A slip and fall accident victim can sustain very severe bodily injuries. Moreover, sometimes the victim may get obvious injuries like a fracture or lacerations. However, sometimes the initial effects of the incident may be too subtle to notice immediately, and they may eventually progress and become long-term complications. If you sustained long-term effects after an accident that was caused by someone who created hazardous conditions on a property, then you should seek legal guidance immediately. The first step to seeking legal guidance and assistance is to contact a slip and fall lawyer at Salamati Law in Los Angeles, CA to help you in the following ways.
Investigate the cause of the incident.
Many dangerous conditions exist in municipal, residential, and business properties and these hazardous conditions can cause injury. These hazardous conditions may include cracks on the floors, wet flooring, uneven surfaces on stairs, broken handrails on stairs, and potholes. Therefore, it is important to retain a legal representative who can identify the root cause of the unfortunate incident and who is responsible.
Identify the liable party.
An attorney can determine the party that has possession of the premises at the time of the incident. Most tripping incidents occur because the property owner or manager failed to properly maintain and monitor the premises, and also failed to warn visitors about the dangerous conditions on the premises. The legal expert will not only identify the party that should be held responsible for the incident but will also look for important evidence to support your case.
Calculate the settlement amount.
An experienced and skilled attorney will be able to use his or her expertise to calculate your current and future losses like lost wages and medical expenses. In addition, the legal expert will be able to calculate the monetary value of your non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Furthermore, your attorney will collect the necessary evidence to establish the amount of compensation you deserve. The details can be tedious to keep track of but that’s what a lawyer will be able to do for you.
Negotiate with the insurance company.
Since these incidents are covered by renter’s insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and business liability insurance, you will have to go against an insurance company when seeking monetary compensation for your losses. In most cases, the insurance company aims to pay the least amount of money to victims to avoid going at a loss. On the other hand, you need a settlement amount that can cover all your losses fully. In such a case, you need to work with a lawyer who can negotiate for the amount on your behalf and ensure you get a high settlement.
Represent you in court if necessary.
Many similar cases are often settled out of court. However, if the insurance company has refused to pay you a fair settlement, then you will need a litigator who can file a suit and represent you at trial. These can be tricky at times and that’s why it’s important to reach out to a skilled legal team. They will get all the facts sorted out as to why you aren’t getting the financial compensation you deserve. As frustrating as it can be, your lawyer will not stop the fight for you until the case is closed.
Conclusion
It is important to hire a legal representative who can investigate the cause of your incident. They will look over the details and understand how this could have happened. Identify the liable parties, such as a landlord or a property manager. Calculate the damages that were caused by this negligence. Negotiate the settlement amount with an insurance company and represent you at trial if necessary. With a skilled legal team, you won’t have to stress about the case and they will make sure you get justice.