Getting back to normal life after a slip and fall injury can be difficult, especially if you are dealing with serious physical and emotional injuries. One thing that can be helpful, especially in terms of financial recovery, is filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Taking legal action empowers victims and gives them a sense of justice, as well as providing the financial compensation that they need to cover medical costs, lost wages, and more.
Just because a victim pursues a personal injury claim does not mean that he or she gets the full amount of compensation entitled. This is especially true if the plaintiff makes mistakes throughout the process. Slip and fall cases are complex, and there are numerous factors that can lessen the value of your settlement. In order to ensure that your case is successful, you need to meet with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Also, you need to understand which factors play a critical role in determining how much (or how little) compensation you will receive.
Things That Can Hurt a Plaintiff’s Slip and Fall Case
- Ignoring Physician Instructions – Personal injury claims are centralized on negligence, and the injuries caused by that negligence. Therefore, complying with your physician’s orders regarding those injuries is critical – otherwise, you could compromise your case. This means that you need to follow all treatment plans, make all follow-up appointments, take prescription medications given to you, etc. If, for some reason, you do not agree with the treatment plan prescribed, you can seek a second opinion – but only after consulting with your personal injury attorney first.
- Sharing Information About Your Case with the Wrong Third Party – During a personal injury claim, you will have numerous companies and individuals contact you about your case. You may also be tempted to share details about your case with family or friends. While it is hard, refrain from sharing details with anyone. If someone contacts you about the case, direct him or her to your attorney. Any information you share – especially on your own social media profile – can be used against you during your case.
- Failure to Keep Important Information – Whether it is a medical bill, paycheck stub or correspondence, anything related to your claim should be saved. Even the loss of a minor piece of paper could result in a smaller settlement. Keep everything, since not doing so gives the defense the opportunity to argue against your claim – especially if you state that you have numerous financial losses, but do not have proof of such losses.
- Not Retaining an Attorney – It has been proven that hiring an attorney will yield a higher settlement than negotiating a settlement on your own. That is because an attorney will know both how to handle insurance companies, and what information is needed to get a rightful settlement.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Regarding Your Slip and Fall
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Schwartzapfel® Lawyers, P.C. for a free consultation. We are here to work as your advocates to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for your case. Call 1-516-342-2200 now to schedule a free consultation or fill out our online contact form with your legal questions.
