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A slip-and-fall accident can be absolutely traumatic, both physically and emotionally. Going about your daily routine should not be considered a high-risk activity. Yet, all too often, innocent people find themselves seriously injured as a result of falling on someone else’s property. In such cases, your life can go downhill fast, but you can also make sure your rights are protected faster.
If you have been hurt in a slip- or trip-and-fall incident, you may be wondering what your legal recourse is and what kind of compensation is available to you. The amount for which you can sue for a slip-and-fall accident depends much on the severity of your injuries and the impact these have on your quality of life.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you to assess the extent of your damages and advise you how to best move forward with your claim. The passionate legal team at Gould Injury Law is dedicated to getting fast results for Connecticut injury victims. With decades of experience under our belts, we work aggressively to get the compensation each of our clients deserves, as quickly as possible.
We understand that you are looking for a fast resolution in your case. Call Gould Injury Law today at 888-WIN-FAST, or fill out our online form, to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
Common Injuries in Slip-and-Fall Accidents
A slip-and-fall may sound like no big deal, but such an accident can cause severe injuries with long recovery periods. Sadly, fall injuries are all too common. The National Safety Council reports that falls account for about one-third of all preventable non-fatal injuries in the US.
Injuries resulting from a slip-and-fall accident may include:
- Broken and fractured bones: It is not uncommon for a fall victim to break a bone in an effort to catch him or herself on the way down. Broken elbows, wrists, and hips are often reported as the result of a slip and fall.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Some falls can cause serious head injuries. Unfortunately, the brain has only a limited ability to heal after an injury. TBIs can lead to permanent limitations. A person who suffers a TBI may experience memory loss, communication difficulties, loss of coordination, and personality or behavioral changes.
- Spinal cord injuries: Falls are a major cause of spinal cord injuries. Such injuries often result in permanent paralysis, a loss of sensation and being unable to move below where you were injured.
- Soft tissue injuries: Such injuries may include tears, strains, and sprains and often result in shoulder, elbow, and knee damage.
- Skin lacerations: Slips and falls can lead to everything from a few scrapes to life-threatening punctures or abrasions. These types of injuries are usually caused by blunt force impact and can cause major bleeding and scarring.
Clearly, slip and fall injuries can be life-altering. It is critical to get medical attention as quickly as possible. This will aid your recovery process. Further, having detailed medical records of your injuries may result in a faster case resolution.
What You Can Sue For
In a slip and fall case, you can try to sue for the total amount of your losses. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.
You might pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills: These can include emergency room visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, physical therapy, in-home care, medical devices, and more.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: If you missed work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to lost wages and lost savings, as well as missed promotions and bonuses. Further, if your long-term ability to work was affected by your injuries, you may be eligible to be compensated for your loss of future earning capacity.
- Property damage: You might have dropped your cell phone or other electronic device in your fall, or perhaps you broke an expensive or sentimental item. You might be able to recover the cost of these articles to either repair or replace them.
- Pain and suffering: These pertain to your non-economic damages. The amount you are awarded for pain and suffering will have a lot to do with how extensive your injuries are and how greatly these conditions impact your life. You can be compensated if your fall injuries resulted in a reduced quality of life.
- Attorney’s fees: You should be able to recover the costs of legal representation in your injury settlement.
This is not a complete list of what you can sue for in a slip-and-fall accident. A fast-thinking lawyer, though, will know what to do right away. The team at Gould Injury Law, for one, can help evaluate your losses so that you can establish a strong foundation for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit faster.
How Much Slip and Fall Injuries are Worth
After hurting yourself by slipping and falling, you will need to determine the real cost of your injuries. As no two slip-and-fall accidents are exactly the same, there is no fixed amount for which you can be awarded.
Your lawyer can help you to fully assess the damages caused by the accident. In this way, you can ensure that the amount you sue for will fully compensate you financially for all you have suffered.
Important factors in determining how much your injuries are worth include the following.
The severity of your injuries
Severe injuries typically result in higher medical expenses. The more serious a condition is, the greater the likelihood of needing long-term care or experiencing permanent disability. Such injuries negatively impact a person’s quality of life. Additionally, when a person is seriously hurt, he or she may not work for a time, so lost wages or reduced earning capacity could be a consequence of the injury.
The amount of economic damages
Economic damages are determined by calculating the total amount of your medical bills. Medical expenses include emergency medical services, doctor’s visits, hospital bills, surgeries, prescription medication, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Economic damages can also include expenses such as in-home care or costs related to making your home more livable after your injuries.
The likelihood of needing future medical care
If you suffered significant injuries, you likely will need ongoing medical care. Estimates will be made for the cost of future medical expenses. Your lawyer can consult with your doctors and other medical experts to confirm the advisable course of treatment going forward. In this way, you can ensure that you are fairly compensated for all future medical bills relating to your accident.
The monetary value of lost wages
Slip and fall case values are partially based on financial losses from being too injured to work. Therefore, an injury victim’s age and work history, as well as how much he or she was earning before the accident, will affect the award amount for lost wages.
The monetary value of lost earning potential
A severe injury may affect how much money you are able to make. Depending on the type of job you had, you may no longer be able to perform or otherwise need a reduced workload. Also, you may be forced to change careers or miss out on advancement opportunities as a result of your injuries.
The amount of non-economic damages
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium. Pain and suffering damages encompass all of the pain, anguish, and trauma you have experienced as a result of the accident. While non-economic damages are more subjective, it is important to assign them a realistic value in order to really get your life back on track.
The amount of insurance the negligent party has
In almost all cases, insurance companies pay personal injury settlements and awards. Therefore, if you file a claim against an uninsured person, collecting your compensation will likely prove difficult, even with a favorable judgment. Most people simply do not have the means to pay accident expenses out of pocket.
Your willingness to negotiate for higher compensation
Insurance adjusters may offer to settle your case early on, but initial offers rarely intend to compensate an injury victim fairly. By allowing your attorney the time to fully assess the impacts of your injury and really negotiate your claim, you improve your chances of getting maximum compensation.
Hiring an experienced attorney
A skilled slip and fall attorney can prove to be invaluable as you seek compensation for your injuries. Best yet, your attorney will be able to do all of the following faster than if you tried to go it alone:
- Establishing a value for your case
- Determining liability
- Drafting your legal claim
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Arguing your case in court if necessary
- Collecting your settlement or award on your behalf and passing it to you
Contact a Connecticut Slip and Fall Attorney for Help
If you or a loved one slipped and fell as the result of an unaddressed dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Filing an injury claim or pursuing a lawsuit can be complicated and stressful.
The last thing you need as you work to recover from your injuries is more stress. The knowledgeable group at Gould Injury Law is here to help. We understand that you want to get your claim resolved as quickly as possible so you can move on with your life faster.
We can assess your case and help you decide how much compensation to pursue. And with the backing of our assertive legal team, you will get fast results.
The sooner you contact us, the faster we can put our legal resources to work on your behalf. Call Gould Injury Law today at 888-WIN-FAST, or fill out our online form, to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.