It only takes a moment to experience a catastrophic fall, but in that short time, your life can change significantly. Painful injuries take weeks or months to heal. The loss of your former quality of life can lead to depression, anxiety, and frustration.
Medical bills for doctors, specialists, and therapy add up fast. You may find yourself unable to work, with no way to recover your lost wages. It isn’t fair, especially when your fall resulted from the reckless or negligent acts of another party.
You need a Lancaster personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our Lancaster slip and fall lawyers have decades of combined legal experience. Reach out to us for a free consultation.
How Does a Lancaster Slip and Fall Case Work?
Fighting against powerful insurance companies can be intimidating. At Omega Law Group, we put our clients first, and it is important to us that you understand how your slip and fall case might play out. While no two situations are identical, here are the typical steps.
Initial Consultation
When you contact our Lancaster slip and fall lawyer, we’ll set up a free consultation to review your case. Come prepared with any questions you have, and be ready to give a full accounting of the accident. We are on your side, and the more we know, the better we can serve you.
Investigation and Evidence Collection
If you agree to move forward, our lawyers will begin to dig deeper into your case. We’ll look for medical records, accident reports, witness testimonies, and any other documentation that we can use to show who was liable for your injuries.
We’ll also compile a thorough picture of your physical, psychological, and financial hardships, which will help us determine the true value of your claim. You can help by keeping track of all records and documentation.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Once we have a clear idea of who was at fault and how much you deserve, we’ll file claims and negotiate with their insurance companies and lawyers. They may try to offer a lower settlement that works best for them. We’ll go to bat for you and fight for the amount you really need.
Filing a Lawsuit
Ideally, we’d like to see a fair settlement at the negotiating table. However, when all else fails, we aren’t afraid to take your case to civil court. We’ll stand with you and work toward a just award that helps you get your life back on track.
How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth in Lancaster?
It is impossible to predict where negotiations will lead or what amount a jury may award. Speaking with a slip and fall attorney in Lancaster is the best way to get an idea of compensatory damages types and examples.
Compensation may include:
- Medical bills: The extent of your medical bills and insurance coverage is a big factor in determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
- Lost wages: If you miss work because of your injury, even for a short period, your lost wages may affect your award.
- Lost future earnings: Your injury may impact your ability to do your job or prevent you from continuing in your current profession. You may require additional skills training to change careers.
- Property damage: Personal items damaged in the fall might be considered in your settlement amount, depending on their value and the circumstances.
- Pain and suffering: In some cases, the hardships of pain and suffering, as well as the loss of quality of life, can factor into your award.
- Punitive damages: Occasionally, when the at-fault party has been especially reckless, extremely negligent, or engaged in illegal activity, a jury may award punitive damages to punish them and deter future behavior.
Issues Resulting From a Slip and Fall Accident
Nobody wants to feel like they are complaining about aches and pains. However, if these pains are a result of a fall, it is important to take them seriously. What seems like a minor issue can progress to a larger problem if not addressed.
Some common issues suffered after a slip and fall accident include:
- Soft tissue injuries such as bruises and contusions
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Knee injuries, such as torn ligaments and dislocations
- Shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff injuries, and fractures
Slips and falls are among the most common personal injury cases, and they are nothing to brush off. All of these injuries have the potential to lead to long-term pain and suffering, not to mention the costs associated with extensive doctor visits and therapy.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
A public fall can be embarrassing, and it is human nature to want to bounce back up and act like everything is fine. It is better to take a moment and assess your situation. If you are hurt, and if it is safe to do so, stay down and wait for help. Or, if possible, call emergency services yourself.
Next, get to a doctor, even if you feel like nothing is wrong. If paramedics arrive on the scene and wish to take you to the hospital, follow their advice. It is important to get a solid snapshot of your medical condition after the fall in case of future complications.
Finally, keep track of all documentation related to your fall, including medical reports and expenses, lost work hours, police reports, and anything else that explains what happened. This information helps establish your case and the compensation you are entitled to.
Get Help from a Lancaster Slip and Fall Lawyer
All it takes is one negligent property owner or reckless individual, and your life can be altered forever. It isn’t fair, and it is insulting when the at-fault party’s lawyers offer a low settlement in an attempt to skirt their true responsibility.
Though we wish we could, no Lancaster slip and fall attorney can turn back the clock to a time before your injury. But we can do the next best thing: fight for your rights so you get the compensation you need to live your best possible life.
At Omega Law Group, we put our clients first. Always. Contact us today to find out how we can help.