How to Seek Justice and Maximum Compensation as a Victim of a Slip and Fall Accident
Two of the most common questions from victims of slip and fall accidents are:
- Is what happened considered a slip-and-fall accident?
- What is the maximum compensation I can receive for this accident?
In South Carolina, the average cost of medical care related to falls is $671 million yearly. Your ability to initiate a slip and fall claim and obtain damages is affected by several South Carolina statutes, including modified comparative fault laws and premises liability regulations.
If you happen to be a resident of Myrtle Beach, SC, for instance, and have been injured on someone else’s property from slipping and falling and want to pursue justice and seek maximum compensation for this accident, find an experienced Myrtle Beach slip and fall accident lawyer.
Factors to Consider When Seeking Justice and Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents
If the answer to the first question above is “yes,” there are some considerations to take into account in estimating your maximum compensation for this accident.
- What type of injuries did you suffer as a result of the slip and fall accident?
- Did you require medical treatments, and what type were these treatments?
- Did you suffer damages as a result of the slip and fall accident, such as lost wages, medical bills, or pain and suffering?
- Were you in any form partly responsible for the slip and fall accident?
A slip-and-fall attorney will go through these questions with you to determine the property owner’s liability and estimate the compensation you deserve.
What is Considered a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents are considered premises liability cases. To successfully win a slip and fall accident claim, you have to prove the property owner is legally responsible for the accident.
These are some of the different types of accidents that are considered slips and falls:
- Falling down the stairs
- Slipping and falling on ice and snow
- Taking a fall inside a store
- Falling due to dangerous sidewalk conditions
- Falling on public sidewalks and streets
How to Determine Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident
There are several factors that will impact the compensation you can receive for a slip and fall accident. A couple of those factors include the severity of your injuries and the cost of medical treatments to care for those injuries.
Another factor to consider is where the fault lies for the accident and if you were partly responsible. If it is decided you played some part in the occurrence of the accident, it will impact the amount of compensation you deserve.
The most important factor considered when determining maximum compensation for a slip and fall accident is the severity of the injuries you sustained.
The compensation is more substantial if your injuries are severe and will impact your remaining life. If injuries are minor, you would not see as much compensation for them.
Injuries sustained as a result of a slip and fall accidents are placed in one of two groups:
- Soft tissue injuries
- A soft tissue injury typically is not visible. These injuries are harder to understand, and it will take more convincing for the insurance company. A slip-and-fall attorney understands these situations and will help you prove these types of injuries by gathering concrete evidence and utilizing expert witness testimonies.
- A soft tissue injury typically is not visible. These injuries are harder to understand, and it will take more convincing for the insurance company. A slip-and-fall attorney understands these situations and will help you prove these types of injuries by gathering concrete evidence and utilizing expert witness testimonies.
- Hard injuries
- A hard tissue injury is visible and can either be seen visually or through an X-ray or CAT scan. These injuries are easier for an insurance company to see. However, a slip-and-fall attorney will still be beneficial in negotiating how severe the injury is and the compensation due to you for the suffering.
Hard injuries are typically valued higher in terms of compensation. Insurance companies typically see soft tissue injuries as nuisance cases and attempt to block compensation.
Hard injuries are given more value as they typically require more extensive medical treatments, so the medical expenses will be greater.
Soft tissue injuries will take more work to receive compensation for them. A slip-and-fall accident attorney will help you through the paperwork necessary to file this type of claim. It will require recording how you were injured, your emotional and physical pain, and any medical treatments needed to care for your injuries.
Conclusion
If someone is responsible for your slip and fall accident and you are living with emotional or physical pain, you deserve justice and maximum compensation.
A slip-and-fall accident attorney can help you through the legal process and guide you through getting justice and maximum compensation for this accident.