If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall, you may be entitled to seek compensation. In order to do that, however, you need to prove damages for a slip and fall accident.
Often this is a multi-step process. You need to have bills that show your medical costs. You need to show that the property owner was negligent and that this negligence caused you or your loved one harm. You may even need the testimony of medical experts who can talk about your future health care costs stemming from this accident.
Proving Damages with a Lawyer’s Help
Proving that you may be owed damages in a slip and fall accident requires two things. First, you have to show that the owner of the property where you suffered harm was negligent. You then need to present evidence that this fall caused you harm.
Showing Negligence
In most cases, if you were invited onto a property, you are owed what’s known as a “duty of care.” Essentially, if someone invites you into their home or place of business, the expectation for you as the invitee is that the area is safe. If there are hazards or anything that can cause you harm, that could be seen as negligence on the part of the property owner.
A property owner that knows that there is a slipping or tripping hazard and does not fix it could be held liable for their negligence. Evidence of negligence could include eyewitness testimony, a history of safety issues at the establishment, or anything else that shows the property owner could have fixed the problem or was warned of the danger and did not act.
Presenting Evidence of the Harm Caused
If you have shown that the property owner was negligent, you then have to show that their negligence caused you harm. Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, fractures, and even traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a major cause of TBIs.
Evidence of harm that you endured could include:
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Testimony by medical professionals
- Autopsy reports
- Evidence of lost wages
We will also need to link your losses to the negligence of the property owner. We can gather the necessary evidence to make this link.
What Your Compensation Could Cover
If you decide to pursue a personal injury case, your compensation could cover all of the costs that have resulted from your slip and fall. This does not just include your current medical costs.
Your compensation could also be calculated with the following factors in mind:
- The cost of future care: If a slip and fall accident leaves you with lasting injuries, your compensation could also help you cover the cost of that future care. You may have medical bills now, but if you will also need physical therapy or continued treatments later, that needs to be considered.
- Lost wages and earning potential: If you need to take time away from work while you recover from your injuries, that could mean lost paychecks and lost wages. Both lost wages and lost earning potential should be taken into account when fair compensation is calculated.
- Pain and suffering: Any other pain and suffering you have experienced or will experience as a result of these events can also be considered when compensation is awarded.
How a Lawyer from Our Team Could Help You Make a Strong Case By the Deadline
If you decide to pursue a personal injury case after your slip and fall accident, we can do a lot to help you and prove damages. We will:
- Consult medical experts about your injuries and their lasting effects
- Quickly file your case before the statute of limitations runs out
- Calculate fair compensation for you and your family
- Prove negligence and liability for the harm you suffered
- Gather and compile the evidence needed to show damages
- Handle all communications for you
- Argue your case in court if needed
- Ensure your case meets the deadline to file a lawsuit set in the statute of limitations, NRS §11.190(4)(e)
Learn More About Your Legal Options With One of Our Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a slip and fall accident, you may have legal options. High Stakes Injury Law can help you learn more when you call for a free consultation. Our partners have a combined 60+ years of experience that we can put to work for you.
Dial today and talk to a member of our staff to learn more about pursuing a personal injury case and proving damages for a slip and fall accident.