What You Need to Know if You Slip and Fall on Someone’s Property
There’s a certain clumsiness about people that inevitably causes them to find themselves sprawled on the ground as a result of a misstep. Usually, the consequences are only a little embarrassment and maybe a bruise.
Other times though, slips and falls can lead to serious injuries, and especially when it happens on someone else’s property, there may be strong reasons to file a claim with an owner’s insurance company for medical or disability benefits.
How Do I Know if I Have a Slip and Fall Case?
There is a misconception that the mere act of slipping and falling on someone’s property allows you to file an insurance claim. The fact is, while property owner negligence that can lead to serious injuries can and should be reported to proper authorities, it’s really only appropriate to file an insurance claim if you have been actually injured as a result of a slip and fall.
Officially known in Minnesota as premise liability cases, slip and fall claims are notoriously difficult to prove, and especially so for individuals filing with an insurance company by themselves.
Cases are won and lost on the point of liability, and while every property owner is required by law to maintain a reasonably safe premise, there is often a lot of gray area as to whether or not the duty was fulfilled.
As a result, most slip and fall lawyers only consider taking cases with somewhat serious injuries like broken bones, torn ligaments or other injuries requiring a significant amount of medical treatment.
Still, each case unique, and a free, no-obligation phone call or email is a small price to pay to find out if you may be awarded compensation for your fall.
I Really Don’t Want to Sue Anybody…
When you are injured in a slip and fall accident, it is common to have doubts about what to do next. While the idea of suing a property owner at first seems daunting and even callous, the reality is that owners pay monthly insurance premiums for this exact situation, and insurance companies pay their legal fees and any settlement or court award. The property owner’s monthly insurance payment may go up some, but that amount pales in comparison to the cost of healthcare in today’s market.
What Does a Premise Liability Lawyer Do and How Much Will it Cost?
During a slip and fall investigation, a premise liability lawyer preserves as much evidence as possible of the hazardous conditions that resulted in the claim.
Because evidence may be tampered with or unsafe elements may get repaired, it is important to take photos of the cause of your fall, if possible. If the fall is at a business or apartment complex, there is a good chance that the accident was recorded on surveillance video, which a slip and fall lawyer can compel owners to turn over.
Premise liability lawyers work slip and fall cases on contingency, which means you never pay anything out of pocket. Slip and fall attorneys typically have their fees and costs built into the settlement or trial award and usually advance you the cost of filing a claim.
Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Weston Law Office helps people in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the greater Twin Cities suburbs recover compensation for slip and fall injuries. A short, free phone call or email can lead to us helping you receive or continue medical, disability or chiropractic care. We work slip and fall cases on contingency, costing you nothing out of pocket. The only risk is not getting the care you need.
