Slip-and-fall accidents are arguably some of the common causes of severe injuries in Las Vegas and the entire United States. The National Floor Safety Institute (NSFI) estimates that more than one million Americans receive emergency treatment for slip, trip, and fall injuries each year in the US.
The consequences of injuries related to slip-and-fall accidents are not only devastating to families, but they raise insurance costs that impact our entire society. If you or a loved one suffered extensive slip-and-fall injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you could potentially be entitled to economic and non-economic damages.
However, not all damages apply to all slip-and-fall accidents. Besides, proving negligence in a slip-and-fall accident can be tricky. As such, it is important to consult with a slip-and-fall accident lawyer from Pacific West Injury Law today for advice on the best way to proceed with your claim process.
Examples of Slip-and-Fall Accidents We Handle
Slip-and-fall accidents occur anywhere and at any time. Typical places where these accidents happen mostly include apartment buildings, restaurants, shopping malls, schools, parking garages, and grocery stores. Slip-and-fall accidents are caused mainly by any of the following:
- Spillages
- Potholes
- Broken or missing handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Tripping hazards
- Uneven or broken steps
- Broken pavements
After a slip-and-fall accident, you can sustain injuries, such as bruises or scrapes, fractured pelvis, head injuries, back and neck injuries, and more.
What You Should Do After a Slip, Trip, and Fall Accident
The actions you do soon after a slip-and-fall accident can break or make your case. At Pacific West Injury Law, we recommend that you take the following steps:
Seek Medical Treatment
Prioritize your health or the health of a loved one after a slip, trip, and fall accident. Some symptoms of slip-and-fall injuries may fail to manifest immediately, and seeing a doctor sooner ensures any injury is diagnosed and treated early enough.
Besides, a visit to the doctor helps document your injuries accordingly. Ideally, the medical documents form critical pieces of evidence when pursuing your claims.
Report the Accident
Whether you tripped and fell at the workplace, a sidewalk, or a friend’s house, ensure you report the incident to the relevant person, such as the managers, owner, or landlord. Document all the details of the incident in writing and ask the managers, owner or landlord, to write a report. Make a copy of their written report.
Document Every Detail
You should also document every necessary detail about the incidents. These include the names, addresses, and contact details of all potential witnesses. Witness statements can help prove your claim if you decide to pursue one.
You should also obtain video surveillance footage and photos of the scene of the accident while taking care to capture any stairs, slippery patches, and other conditions that could have contributed to the accident.
Additionally, write down a detailed statement of the accident that includes your actions before the accident, exact time and date, and other relevant details. Finally, put the shoes and the clothes you were wearing on the day of the accident in safe storage. These, too, can be essential pieces of evidence later.
Don’t Give Any Statements
Limit all your communication with the liable party. Don’t display any details concerning the accident on social media.
Similarly, don’t give any statement to an insurance agent until you have spoken with an attorney. Importantly, do not apportion blame on anyone and don’t accept any either.
Contact Your Attorney
If you are considering a lawsuit, the first person to contact is an experienced attorney. Slips, trip, and fall cases are complex and challenging to prove.
However, our highly experienced slip-and-fall attorneys have the best resources, experience, knowledge, and solid track record that can help you recover your rightful compensation.
Types of Damages Available in a Slip-and-Fall Case
Undoubtedly, each slip-and-fall injury case is unique, and so do the damages. However, the typical damages that you can expect out of your case include:
Medical Bills
Medical bills damages are the top determining factor in a slip-and-fall lawsuit settlement amount. These damages cover the cost of medical costs arising from an injury and the cost of continued medical treatment.
Lost Income
The treatments related to your injuries can force you to miss work for extended periods. Ideally, the doctor, therapist, and rehabilitation appointments take a lot of time, during which you may lose your source of income. The lost income damages compensate for these losses.
Reduced Future Earning Capacity
Loss of future earning capacity is an item of recoverable damages focusing on what you would have earned in the future if the injury had not occurred. Loss of earnings is awarded if the jury or court finds that a plaintiff has suffered a reduction in their ability to earn money due to an injury.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages compensate for the physical discomforts, anguish, inconveniences, and emotional distress that a victim of a slip-and-fall accident goes through.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
The state of Nevada imposes a two-year statute of limitation from the date of the injury. A statute of limitation is a strict legal time limit that parties have to begin legal actions from the date of an alleged offense.
It is essential to begin your personal injury lawsuit within this provided timeline. Typically, the court in Las Vegas won’t entertain lawsuits filed after the statute of limitations has run out, meaning you will lose opportunities to recover your damages.
What Is Premises Liability in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Your right to a slip-and-fall settlement is anchored on the idea of premises liability. Premises liability is a concept that the owner or leaser of a property is responsible for maintaining and ensuring it is free of any hazards that can harm those who access it.
If a visitor, customer, worker, or client is injured due to a failure to uphold this responsibility, the owner or leaser of the said property can be held liable even if the injured party is found partially at fault.
Get Professional Help from One of Our Skilled Attorneys Today
The CDC estimates the average hospital cost of a slip-and-fall is more than $30,000. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, contact us now and book an appointment for a non-obligatory initial consultation.
