5 Questions Your Slip and Fall Lawyer Will Ask You
A slip and fall accident requires prompt action to protect your legal rights following the incident. At Philly Slip and Fall Guys, our team can help you pursue fair compensation to cover damages like lingering pain and medical bills. We use a consultation to better understand your case and the potential courses of action. Here are five questions you may be asked in your initial consultation with a slip and fall lawyer:
1. What Happened?
The exact circumstances of an accident affect the type of compensation you are entitled to. Even when your own actions might have contributed to the fall, you could still qualify for damages. Pennsylvania law recognizes the legal principle of “comparative negligence.” This means that multiple parties can be assigned liability for an incident based on their determined level of fault.
Conditions also contribute to determining liability in a ground-level fall. A lack of upkeep during adverse weather can impact liability more than during fair weather. State law assigns legal responsibility in those scenarios when a property owner has had reasonable time to address weather-related hazards, such as clearing away snow and ice.
2. Who Was Injured?
Your lawyer needs to determine who sustained injuries in the accident to understand the scope of the case. This helps them focus their legal advice and guidance on the individual who was directly affected by the accident. Identifying the injured party also allows the lawyer to assess the extent of the damages suffered. They can inquire about the nature and severity of the injuries sustained, medical treatment received, and the impact of the injuries on the individual’s daily life and functioning. These factors enable the lawyer to estimate a fair compensation amount for each injured client.
3. Who Owns the Property?
Knowing who owns the property where the slip and fall accident occurred is key for determining potential liability. Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe, even when occupied by renters or commercial tenants. Property managers and maintenance workers may also be liable for a slip and fall incident. By identifying the property owner, the lawyer can assess whether they fulfilled this duty of care and whether their negligence contributed to the accident.
4. Why Were You There?
Property owners assume a “duty of care” for those who come on their lands. Non-owners found on a property generally fall into three categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Property owners have a duty to invitees and licensees to warn them of any known dangers and actively work to eliminate such risks.
A lesser duty is owed to trespassers. The law requires that a property owner avoid purposeful harm to trespassers. One exception may be where the property owner is aware of the trespassers yet tolerates their presence. Children can also be an exception to this rule.
5. How Badly Were You Hurt?
Medical expenses often accompany slip and fall accidents. You may sustain injuries from the incident itself or have pain that surfaces later. Prepare to share any details a doctor has given you immediately after your fall, including medical bills and documentation describing your injuries. Other financial issues can also result from a fall, such as lost wages and therapy costs. By asking about the severity of the injuries, your slip and fall lawyer can evaluate the impact of the accident. This includes reviewing how it affected your physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
Working With Your Slip and Fall Lawyer
Answering these questions for your slip and fall lawyer can help you pursue adequate compensation, account for lost wages, and recover from the incident. Start the legal process with an initial consultation promptly after your accident. Contact the Philly Slip and Fall Guys today to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.
