Suffering from a slip and fall injury can be sudden and without warning. Usually, a slip and fall injury occurs when someone omits to do what they ought to have done, which results in a hazardous situation. Once such a situation is created, anyone can fall victim to it.
If your loved one has been unfortunate enough to fall victim to such a situation, you have to spring into action. In addition to getting your loved one the medical care needed, you have to ensure that they get the justice that they deserve.
You have to take care of things on their behalf to make sure that they do not suffer more than they already have.
Arrange for Medical Care
Your priority should be to arrange for medical care to care for the injuries your loved one has sustained. If the injuries are severe, you need to make sure that they get the care needed before the adrenaline wears off and the pain becomes unbearable.
A slip and fall injury can result in a number of serious injuries, such as broken bones, a crushed hip bone, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries. These injuries can be very painful, and sometimes they can have lasting effects. This is why it should be your priority to get the medical attention needed for your loved one.
Document the Circumstances
The circumstances in which the accident occurred are also significant. If there was a hazard that led to the fall and injury of your loved one, you need to document it. In case the incident happened in a place like a grocery store due to a spill or clutter, you need to take a video of it on your phone.
If there are no warning signs or indications warning people of the hazard, you need to document the lack of such warning signs. If there are other potential hazards, you need to make a note of them as well. You need to provide a clear picture for the viewer to show how the hazardous situation led to the injury.
Notify the Property Owner
After the incident, you have to notify the property owner of the hazard. You need to inquire if they are aware of the hazard that is present on their property and what they intend to do about it. You can do this with the help of a manager as well.
In addition, you can call the authorities at the scene. Doing so will enable you to get a police report of the incident, which will include all the particulars of the day and the scene. If there are any witnesses, the police will be able to take their statements as well.
Seek Legal Help from an Attorney
Getting an attorney involved early on can be a smart move. An attorney can provide you with a lot of information that can be crucial for you. There can be instances where you will be asked questions about the incident by the representatives of the property owner, and you need to know the right answers.
If you or your loved one are not careful, it can ruin the chances of your success. This is why it is crucial to seek legal help from slip and fall attorney Justin Peterson. A specialist attorney like Justin Peterson will be able to guide you through your options.
They will also be able to help you figure out if you have a case or not. You will also get the information needed regarding the limitation period surrounding the legal remedies you want to explore.
Keep records Maintained
If you decide to take action against the liable parties, you will need records to prove your case. Things like the police report and the medical bills are all part of your records. The medical reports of your loved one detailing the particulars of their injury are also crucial.
All of these things can combine to make a strong case for your loved one. You can seek compensation on their behalf for all the suffering and medical expenses. Similarly, you can provide proof of their wages to show the monetary loss in terms of lost wages.
Do Not Settle Without Your Lawyer
Once you take action against the property owner, they will try to settle the matter with you and your loved one. The property owner’s priority will be to get rid of their liability for as low a cost as possible. They would want to wrap up the matter quickly and quietly.
However, this can be less than optimal for your loved one. The cost offered initially by the property owner will be less than the expenses incurred by your loved one, which is why you need to take your time and negotiate through your lawyer for better terms.
Be Ready for Trial Proceeding
If the settlement talks do not prove to be fruitful, you will have to move forward with the trial. When the matter goes to court, you will have to prove the liability of the property owner. You need to show that they were aware of the risk and chose not to do anything about it.
In addition to that, you will need to prove that the injuries incurred by your loved one were a result of the negligence of the property owner. The property owner will try to shake their liability by trying to prove that the injuries were pre-existing or that they were unaware of the potential hazard.
Understand the Fee Structuring
In order to initiate legal proceedings against the liable party, you will need to engage an attorney. The attorney that you engage will obviously charge you for their time. This can be a fairly expensive ordeal, and you need to discuss payment beforehand.
Ideally, you would want an attorney who is willing to work for you on a contingency basis. Representation on a contingency basis simply means that you will pay the attorney for their services only if you win.