Many victims of slip and fall accidents suffer serious injuries that have a significant and lasting impact on their lives. These injuries’ physical pain, financial losses, and emotional turmoil can be overwhelming.
A New York slip and fall attorney can help you recover fair compensation. The main issues in a slip-and-fall case are liability and damages.
Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible
Your attorney will review your case and determine the most effective way to gather evidence. The moments after your fall are crucial for gathering photographic and other evidence, mainly if the dangerous conditions were caused by an object that could have been cleaned or removed.
Documentation of your medical care is also essential to proving your injuries and the need for compensation. In addition, a slip and fall lawyer will help you calculate your past and future medical expenses, lost income, and other costs such as long-term disability or pain and suffering.
An insurance adjuster often offers a settlement within a few days after your injury. However, this first offer is often far short of the amount you are entitled to receive. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and ensure you get what you need and deserve. They will also go to the scene of your accident to take pictures and talk with eyewitnesses.
Gather Evidence
If possible, take pictures of the scene of your fall and any dangerous conditions that contributed to your injury, such as poor lighting or uneven flooring. If witnesses were present, get their full names and contact information. They can offer a crucial perspective in your case by providing an objective account of the incident.
Your medical records are also essential evidence in your personal injury claim. Be sure to visit a doctor soon after your fall and follow your doctor’s orders. Your medical records will document the severity of your injuries and indicate how the accident impacted your life.
Save any bills, receipts, and invoices relating to your financial losses. This will help demonstrate the impact of your injuries on your quality of life and how much they’ve cost you. Keeping a pain journal to accurately calculate your injuries’ physical, emotional, and financial effects is also a good idea.
Contact a Medical Professional
Most personal injury cases require the assistance of an attorney. But slip and fall claims are incredibly complex, and a good NYC lawyer’s help is essential. Whether you’re dealing with an insurance company that covers the property owner or a workers’ comp insurer, an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer can handle these conversations. That way, you will avoid any mistakes that hurt your claim.
An experienced attorney can also help you identify the responsible party or parties for the accident. This may be the property owner or anyone who must keep the property safe. It could also be an employer who fails to follow safety protocols or a business that fails to correct hazardous conditions on its premises.
It’s important to take detailed pictures of the scene and any other conditions that contributed to your injuries, including a record of any expenses incurred due to the accident. And wait to sign any medical releases for an insurance company or anyone else before consulting with your attorney.
Contact an Insurance Company
An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer will work to compile all types of evidence, including pictures of the accident scene, medical records, and any statements from witnesses. If you were hurt on a business or government property, your lawyer may also request an incident report from the company or entity in charge. It is essential to document the conditions of the area where you fell and to ensure that they did not change before your trial.
The insurance company for the property owner is not on your side – they are trying to avoid liability and minimize, delay, or deny your losses. The most effective way to protect your rights is to have your NYC slip and fall attorney handle communications with the insurance adjuster.
If you are suing a government entity for unsafe public property, New York law has specific requirements and strict deadlines that your lawyer can explain. Your lawyer can help you comply with these laws and ensure that your claim is filed on time.
