Avoid Pitfalls that Prevent Maximum Compensation in a Slip and Fall Case
In New York City, slip and fall accidents lead to more than 50,000 hospitalizations each year. For children aged 14 and under and adults aged 25 and older, falls are the leading cause of hospitalization. The average hospital bill for a slip and fall accident is thousands of dollars.
At Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green, our slip and fall lawyers are committed to fighting for the rights of those injured due to another party’s negligence. To ensure your case is solid, we recommend avoiding common mistakes to protect your right to hold the liable parties accountable and receive maximum compensation.
Turn Your Slip and Fall into a Step Towards Justice. Contact Us Today!
Avoid Mistakes in Medical Evaluation and Treatment
Many of the most common mistakes involve medical evaluation and treatment, and they include:
Delayed medical treatment – Some injuries, like head trauma, may not appear serious right after a fall but can worsen over time. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment can provide early detection and treatment. It also provides valuable documentation that bolsters the credibility of your claim.
Failing to comply with follow-up instructions – A follow-up evaluation may seem like an annoying technicality. However, it allows your doctor to spot developing issues that could interfere with recovery. Skipping follow-up appointments also undermines your case by giving the appearance that you are not that badly injured, leading to a lower settlement offer.
Avoid Mistakes in Negotiating or Litigating a Slip and Fall Injury
You can also undermine your case by not compiling evidence or failing to consult an attorney. Here’s why:
Not preserving evidence – You will bear the burden of proving that someone else was at fault for your fall and that the fall caused your injuries and losses. Plaintiffs who cannot prove these things lose their cases or receive reduced compensation. Improve your case by:
- Taking photos of the scene and injury (even cell phone photos at the time of the accident are very important)
- Identifying witnesses
- Retaining medical records
- Keeping copies of pay stubs if the injury led to reduced income
Accepting the first settlement offer – After a fall on someone else’s property, you will usually start negotiations with the other party’s insurance company. However, their goal is to settle the case for as little as possible. Therefore, the first offer is rarely, if ever, the best offer. Claimants have the right to turn down the offer and make a counteroffer. Full compensation requires strong advocacy, which sometimes means filing a lawsuit and going to trial.
Not calling an attorney immediately – The sooner you speak with an attorney experienced in handling NYC slip and fall injuries, the better. They can begin an investigation, preserve valuable evidence, and communicate with the insurance company so that you do not need to interact with adjusters. Having a lawyer on board as soon as possible usually leads to more significant compensation in less time.
Speak With an Attorney Today
The NYC slip and fall lawyers at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green, P.C. fight tirelessly for those who have sustained personal injuries in New York. If you have been hurt in a slip and fall, please contact us for a free consultation. Our team is here to provide a skilled analysis of what your case is worth and advocate for maximum compensation. We also work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
