When you get hurt in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you could be owed compensation. If a property owner was negligent, you can show how that negligence led to your accident and your injuries. Unfortunately, some victims make mistakes that harm their case before it even begins. A Prince George’s County slip and fall lawyer from our firm can tell you more about what you should avoid doing.
What Can Cause a Slip and Fall Accident?
All kinds of hazards can cause a slip and fall accident. If you are a property owner and you invite other people onto your property, you owe them a duty of care and you should be making sure that your property is free of dangers that can cause falls. Common culprits include:
- Wet floors
- Damaged concrete on walkways or in parking lots
- Stairs without handrails
- Poor lighting
- Damaged flooring
- Cords or wires
When Can I Sue For a Slip and Fall Accident?
Sometimes accidents happen despite a property owner’s best efforts to keep things safe. We’re not talking about accidents like that. When a property owner knows that there is a hazard and does nothing to address it, that is when a victim should sue for damages. Whether you were hurt in a grocery store or at someone’s private residence, you may have a case.
What Shouldn’t I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you plan to sue for damages, you need to avoid kneecapping your case before it even gets off the ground. That means avoiding costly mistakes like:
- Talking to insurance companies on your own
- Quickly leaving the scene of an accident
- Acting like your injuries are not that serious
- Making statements that could imply that you were at fault
- Not getting medical care right away
Making these mistakes can make it harder to build a compelling personal injury case.
What Should I Do After a Fall?
There are also some steps that you can take to build up your case and potentially make it easier to secure compensation. We recommend that slip and fall accident victims:
- Take photos of the accident scene and hazard
- Fill out an incident report and get a copy of their own
- Talk to witnesses and get contact information
- Get medical care right away
- Document everything
- Talk to an attorney
What Kinds of Damages Can I Win?
When you get hurt in a slip and fall accident, you’re likely to end up with a pile of medical bills. If your injuries are serious, you could be looking at months of recovery time and more and more expenses. Your compensation can help make up for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Talk to Our Legal Team
When you are ready to learn more about your legal options, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. to schedule a consultation. There is no obligation, so take the time to meet with our experienced team. We’re ready to help you fight for fair compensation.
