Do I Need a Lawyer For a Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and fall incidents are a very common form of accident in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that around 8 million people a year visit the emergency room due to slip and fall accidents, according to the NFSI. While there are some instances in which you may be able to handle your slip and fall claim on your own, detailed below, we find that it is always a good idea to at least speak with a reputable personal injury attorney to ensure you are protected.

At Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, we offer complimentary case evaluations directly with an experienced personal injury attorney. To speak with an attorney today, simply call our office at (803) 888-2200 or complete our secure online form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly. We look forward to helping you.

How an Attorney Can Help You After a Slip and Fall Accident

There are many benefits to hiring a slip and fall lawyer, especially if you got hurt. It’s important to note that most personal injury law firms, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no up-front costs or out-of-pocket fees associated with hiring our team. This allows you to get the legal help you need and deserve without having to worry about paying for an attorney.

The right slip and fall lawyer will help you and your case by:

1. Proving Fault

One of the most important parts of all personal injury claims is proving fault and negligence. Who may be held liable for a slip and fall accident can vary depending on where the incident occurred. For example, property managers, contractors, homeowners, HOAs, business owners, landlords, and even government entities may be held liable.

An experienced lawyer will gather evidence to prove negligence specific to your case by proving there was 1) a duty of care, 2) a breach of that duty, and 3) that the breach directly caused the accident and resulting damages. While this may seem simple, it can get complicated quickly, especially when multiple parties are involved.

2. Optimizing Your Slip and Fall Claim

Our personal injury lawyers will also fully optimize your claim by analyzing the accident report, identifying all sources of fault, obtaining and examining evidence such as security footage, getting witness testimony, and much more. 

Without an attorney on your side, it can be difficult to get your case taken seriously. Your lawyer will fight to ensure you get the entirety of what you deserve, and we won’t settle for less.

3. Valuing Your Damages

Without a lawyer on your side, it can be very difficult to understand how much compensation you truly deserve. For example, how do you value emotional damages or pain and suffering? Luckily, our team has the experience and resources necessary to do so.

Unfortunately, not understanding the value of your case often leads many people to accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many times, insurance companies offer much less than the true value of your case in hopes that you will accept the offer. Once you do so, you cannot go back and fight for more.

In short, an experienced lawyer will help you understand the true value of your case by taking into consideration all physical, financial, and emotional damages caused by the accident.

4. Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters have training designed to get you to admit full or partial fault in the accident, thus minimizing your pay out. In addition to this, many times they attempt to get you to miss the statute of limitations on your case by delaying the process. Luckily, having an experienced attorney on your side can make sure that you are being taken seriously and that you are getting what you deserve.

Many of our attorneys formerly worked for insurance companies, giving our team unique insights into how to successfully negotiate with insurance companies. With decades of experience handling personal injury and slip and fall claims, you can trust the team at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC will have your back during the negotiations process and beyond.

5. Fighting For You in Court

Should the insurance company refuse to come to a fair agreement, a lawyer will prepare your case for trial and fight for you in court. It’s important to make sure that your lawyer is willing and equipped to try your case should it get to that point. While many cases settle outside of court, it’s important that your lawyer is comfortable and willing to try a case. 

Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen

Ultimately, slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere. However, some common locations include:

• Grocery Stores
• Sidewalks
• Private Homes
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Malls
• Parking Lots
• Public or Private Stairs
• Workplaces
• Theaters
• Hotels/Resorts
• Parks
• Apartment Complexes
• Swimming Pools
• Nursing Homes
• Construction Sites
• And More.
  

If you or a loved one slipped and fell at one of these locations or somewhere else, we’re here to help you understand your options and what you may be entitled to.

Get Help With a Slip and Fall Case Today

If you have any questions on the content of this article or think you may have a case, we’re here to help. Simply reach out to our team today by calling (803) 888-2200. We are available via phone 24/7. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, you can trust that we have your back.

With offices in Columbia and Mount Pleasant, our lawyers travel to and represent clients throughout the state of South Carolina. If you are out of state, we’d be happy to refer you to another law firm. We look forward to hearing from you.

Legal Review By – Joe Thickens