Common Mistakes During A Slip And Fall Claim

The snowy winters in Minnesota mean that it’s also a time when slip and fall claims tend to rise throughout the state. People are slipping on icy sidewalks and parking lots, and melting snow is making for slick spots in many business entryways. Even if you’re careful, one wrong step can land you in the emergency room seeking treatment, and those medical bills can add up in a hurry. If you take a misstep that results in a slip and fall injury, make sure you don’t make another during the claims process. Below, we take a closer look at common mistakes made during a slip and fall claim so that you don’t accidentally tank your case.

Avoid These Mistakes During A Slip And Fall Claim

Here’s a look at some of the more common mistakes people make during their pursuit for compensation after a slip and fall accident.

1. Not Hiring A Lawyer – We don’t mean to sound self-serving, but pursuing an injury award on your own without a professional in your corner is a terrible move. You may be able to win your lawsuit, but by doing so you may leave tens of thousands of dollars or more on the table. A lawyer will cost money, but they will almost assuredly pay for their services and more by being able to get you a much larger payout.

2. Not Getting A Medical Exam – You may be a little embarrassed of your slip and fall accident, but don’t just try to walk it off and hope the pain goes away on its own. If you don’t seek prompt medical treatment, the other side may argue that you are overstating the extent of your injuries given the fact that you did not think they were serious enough to seek medical care right away. They may also argue that your injuries actually resulted from another incident if you wait days or weeks to be seen by a physician. Get seen by a specialist soon after your accident.

3. Oversharing On Social Media – Avoid talking about your injury case on social media. Anything you say online, even if it’s on your personal social profiles, can be used against you during the claims process. Don’t talk about the case online, and consider how anything you post could be viewed by the other side. For example, pictures of you downhill skiing a week after your accident won’t help your claim that you suffered significant injuries during your slip and fall.

4. Jumping On The First Offer – Most people are in a hurry to wrap up their case and move on with their life, but that doesn’t mean they should accept a low-ball offer. If you take the first offer, only do so after it has been carefully reviewed by your lawyer. In our experience, we can usually always get more than the initial offer by putting forth a strong case that lays out what we believe to be a fair settlement sum. If you jump on the first offer, know that you’re likely leaving money on the table.

5. Not Telling The Truth – Don’t hide details about your accident, because if they come out, they can sink your case. Even if you were texting or weren’t paying attention at the time of the slip and fall accident, you still may be able to collect damages. But if you lie about the incident and a witness or video evidence refutes your claim, the whole case might be thrown out. Be completely honest with your lawyer and let them work their magic to ensure you get every penny you’re entitled to receive.

For more information or for help with your slip and fall claim, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today.