Tripping incidents can occur in shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and parking garages among other places. People can trip or slip because of spillage, inadequate lighting, tripping hazards, potholes, missing handrails, and broken pavement.
Victims may sustain minor injuries like bruises or broken bones. But they can also receive severe injuries like spinal cord injuries, a fractured pelvis, or traumatic head injuries. These severe injuries can permanently affect the victim physically, financially, and mentally. This is why the victims should immediately get medically checked after the incident.
What damages can I receive after the accident?
If you have been severely wounded, you may have to deal with the pain and expensive medical bills. However, if you retain a skilled lawyer, you may receive compensation for a slip and fall accident. Economic damages entail the financial costs your injuries have created. This includes hospital appointments, medical bills, surgery costs, ambulance rides, and therapy. Economic damages also include the wages you have lost while recuperating in the hospital or at home. Other economic damages you may recover include the cost of employing home help, medical devices like wheelchairs and walkers, transportation costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages refer to compensation based on the change in the quality of life before and after the traumatic incident. For instance, non-economic damages include physical pain, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of earning capacity. Punitive damages are issued to the liable party as punishment for extremely negligent behavior. It is used by the judge to discourage the liable party and others from causing another harmful situation in the future.
Also Read: What To Do If You Have Been Involved In a Car Accident?
What should I do after tripping and getting injured?
Since tripping incidents are usually embarrassing, you may be tempted to exit the area immediately. Asking for help may not be your priority now. However, this is not a good idea. If you have been hurt, get medical treatment immediately. Take pics of the hazardous condition that made you lose balance. If you fall on business premises, report the incident to management and get a copy of the incident report. Furthermore, you should collect evidence like eyewitness statements and CCTV footage and contact a lawyer to guide you toward getting financial recovery.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
Unfortunately, corporate lawyers and insurance companies may use your statements among other things to reduce their liability in the incident. They may attempt to offer you an inadequate settlement amount or try to blame you for causing the incident to clear their reputable clients of responsibility. However, when you hire a skilled lawyer, he or she will handle all the shady tactics by these insurance companies, as you focus on healing. The legal expert will deal with corporations and property owners until they reimburse you fairly for losses. Your lawyer will factor in all the losses you’ve incurred, and ensure you get maximum financial recovery.
Also Read: What Rights Do Injured Workers Have Under the Workers’ Compensation Laws in Fort Lauderdale?
Conclusion
After a tripping incident, you may receive financial support for hospital and medical expenses, physical pain, or loss of income. You can also receive help for emotional distress, travel costs, and disability among others. You should hire a lawyer to get maximum financial reimbursement to cover all losses. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. A trusted legal team in your area will have your back.