If you slip and fall on an unseen hazard, the results can be unexpectedly destructive. The rush of adrenaline after a fall can sometimes mask the effect of some of the injuries, so it is wise for anyone injured in a slip and fall incident in New Port Richey to receive a thorough medical examination.
A New Port Richey slip and fall lawyer could analyze the circumstances of your case to determine whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer who understands the local courts could help you pursue a full and fair recovery.
Prompt Action Could Make All the Difference
After suffering an injury, it is natural to focus on health issues. However, it is wise to give some thought to the future as well. The injuries from the fall can create costly medical bills at a time when the victim is unable to work. These expenses can add financial stress to an already difficult time.
Fortunately, if another person’s negligence caused the slip and fall, then the responsible person may be required to compensate the victim. To recover payment, however, the injured individual will need evidence.
The best time to collect evidence is right after the slip and fall incident. There may be video footage showing the fall, but unless someone acts to preserve that footage, it could be erased. Witnesses may have seen the fall, but they can become more difficult to locate as time passes. It is helpful to take pictures of the site of the fall, but the appearance of the site could change. A New Port Richey slip and fall lawyer could work quickly to preserve evidence for use in settlement negotiations or trial.
In addition, an attorney could help keep up with deadlines, including the statute of limitations. Fla. Stat. §95.11(3) specifies that personal injury claims must be filed within four years of the incident causing the harm.
Recoverable Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries
When a slip and fall lawyer in New Port Richey is able to demonstrate that another person is responsible for the accident, the injured person may be entitled to receive compensation to offset different effects of the fall. This compensation is known as “damages.”
Regardless of whether a case settles out of court or proceeds to trial, someone injured in a slip and fall incident may receive damages to compensate them for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Medical costs
- Lost wages due to time off work
- Future medical needs
If the injured person’s own conduct contributed to the cause of the fall, it could reduce the amount of compensation they receive. For instance, if a court determines that a fall is 90 percent due to a loose handrail on a staircase and ten percent due to the victim’s haste in hurrying down the stairs, then the amount received as compensation would be reduced by ten percent.
Consult a New Port Richey Slip and Fall Attorney
It can be difficult to focus on recovery if insurance companies are hounding you to answer questions or accept a settlement offer. Investigators may try to trick injured individuals into making statements against their own interest.
Therefore, it is wise to begin working with a New Port Richey slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney could handle the questions and legal issues to allow you to focus on your health. To learn what may be possible in your case, call now for a free consultation.