Portland | Slip and Fall Lawyers

Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Serious

In many instances, the consequences of a slip and fall accident can be severe. Even a fall that seems trivial at the time may lead to long-term health issues and significant medical expenses. Quite often, those who experience such accidents can require extensive rehab, physical therapy, or even surgical procedures. Furthermore, some slip and fall incidents can result in critical head injuries that might have life altering consequences.

If you have been severely injured in such an accident, it is imperative to seek immediate medical care. It is always better to err on the side of caution with such injuries. Additionally, it is often not advisable to handle the post-accident legalities single-handedly. You’ll benefit from the representation of a seasoned Portland slip and fall lawyer who can protect your rights and help you secure the best possible compensation for your injuries.

A Portland Slip and Fall Lawyer at The Advocates Can Help

Choosing an experienced slip and fall lawyer from The Advocates can make all the difference in your claim. With skilled representation, you’ll have someone who can handle the insurance company and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. If an incident such as slipping on a store’s wet floor has resulted in injury, the store’s insurance may be held accountable if they failed to issue adequate warnings. Without a competent lawyer specializing in slip and fall cases, you may find yourself at a disadvantage against an insurance company’s formidable legal arsenal. More often than not, representing yourself results in inferior settlement offers.

Uncovering liability is often the most challenging part of a slip and fall case. An example is slipping on an icy sidewalk. If said sidewalk is adjacent to a private property, the property owner might be liable as many municipalities compel homeowners to either clear or de-ice their sidewalks. Legislation in these areas usually places the burden of slip and fall incidents due to uncleared sidewalks squarely on the property or business owner.

If liability isn’t clear, an experienced Portland slip and fall lawyer can assist you in identifying who should be held accountable for your accident. If your injury took place in a public space, for instance, a park or over a damaged pavement, the city might be the responsible party. However, these cases can often be complex. For instance, if a property owner neglected to alert the city about a damaged sidewalk, they may share responsibility. Many slip and fall cases occur due to lackadaisical maintenance by the property owner or a negligent approach to customer safety by businesses. These injuries can be severe, and in extreme cases, potentially fatal. Slip and fall accidents can also lead to financial hardship, with medical bills exceeding thousands of dollars and significant lost income due to time off work.

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!

With any significant injury there are likely to be medical bills. Having a firm capable of guiding you through the billing process can go a long way in alleviating stress and allowing for a faster recovery. Here are the most commonly asked questions relating to personal injury billing:

How does the billing process work?

There are four things we look for when it comes to handling your medical bills. The first thing we will check is whether you carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your auto insurance. If you have PIP, then it will start paying your medical bills as you incur them.

If you do not have PIP, we can bill to your health insurance, but you might be on the hook for your deductible or copays.

If you do not have PIP or health insurance, you can always pay out of pocket.

Lastly, for those who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, we are sometimes able to get providers to put bills on hold and delay payment until the end of your case.

Once you’ve retained an attorney, your team will assist with billing and advise you on your best options for taking care of your bills.

What if you can’t afford treatment?

As treatment is very important for your recovery after an accident, some medical providers may offer to treat you on a lien. A lien is an agreement between you and your medical provider that allows you to delay payment until your case is settled.

Not all medical providers will provide this service, so be sure to consult with your attorney first.

Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!

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.