Slip and fall accidents happen in a split second, but can instantly transform your life. Whether you fall at work or in a privately owned establishment, these accidents can leave you with significant injury and lasting trauma.
When you fall as a result of someone else’s failure to maintain safe conditions on their property, you may be left with mounting medical bills and other unexpected financial costs. How can you pursue just compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve endured?
A slip and fall lawyer in Terre Haute can advise you on filing a legal claim, guide you on the path to justice and the compensation you may deserve, and fight on your behalf.
- What you need to know about slip and falls in Indiana
- Why you should hire a slip and fall lawyer in Terre Haute
- How Yosha Law can help
- Slip and fall compensatory damages in Terre Haute
- Contact Yosha Law
What you need to know about slip and falls in Indiana
Nationwide, slip and falls occur frequently and are the leading cause of missed work. Annually, over 6.8 million people are hurt in slip and fall accidents. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall accidents can result in severe injury or even fatality.
In Terre Haute and throughout Indiana, falls stand as the leading cause of death for adults 65 and older. If another party is liable for your slip and fall, a lawyer may be able to help you pursue legal recourse.
What is premises liability?
Slip and fall cases often include evidence of premises liability. Legally, this term refers to accidents that occur as a result of hazardous or otherwise unsafe conditions on privately or government-owned property.
A valid slip and fall claim includes evidence that the conditions of a property led to an accident. If a property owner holds premises liability in your case, you can pursue an insurance claim or even a personal injury lawsuit.
The legal definition of a slip and fall
Many accidents can be considered slip and falls. However, the legal definition of a slip and fall accident under personal injury law refers to falls that occur on someone else’s property.
If a fall results in emotional trauma or physical pain and suffering, you might choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. A slip and fall attorney in Terre Haute can help you understand the merits of your claim and explore the premises liability that contributed to your accident.
Common injuries in a slip and fall
Falls can result in a wide array of injuries. However, slip and fall lawyers in Terre Haute see some common injuries with their clients. Here are some of the injuries that may be the result of these accidents:
- Bone fractures
- Catastrophic injury
- Emotional trauma
- Eye injury
- Facial injury
- Hematomas
- Ligament or muscle tear
- Neck injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal injury
- Sprains
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Common causes of slip and falls in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, property owners have a mandated duty of care to provide safe conditions for visitors. From maintenance to safety measures, business, and residential property owners must manage the upkeep of their properties. Unfortunately, the failure to maintain safe property conditions is the main cause of slip and fall accidents.
Here are some of the most common causes of slip and falls:
- Broken furniture
- Broken roofing
- Broken stairs
- Dimly lit or unlit areas
- Exposed wiring
- Failure to maintain building and safety codes
- Falling ceilings
- Icy or wet walkways
- Surface potholes and cracks
- Uneven or loose carpet, flooring, and walkways
- Unmarked holes on property
- Wet or slick floors
Why you should hire a slip and fall lawyer in Terre Haute
Proving liability in a slip and fall case can be complex. Although you can choose to pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your own, it may be difficult to prove your claim without legal help.
Insurance companies may try to quickly settle and offer you low compensation, or even deny your claim. These companies have large legal departments that can make it difficult for someone with little legal knowledge to receive the compensatory amount they deserve.
A slip and fall lawyer in Terre Haute can help you strengthen your personal injury claim, guide you through the legal process, and negotiate with the insurance companies. If you choose to file a lawsuit, an attorney can take care of court filings and fight for your just compensation.
How Yosha Law can help
Yosha Law slip and fall attorneys in Terre Haute understand the trauma and added stress an accident can cause, and can support you on your road to recovery. We know how to cut through insurance company red tape and how to handle the nuances of the legal process.
Monetary compensation may not recoup all of the losses your slip and fall caused, but it can relieve the burden of unexpected financial costs. We’ll communicate with you through every step of your case, and collaborate with you on the best course of action.
Our lawyers can also do the following:
- Calculate damages:
In personal injury law, compensation is based on claimed damages. Damages fall under three categories — economic, non-economic, and punitive — and represent the specific quantifiable and immeasurable losses incurred after your slip and fall.
We’ll calculate your damages to a general financial amount to seek in your case, and help you to determine which damages to claim.
- Collect evidence:
We’ll gather evidence from the scene of your slip and fall, including the property’s building and safety code history, photos, and videos. We’ll also collect any pertinent evidence that can help prove liability and damages, including incident or police reports, and medical bills.
- Fight for you in court:
Most personal injury lawsuits are settled before they reach the courts. Nevertheless, if you choose to present your case before a judge or jury, we’ll passionately fight for the justice you deserve.
- Manage court filings:
Slip and fall insurance claims and lawsuits involve a large amount of time-sensitive documents and court filings. We’ll efficiently manage each filing for you so that you can focus on your recovery.
- Obtain eyewitness and forensic expert testimony:
We’ll interview anyone who witnessed your slip and fall accident and loved ones or coworkers who can testify to the impact of your slip and fall on your daily life.
We may also call on forensic experts, like accident reconstructionists, building contractors, and safety experts who can offer credible insight about your slip and fall.
- Represent you in negotiations:
Slip and fall claims often require numerous settlement negotiation meetings with both insurance companies and opposing counsel in your case. We will never accept settlement terms without your approval, and we’ll passionately represent your best interests in all negotiations.
Slip and fall compensatory damages in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, slip and fall claims may include all three categories of damages. It’s important to know what each category represents. Let’s take a look.
Economic damages
Economic damages, also known as special damages, cover losses with a set monetary value and directly point to quantifiable financial loss after a slip and fall. For example, property damage is considered an economic damage.
Economic damages may also include:
- Lost wages:
Lost wages can include bonuses, paid time off, promotions, and tips you did not receive because you had to take time off of work after your slip and fall. If these losses can be verified, you might receive compensation.
- Medical expenses:
All past, present, and future medical bills that you may have as a result of your accident may be covered under economic damages. This includes appointments, emergency room or urgent care visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and more.
- Repair and transportation costs:
If your personal property was damaged as a result of your slip and fall, you might claim repair costs under economic damages. Similarly, if you have to pay for public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxi services, you might seek compensation for these costs.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, cover immeasurable losses after a slip and fall. For example, if a loved one dies as a result of a slip and fall accident, no monetary amount can cover the loss. However, you can still seek wrongful death compensation for this non-economic loss.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Chronic pain:
If the injuries from your slip and fall result in long-term, chronic pain, you may claim this as a non-economic damage.
- Emotional trauma:
A post- slip and fall diagnosis of depression, insomnia, anxiety, insomnia, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could be considered a non-economic damage.
- Loss of quality of life:
If you can provide evidence that your accident has temporarily or permanently diminished your quality of life, you might claim this non-economic damage.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages are considered in a slip and fall case that involves a defendant’s gross negligence. Punitive damages may be included in a claim, but more frequently, a judge or jury determines these damages as additional punishment after a monetary award.
For example, if a broken, unsafe staircase leads to your slip and fall, and the owner has failed to repair the stairs after multiple citations, you may be awarded punitive damages.
Indiana law allocates 25% of a punitive damages award to be given to the plaintiff, and the Indiana Violent Crimes Victim Compensation Fund automatically receives the remaining 75%.
Contact Yosha Law
At Yosha Law, we understand that every slip and fall experience is different. We care about the trauma you’ve endured and are dedicated to supporting your fight for justice. Our clients aren’t just case numbers to us — they become extended members of our family.
Our slip and fall attorneys in Terre Haute will stand in your corner and help you navigate through the aftermath of your accident.
Contact a slip and fall lawyer in Terre Haute for a free case evaluation.
