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A slip and fall accident is almost always an unexpected incident. The injuries from the fall can result in high medical costs and loss of wages from missing time at work. Long-term injuries can affect your ability to return to work at full capacity.
Most people do not prepare for slip and fall accidents because they do not think it can happen to them. However, slip and fall accidents account for more than 1 million yearly hospital emergency room visits.
You should always know what to do if you suffer injuries on someone else’s property. If you or a loved one sustains injuries in a slip and fall accident, contact our Richmond slip and fall lawyers at River Run Law today to discuss your options.
What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall in Richmond?
After falling, many people do not know what to do next. The shame of falling in public can make you want to flee the scene as fast as possible. Unfortunately, leaving the scene of your fall can negatively impact your slip and fall case and likelihood of recovery.
Instead, you should take the following steps after a slip and fall accident.
Inform a Store Manager or Property Owner of Your Fall
You should first notify the property owner or store manager that you fell. You should also point out where the fall occurred and describe any conditions that led to your fall.
Even if you do not notice any obvious injuries, you should still tell the person responsible for the property about the accident.
You should notify the property manager whether you fall inside a business or outside in the parking lot. The owner or manager should create a report to document your fall.
Seek Medical Attention if You Are Injured
You should seek medical attention after a slip and fall accident if you are injured or experiencing pain. A doctor’s visit will create a medical record to document any injuries you sustained in the accident.
The medical record will help your attorney prove elements of your slip and fall claim. Do not let the threat of medical bills prevent you from seeking medical care. The person responsible for your fall may be liable for those losses.
Do Not Talk to Insurance Representatives Without a Lawyer
Insurance companies make more money by settling slip and fall accidents for less than what the victim deserves.
They take advantage of those with mounting medical bills and lost wages by offering victims a minimal settlement very soon after the accident. In the immediate aftermath of the fall, it is impossible to calculate the value of losses caused by the slip and fall.
Accepting a settlement before you realize how much compensation you deserve gives you much less negotiating power. Wait until you discuss your case with a Richmond slip and fall attorney and let them negotiate on your behalf.
Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney Immediately
No two slip and fall accidents are the same. A Richmond slip and fall attorney can review the circumstances of your case, gather evidence to help prove liability, and negotiate with the opposing party on your behalf.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Claim
Slip and fall claims follow the legal theory of premises liability. Premises liability means a property owner is responsible for accidents occurring on their property due to negligence.
Property owners owe a duty to most individuals on their property to keep the premises safe. The duty of care can change based on the injured party’s status.
Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and are required to inspect their property for hidden defects and remedy them within a reasonable period. Invitees are individuals who visit properties open to the public, like a customer in a store.
Property owners owe licensees a duty to warn of any dangerous conditions they know about. Licensees are individuals who visit private or commercial property for their benefit, like a door-to-door salesman.
Property owners do not owe trespassers a duty of care but are prohibited from inflicting intentional harm.
Property owners can breach their duty of care by failing to ensure dark stairways have adequate lighting, provide a warning for wet conditions, or address any other issues that may pose a danger to visitors.
When the property owner’s breach results in a slip and fall accident, they are liable for losses incurred by the victim. The plaintiff, or person filing the lawsuit, must prove that the property owner was negligent and their negligence directly caused the slip and fall injury.
Damages in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
The plaintiff in a slip and fall claim files a claim against the property owner to recover the losses they incurred due to the accident. Examples of losses caused by a slip and fall case include:
- Medical bills,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Lost wages for missed work,
- Loss of future earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering,
- Disfigurement, and
- Inconvenience.
The higher your losses, the more compensation you deserve. An attorney at River Run Law will compile evidence of your financial losses to determine the amount of compensation owed to you.
We will consult with financial experts to determine the value of your noneconomic losses. Once we calculate the value of your claim, we can negotiate with the opposing party to secure a settlement.
Types of Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents
Some common injuries seen in slip and fall cases include:
- Sprains,
- Contusions,
- Lacerations,
- Broken bones,
- Head injuries,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Back injuries, and
- Death.
Medical records about your injuries in the accident are critical to proving whether the defendant’s negligence caused your losses. Medical bill invoices will also create documentation proving the extent of your monetary losses.
Where Can a Slip and Fall Accident Happen?
A slip and fall claim can arise anytime an individual gets injured on someone else’s property. Slip and fall accidents are common in the following locations:
- Grocery stores,
- Parking lots,
- Department stores,
- Hotels,
- Trampoline parks,
- Amusement parks, and
- Construction sites.
The existence of a valid claim depends on whether someone’s negligence caused your accident. A qualified attorney can review the details of your case and determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Did You Suffer Injuries on Someone Else’s Property? Contact Our Slip and Fall Lawyers in Richmond at River Run Law to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, you should reach out to an attorney as soon as you can. A lawyer will review the details of your case and determine whether you should file a lawsuit.
Our team at River Run Law has extensive experience helping individuals recover compensation in slip and fall claims. Even though we cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by your injury, we will fight to secure a fair settlement to compensate you for your losses.
Our team takes pride in offering our clients the highest level of legal representation at some of the hardest points in their lives. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
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