What Is the Average Slip and Fall Settlement?

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Slip and fall injuries happen every day in all types of situations and to all types of people, and these can be serious and result in severe pain. About one-fifth of slip and fall injuries result in broken bones or head injuries, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Slip-and-fall accidents can happen fast and with no warning. However, property owners must do their utmost to provide warnings and take preventive steps when it is possible. When a property owner fails to do so, he or she can be found legally negligent.

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you need to reach a settlement fast. Gould Injury Law can help you get the compensation you require as fast as possible.

Contact our law office at 888-WIN-FAST. Or fill out the online form and schedule your free consultation today!

 

How Much Can You Receive in a Slip-and-Fall Accident Settlement?

The average slip and fall settlement can vary widely depending on a number of factors. These factors include the:

  • Severity of the injury
  • Amount of medical expenses incurred
  • Degree to which the property owner or manager is found to be at fault

In general, settlements for slip-and-fall accidents tend to be lower than settlements for other types of personal injury cases, such as car accidents or medical malpractice. This is because slip and fall cases can be more difficult to prove. There is often a degree of uncertainty as to whether the property owner or manager could have reasonably prevented the accident.

For minor injuries, such as sprains or bruises, settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to $15,000. For more severe injuries, such as broken bones or head injuries, settlements can range from $25,000 to $100,000. In some cases, settlements can be higher, particularly if the injury results in long-term or permanent disability.

Keep in mind that every case is different. The settlement for one may not indicate the reality of a settlement for a different claim or lawsuit.

Additionally, settlements are not guaranteed. The parties may not reach an agreement. In such a circumstance, the case can go to trial. In a case that goes to trial, a jury can decide the compensation.

 

What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case?

In order to prove negligence in a slip and fall case, your attorney must gather and present evidence that shows the following.

  • The property owner or manager had a duty of care to keep the property safe for visitors
  • The property owner or manager breached the duty of care by failing to take judicious steps to maintain the property in a safe and sound manner or by failing to address known hazards
  • The breach of duty caused the accident, and the accident resulted in your injuries

To prove these elements, your attorney must collect evidence such as:

  • Photographs or videos of the scene of the accident: This includes documenting any hazards that may have contributed to the fall, such as wet or slippery surfaces, uneven pavement, or cluttered walkways.
  • Eyewitness statements: Anyone who saw the accident happen or how the hazard came to be can be a witness.
  • Medical records and bills: These records should document the type and severity of your injuries.
  • Maintenance records and inspection reports: Records from the property owner or manager can show that he or she was aware of the hazard but failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
  • Expert testimony: A safety engineer or a medical expert can explain the cause of the accident, the nature of your injuries, and extent to which you are hurt.

One key to prove a slip and fall case is proving that the property owner or manager was aware of the hazard or that he or she should have been aware of the danger.

To establish this, your attorney must show that the hazard existed for a long enough period of time that the property owner or manager should have known about it and taken steps to address it.

It can be especially important to consult with an attorney who specializes in slip and fall cases as soon as possible after the accident. He or she can help you to gather and preserve evidence. Further, your attorney can advise you on the best way to proceed.

 

What Types of Compensation Can You Receive in a Slip and Fall Settlement?

If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be able to receive a settlement that includes compensation for your losses. The types of damages that you could have covered by a slip and fall settlement include the following. 

 

Medical expenses

Medical costs include any medical treatment you received as a result of the accident. This would include hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. 

 

Lost wages

If you were unable to work as a result of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for the wages you lost during your recovery period. 

 

Pain and suffering

Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress that you experience because of the accident. 

 

Permanent disability

If your injuries cause a permanent disability, you may be able to receive restitution for the loss of earning capacity. Further, you can receive payment for the cost of any future ongoing medical treatment or care.

 

Punitive damages 

In some cases, the property owner or manager’s actions were particularly reckless or negligent. If this is your situation, you may be able to receive punitive damages. These are intended to punish the property owner or manager and deter similar behavior in the future.

The amount of compensation you can receive can depend significantly on the argument and presentation of facts of your attorney. He or she must present an accurate explanation of the severity of your injuries and the degree to which the property owner or manager is found to be at fault.

Remember, settlements or awards are not guaranteed. The at-fault parties may resist a fair agreement. In this case, the case can go to trial. A wise and capable lawyer can help a jury decide on the right and fair amount of compensation fast. 

 

How to Receive a Fast, Fair Settlement for Your Slip and Fall Case

For you to obtain a fair settlement by means of a slip and fall claim or lawsuit, one crucial legal detail must be proven – that of causation. 

What is causation, and how is it established in a slip and fall case?

Causation in a slip-and-fall accident case refers to the link between the actions or inactions of the property owner or manager and the injuries suffered by the plaintiff (the person who has filed the lawsuit).

In order to prove causation in a slip and fall case, the plaintiff must show that the property owner or manager’s breach of duty (failure to take reasonable steps to keep the property safe) was the direct cause of the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries.

To prove causation, the plaintiff must prove that:

  1. The property owner or manager had a duty of care to keep the property safe for visitors
  2. The property owner or manager breached that duty by failing to take reasonable steps to maintain the property in a safe manner or by failing to address known hazards
  3. The breach of duty directly caused the accident
  4. The accident directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries

For example, a grocery store employee spills liquid on the floor and fails to clean it up. He or she may not have put up warning signs. As a result, a customer slips and falls because of the slippery floor.

In this scenario, the store would be considered to have breached its duty of care. The spill would be considered the direct cause of the accident.

However, causation is not always straightforward. It can be difficult to prove.

For example, suppose the plaintiff has pre-existing medical conditions that may have contributed to the injuries. In that case, the defendant may argue that the accident was not the direct cause of your slip-and-fall accident or current health condition.

 

Get the Fast Settlement You Need With Gould Injury Law

A slip-and-fall accident can be painful and result in a wide range of injuries. Depending on the height of the fall and the surface you land on, the harm inflicted can be severe. However, obtaining a fair settlement does not have to be a painful experience.

Injuries that you get from a slip-and-fall accident can fast accumulate bills and expenses. It is therefore crucial to achieve a settlement just as fast. A skilled attorney can help you collect the evidence you need to prove you are entitled to a settlement.

The slip-and-fall accident attorneys of Gould Injury Law can help you get that fast and fair settlement. Our attorneys can move quickly to protect your legal rights.

Reach out to our slip-and-fall accident lawyers so we can help you recover financially with a fair and adequate settlement. For fast results, call us at Gould Injury Law. Call 888-WIN-FAST today or fill out the online form for a free consultation.