cleaned up the puddle for an extended period of time or put up a “wet floor” sign to warn customers of the danger.
However, if the evidence shows that you were texting when you fell, the jury might find that you were 10% responsible for your own injuries.
In Virginia, the fact that you contributed to your own injuries would mean that you could not recover any reimbursement from the store.
Common Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents
Every slip and fall accident results in different injuries.
Even in accidents with similar injuries, the severity of the injuries and the amount of damages incurred by the injured parties might vary significantly.
Some injuries commonly suffered in slip and fall accidents include:
- Broken bones;
- Contusions;
- Sprains;
- Dislocations;
- Infections;
- Lacerations;
- Paralysis;
- Internal injuries; or
- Spinal cord injuries.
Luckily, a slip and fall settlement can compensate you for your damages no matter what type of injury you suffer.
Contact a personal injury attorney at River Run Law if you have questions about your case.
What Is a Fair Settlement Offer in a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall settlement should compensate you for any damages you suffered as a result of your fall, including:
- Medical bills, including expenses incurred traveling to and from visits;
- Rehabilitation costs;
- Lost wages for missed work;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement; and
- Inconvenience.
Typically, the higher your losses are, the larger your settlement offer should be. Thus, damage calculations vary widely from case to case.
Many online services advertise something called a slip and fall settlement calculator.
However, there is no guaranteed method for ascertaining what an insurance company might offer you because there are simply too many variables.
These variables must be analyzed by a professional to get a realistic estimate of what your case might be worth.
Not to mention, many insurance companies will make quick settlement offers far below what you deserve.
They know that your expenses are adding up and likely causing you stress, and their hope is that you’ll jump at the lowball offer to relieve some immediate financial stress.
However, this is not a good idea because your case could cause you years of issues that you can’t foresee so soon after your accident.
By accepting a lowball offer out of desperation, you could leave many thousands of dollars that you are entitled to on the negotiating table.
And once you accept their offer, you can never go back for more.
With a slip and fall attorney from River Run Law, you do not need a slip and fall settlement calculator because we will help you calculate the amount you deserve and negotiate with the insurance company to secure a fair offer.
Instead of going through the process alone, contact one of our personal injury attorneys to advocate on your behalf.
Take the First Step Towards Your Slip-and-Fall Settlement Today
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, it is critical that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.
We know that an injury can upend your life, and we are committed to holding the responsible party accountable.
Even though we cannot erase your injury, we will do our best to ensure you secure a fair settlement to compensate you for your losses.
At River Run Law, we take pride in giving our clients the highest level of legal representation in some of their most challenging moments.
Our team utilizes years of experience combined with in-depth knowledge of Virginia law to fight for our clients.
You deserve to have someone in your corner who will advocate for what you need. Contact our office today to start your free consultation.
Where You Can Find Our Richmond Office
Brooke Alexander
Brooke graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brooke worked for five years in private practice with a law firm specializing in insurance defense litigation before becoming the trial litigator for Allstate Insurance Company in the metro Richmond area.
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