Trip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries. Broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons, concussions, and other types of traumatic injuries are all common.
While it might seem like there is nothing you can do to recover your losses, it is possible to obtain financial compensation in many cases. A trip and fall lawyer can explain your legal rights and pursue recovery of the damages you have sustained.
5 Important Reasons to Hire a Trip and Fall Lawyer
After a trip and fall accident, there are several ways a lawyer can help you. Here are five important reasons why you should hire a trip and fall lawyer:
1. You Could Be Facing Significant and Long-Term Financial Costs
If you were injured when you fell, the costs of your fall could be significant. Medical care can be incredibly expensive. Even if you have health insurance, your coverage won’t necessarily be enough to cover your long-term needs.
If your injuries put you out of work, this will add to your financial losses as well. Being unable to work for any length of time could put your financial stability in jeopardy.
After suffering injuries in a trip and fall accident, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of your diagnosis, your doctor’s treatment recommendations, and your prognosis. You need to know your long-term needs so you can plan accordingly. If you have a claim for compensation, obtaining a prompt diagnosis and following your doctor’s treatment recommendations will also be important for your financial recovery.
2. Traumatic Injuries Can Also Have Lasting Non-Financial Effects
Beyond the financial costs of medical treatment and lost time at work, traumatic injuries can also have a multitude of non-financial effects long-term. These effects may include pain, suffering, anxiety, depression, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you have a claim for financial compensation, you can recover damages for these losses as well. However, you will need an experienced trip and fall lawyer on your side.
3. Property Owners and Tenants Are Often Liable for Trip and Fall Accidents
Many trip and fall accidents are the result of dangerous conditions on a property. Sidewalk cracks, torn carpet, uneven flooring surfaces, unmarked steps and curbs, merchandise in store aisles, medical equipment in hospital and nursing home hallways, and numerous other hazards can cause accidents resulting in severe traumatic injuries.
If you tripped and fell because of a hazard on someone else’s property, the owner or tenant may be liable under California law. Homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and commercial liability insurance policies all provide coverage for trip and fall accidents. So, if you have a claim, recovering your losses will most likely involve negotiating a settlement with the insurance carrier for the owner or tenant.
4. Proving Liability Requires a Prompt and Thorough Investigation
To determine if the property owner or tenant is liable for your injuries, it will be necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the trip and fall accident. This is not something you should try to do on your own. Not only can it be challenging (and potentially dangerous) trying to visit the property yourself, but any available evidence must be collected in a way that preserves its admissibility in court.
A trip and fall lawyer will be able to conduct a thorough investigation and preserve the available evidence. Your lawyer will also be able to deal with any issues involving the property owner or tenant, as well as the insurance company.
5. A Trip and Fall Lawyer Can Fight for Fair Compensation on Your Behalf
If the property owner or tenant is liable for your losses, you could be entitled to a significant financial recovery. In addition to gathering the evidence needed to prove liability, your lawyer can also gather the evidence needed to prove how much you are entitled to recover.
Contact a Trip and Fall Lawyer Today
Ultimately, one of the biggest advantages of having legal representation on your side is the guidance your attorney can provide. Your lawyer can help you take the right steps and avoid costly mistakes, as well as put their experience to work for you.
Attorney Mickey Fine has extensive experience representing clients in trip and fall cases and many other premises liability claims. If you have been injured on a dangerous property, the Law Offices of Mickey Fine can help you protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Please call (661) 333-3333 today for a free consultation. Our trip and fall lawyer serves clients in Bakersfield and nearby areas of California.