Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Serious

Slip and fall injuries can be as minor as a bruise or a scraped knee. In some cases, though, they can end up being far more serious, causing chronic health problems and leaving behind mountains of medical bills. Slip and fall accident victims frequently suffer disabling injuries that require rehab, physical therapy, or surgery. Some slip and fall accidents can even cause traumatic head injuries that could very well be life-threatening. If you have been seriously hurt in a slip and fall accident, you should seek out medical attention immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to such injuries. Nor should you try to navigate the legal system afterwards alone. You need an experienced slip and fall lawyer to represent your best interests and to help you receive the maximum settlement from your case.

The Advocates Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys Can Help You

Hiring a skilled slip and fall lawyer is the best way to help you win your claim against the liable party’s insurance company. If your slip and fall injury happened in a business, such as the wet floor of a supermarket, then their insurance policy could be responsible if warning signs were not properly posted. Without a good slip and fall attorney on your side, an insurance company can overwhelm you with their high-priced legal team. Nine out of ten times you will receive less money if you try to settle your case on your own.

The most difficult aspect about slip and fall injury cases is establishing who the responsible party is for the injuries suffered. A slip and fall injury on an icy sidewalk is a good example. If the sidewalk is in front of a private residence, the homeowner could be held responsible because many cities require homeowners to either shovel or salt these sidewalks. Those same laws specifically designate the home or business owner as responsible for any slip and fall injuries caused by untreated sidewalks.

If you don’t know who is liable, our slip and fall accident attorneys will help you figure out who is liable for your accident. If the slip and fall injury occurs in a public area, such as a park or on a cracked or broken sidewalk, the city could be found responsible. Such cases, however, are not always so straightforward. For example, if the homeowner failed to notify the city about the cracked sidewalk, the homeowner may still be partially responsible. In many cases, a slip and fall injury happens because a property owner did not properly care for the property, or a business owner did not take the needed steps to protect its customers. A slip and fall injury can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries as well as long-term financial loss. You could end up with thousands of dollars of debt from medical bills and hundreds of hours of lost wages all because of a slip and fall injury.

Common Slip and Fall Questions

How large of a settlement should I receive for my slip and fall accident?

Depending on where your slip and fall occurred and the severity of your injuries, you can expect your settlement to be anywhere from a few thousand dollars all the way up to 6-figures. Slip and fall personal injury claims are notoriously difficult to assess the value of since there are so many different factors involved. If you’re the victim of a slip and fall accident, contact The Advocates today for a free case evaluation. We’ll help you figure out how much compensation you are owed.

What evidence is required to prove a slip and fall accident case?

The best evidence for a slip and fall case is almost certainly video footage of the actual accident. If video footage is impossible to obtain then witness testimony is the next best thing. Comprehensive medical records detailing your injuries in full can also greatly help your case. Photos of your injuries, too, can be helpful, as are photographs of the scene, especially if they show that there were no posted warning signs.

How long does a slip and fall accident case take?

The average personal injury claim takes anywhere from 4 months to several years to settle. The duration depends on whether your case goes to court or not. If your case settles out of court, then the window of time will be short. But if both sides can’t reach a compromise then litigation will be required, and this can bog your case down for months, if not years.

Why should I hire an Advocate to represent my slip and fall accident case?

An attorney with the Advocates is more than a normal slip and fall accident lawyer. What separates the Advocates from other personal injury law firms is our dedication and determination to help our clients make the best recovery possible after they’ve fallen down and were injured by the negligence of another. We take pride in being a voice for our clients in a legal system that favors insurance providers over real people. Our attorneys are experts in Washington State slip and fall accident law and know how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses at the hands of another. Unlike other slip and fall accident attorneys, the Advocates will fight for your case until there are no other options. Where other law firms throw up their hands in defeat if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim, the Advocates will press on until there are no legal options remaining. We will take your case all the way to court in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Why settle for second best when an Advocate can take your case? Call our office today at (206) 452-4200 or chat online right now with a live attorney from our homepage. Your slip and fall accident claim deserves an Advocate!

Navigating the personal injury claims process can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about how personal injury cases typically unfold:

How long before you must decide whether to hire a lawyer?

In the state of Washington, the statute of limitations on a negligence claim is generally 3 years, with some minor exceptions. If you feel you need legal representation, we recommend securing an attorney as early as possible, since it can often be difficult to find representation when nearing the expiration of the statute of limitations.

What happens if you retain an attorney?

When retaining an attorney, you leave most of the work to your attorney and their team. We will first notify all involved parties (insurance carriers, medical providers, etc.) that we are representing you. We will make sure all your bills will be taken care of. Once your treatment is complete, we will begin working to get you a fair, reasonable bodily injury settlement. We take care of your case so you can concentrate on getting better!

Do you have to sue?

At The Advocates, we do our best to settle your accident claim fairly and equitably before resorting to filing a lawsuit. However, we will always do what’s best for you, to be sure you’re appropriately compensated for your injuries. This may include filing a suit or litigating your case if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair offer.

Will you have to go to trial?

Some cases do go as far as a trial, but not without exhaustive efforts by our firm to settle your case first. Your legal team will be in full communication with you through every step of your case. We will discuss your options with you as the case proceeds. In many instances, pushing for a trial when it’s in your best interest will lead to a higher settlement offer before the trial even starts.

Although it’s a last resort, going to trial is one of the best tools available when the insurance company refuses to do what’s right.

How long is the process going to take?

While you are still being treated, we usually don’t move your case toward the settlement process. This is to ensure your request for compensation includes all relevant medical treatments and that no additional or unexpected bills will arise after closing out your injury claim. Once your treatment is complete, we can then start moving your case forward.

Once care is complete, we begin gathering information such as medical bills and medical records, which can take around 8-12 weeks. Once the information is forwarded to the insurance company for settlement purposes, your case may be completed in 60-90 days. However, it can take much longer if litigation is needed.

Your attorney will be in direct contact with you throughout the settlement process to discuss offers and recommendations.

What if you need money now?

We know sustaining injuries in an accident can come with considerable financial ramifications. If you need money urgently before your claim is settled, there are legal loans that can be taken against your future settlement. However, these loans typically come with significant penalties and high interest rates, so we tend to discourage our clients from taking them. Because everyone’s circumstances are unique, we are happy to discuss your options with you should the need arise.

Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!

When seeking assistance with handling your injury claim, there are several commonly asked questions about hiring a personal injury lawyer. Here’s a brief rundown of what it is likely to cost, whether you should hire an attorney, and what separates a skilled personal injury lawyer from the rest of the field:

How much will it cost to hire a lawyer?

There is almost never any up-front cost to hire a personal injury lawyer. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. When we recover a settlement for you, we retain 1/3 of the total amount as our fee. If we have to file suit, the fee goes up to 40%.

In almost all instances, we only retain clients when we believe we’ll be able to add value to their injury claim. If it’s a straightforward matter and injuries are minor or nonexistent, we’ll typically suggest that you try to work with the insurance company directly. For more complex matters, injured parties tend to receive 350% more in total compensation when represented by an attorney than when handling their claim independently.

Since consultations are always free, it’s beneficial to talk with an attorney as early as possible to determine the best course of action for your circumstances.

Do you have to pay anything out of pocket?

We do everything we can to help you avoid paying out of pocket. We will check for any medical coverage (i.e., PIP and MedPay) available on either your own policy or the other party’s insurance. If that is not an option, or becomes exhausted, we will move to your personal health insurance. If copays and deductibles become an issue, we will work with your medical providers directly to do everything we can to get those balances held until settlement. If there is no medical coverage and no health insurance, we will find providers who will treat you on a lien and hold all costs until settlement.

While we can’t guarantee that there will be zero out-of-pocket expenses, we will do everything we can to find a solution.

What should you look for when hiring a personal injury attorney?

When looking for a personal injury attorney, you should look for someone with a history of success, a team well-versed in how the claims process works, and a serious litigation team that’s willing to push the insurance company when necessary.

By selecting a firm that’s not afraid to litigate, you guarantee the insurance company takes you seriously from the start. This increases your chances of obtaining a favorable result early in the process.

Are there instances where hiring a lawyer is a bad idea?

In situations where there are little to no injuries, it may be beneficial to handle your claim on your own. Similarly, property damage claims tend to be relatively straightforward, and attorneys are frequently unable to add sufficient value to your claim.

Fortunately, consultations are always free, and you can speak with an Advocate to determine whether hiring an attorney is likely to increase your total settlement.

What will my attorney expect from me during the process?

During this process, your attorney will expect you to follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, be honest about your injuries, and be open to the advice and suggestions your attorney gives you. We’re on the same team and your best interests are always our number one priority.