This is a question that you’re likely to ask yourself when you or a loved one has been involved in a slip or fall accident. The answer is not always cut and dry because of the nature of such cases. There are a couple of factors that will come into play when making such a decision. It is imperative that you’re weighing each and every factor before making the decision to work with an attorney. It is natural to have questions and only a reputable attorney will have the right answers. Before you can decide to hire a slip and fall attorney, it is important that you’re having an understanding of what such a case will entail.
Such a case will arise from what is called “premise liability” in the legal profession. Property owners have the responsibility of ensuring that the building is safe for tenants, employees, and customers. In most states, the property owner will be legally liable for accidents that happen on the property as a result of negligence. If you’re the victim of such an accident, it will be a good idea to reach out to an Atlanta slip and fall attorney to help out with the case.
Why Should You Reach out to a Slip and Fall Injury Attorney?
There are situations that will arise and will necessitate getting in touch with a slip and fall injury attorney. Some of the conditions will include:
When you have reason to believe that the owner of the building had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition that resulted in the injuries. There are property owners that slack when it comes to maintenance and will only react when there is a problem. The onus will be on you to prove that the hazardous situation could have been avoided if an inspection was done.
What led to the fall: This is another important consideration that will be examined when trying to establish who’s at fault for the injuries sustained. Falling down and getting injured on someone’s property doesn’t necessarily entitle you to compensation. A good example is when you fall down the stairs. One of the first questions that are likely to be asked is how the fall happened and some of the circumstances that might have led to it. Were you holding the handrails and what time of shoes were you wearing during the fall? The insurance and the lawyers will focus on the critical facts about the case in a bid to collect the crucial evidence to determine who is at fault.
The extent of the injuries: You might have fallen because of improper maintenance but ended with bruises or a twisted ankle. Such injuries might not be worth the time to file a lawsuit. It is still encouraged to reach out to an attorney so that you’re aware of the options. The extent of the injuries will determine the magnitude of the case. You might have fallen and hit your head hard against the concrete. Serious injuries will have a bigger impact on your life. There are some accidents that might lead to permanent disability. In such circumstances, it will make sense to get in touch with a slip and fall attorney for your case. The attorney will be able to establish the full extent of the pain and suffering that you’ve had to go through so that it is being factored in the compensation package.
Liability is disputed: Determining who is at fault is always going to be a challenging endeavor. You might feel like the building owner is responsible for the fall because of lack of maintenance but they still fail to admit fault. Insurance companies have a way of reducing or denying liability even for cut and dry cases. You’ll be putting yourself at a serious disadvantage when you decide to file for the claim on your own. You need to work with an experienced attorney that knows how to deal with insurance companies.
Unfair Settlement: Insurance companies will always be looking at the bottom line when issuing out settlements since they’re money-making entities. This means that they’ll want to offer the least possible amount. If you feel that you deserve more, the best thing you can do is to get in touch with a personal injury attorney for your case. You should be looking for someone that has specialized with slip and fall cases. Such an attorney will know what needs to be done to ensure that you’re getting maximum compensation for the injuries.
