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5 Mistakes To Avoid After Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any given moment. Unfortunately, the injuries can be severe, and the recovery process can take quite some time. For this reason, it's crucial to be aware of potential mistakes that can significantly impact your ability to receive compensation if you've been injured due to someone else's negligence. Consulting with a slip and fall accident lawyer will help you understand how compensation for slip and fall cases works and, ultimately, allow you to receive the medical care and attention needed without having to worry about money. In this article, we will highlight five mistakes to avoid, offering insights into how to protect your rights and increase your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. But before discussing slip and fall compensation amounts, let's briefly examine a few common causes of slip and fall accidents.
Common Cause of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents occur all the time—indoors, outdoors, on the job, in your own home, or even someone else's. If you believe you've been injured due to someone else's carelessness, seek legal advice as soon as possible. Here are some of the most common ways slip and fall accidents can occur:
- Wet or slippery surfaces
- Uneven or damaged flooring
- Lack of warning signs
- Negligence in property maintenance
Awareness of these common causes can help individuals and property owners take preventive measures to minimize the risk of slip and fall accidents. Property owners, in particular, should maintain safe premises and address potential hazards promptly to ensure the well-being of those on their property.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid After a Slip and Fall
The two most important things to remember after suffering an injury after a slip and fall accident are to seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor, and to speak with a local personal injury attorney. Compensation for slip and fall cases can ensure you recover damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, but the following mistakes must be avoided:
- Failing to document the scene or gather enough evidence. Take photos of the area, including any hazards and your injuries. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses and evidence, such as surveillance footage or any other relevant documentation that could support your case.
- Neglecting to report the accident. Make sure an incident report is filed with the property manager or owner, and obtain a copy for your records.
- Discussing the incident. This includes accepting fault; anything you say can be used against you, so refrain from posting about the accident on social media.
- Accepting an early settlement. Insurance companies may offer quick settlements, possibly even lower than average slip and fall settlement amounts. The full extent of your injuries and damages must be properly assessed before accepting any offer.
- Not following medical advice. Courts may view failure to follow prescribed medical treatments as negligence on the part of the injured party, potentially impacting the amount of compensation awarded.
Keep in mind your slip and fall accident compensation can be compromised if you play the hero and downplay your injuries. For example, if you slip and fall in a grocery store due to a wet surface, don't tell the manager you're okay. Injuries can manifest hours after the incident, and the insurance adjuster might argue you were perfectly fine and walked out of the store with no complaints. Additionally, as mentioned in our third point, don't admit fault and accidentally say you were careless and didn't notice the wet floor sign. Just because there was a sign doesn't mean you're 100% at fault. To learn more about California slip and fall laws contact an established California law firm specializing in slip and fall cases, as they can help you navigate the details of your case.
Do You Need Legal Advice?
If you've sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident and need legal advice, consult with a Studio City personal injury attorney at Yepremyan Law Firm. With 24/7 support, we offer free case evaluations to help you explore your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you’re owed. Our firm works on a contingency basis for all personal injury matters—no recovery, no fee.
*No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. These materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal advice pertaining to any particular legal matter. Use of and access to this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and Yepremyan Law Firm and any of its attorneys, employees, or associates.
