According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2.5 million people visited the emergency room with 734,000 being admitted due to slip and fall accidents in 2013. Despite this, these accidents can seem minor when compared to larger-scale accidents. It is no wonder people often ask, do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall?
The answer to this question can be either yes or no. Ultimately, it all depends on several key factors, such as the extent of your injuries and the presence of negligence.
As you can see, all of these factors can be difficult to evaluate on your own. This is why it is advisable to speak to a Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney about whether you should proceed with a lawsuit.
When You Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Slip and fall situations that call for legal representation include:
- When You Have Severe Injuries
Slip and fall injuries often range in severity from a mild sprain to a serious condition such as Traumatic Brain Injury. It is generally considered uneconomical to go to trial over a sprained ankle. In this situation, your best option would be to accept the insurance provider’s offer.
However, if your injuries are severe, they could result in accumulated medical bills. They could also cause loss of income, disability, and untold pain and suffering. An attorney can help ensure you get compensated for all these losses.
- When the Property Owner Was Negligent
Property owners in New Jersey are mandated to maintain their premises in a safe condition. If you believe a property owner had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition that caused your slip and fall, an attorney can help prove liability.
Indications of negligence include:
- Proof that a dangerous condition existed long enough for the property owner to have noticed it
- Lack of sufficient warning for the dangerous condition
- Previous complaints about the dangerous condition that went ignored
- When Liability Is Disputed
Insurance companies are not in the business of handing out settlements. Chances are, they will try to reduce or deny liability if you are severely injured. They might argue that you were partially at fault for your fall. They could claim that:
- You were running in an area reserved for walking
- Your footwear contributed to your slip and fall
- You were not concentrating on your environment
A Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney can ensure liability for your accident is assigned fairly.
- When The Settlement Amount Is Unfair
Even if the insurance provider accepts to pay, they will likely offer less compensation than you deserve. The amount may not even cover your medical bills alone. If you feel that the settlement being offered is too low, contact an attorney.
He/she can file a claim for the maximum compensation possible for your case.
Talk to a Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney
Minor accidents where no one is injured or any property destroyed are suited for self-representation. However, slip and falls don’t fall under this category. This is mainly because it can be fairly difficult to determine fault. A property owner is not likely to accept that they owe you damages for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall, contact the Law Office of Anthony Carbone. Attorney Carbone, an expert Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney, will help you answer the question do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall?