The majority of slip and fall cases settle out of court. Approximately five percent of slip and fall cases go to trial. The cases that do go to trial are usually lawsuits for significant amounts of money or catastrophic injuries. Generally, insurance companies prefer to settle out of court to avoid the expense of paying attorneys. In most cases, the injured party prefers to receive compensation before trial. If the slip and fall is the fault of someone else, the injured party can counter with a better settlement.
Thankfully, most slip and fall cases settle out of court. This is largely due to the fact that courts do not have the resources to litigate every case. In addition, many insurance companies have an interest in settling slip and fall cases quickly and cheaply. So, courts encourage the parties to settle outside of court and may even order them to do so. Moreover, the parties in the slip and fall cases can decide how much compensation they want to receive by negotiating informally.
The length of time a slip and fall case can take to resolve varies. Some slip and fall cases settle before trial, while others may take months or even years to resolve. Typically, settlement negotiations will begin six to twelve months after the accident. Once the parties have time to gather medical records, lawyers will make offers and counteroffers. Once the case is settled, the plaintiff will receive their judgment.
After the slip and fall accident, you will need to find a lawyer. A personal injury attorney will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and collect evidence. A wet supermarket floor or walkway would quickly wipe out any evidence of the accident. Property owners have the right to clean up their property. In some cases, however, they will choose to settle out of court. It is still best to retain the services of a personal injury attorney if you are unsure about how to proceed with the case.
The most common type of damages in a slip and fall case is medical bills. These types of damages are easier to calculate because the injured party can prove they have paid for their medical bills. Damages for future medical expenses are more complex, as they are often associated with ongoing or long-term treatment. So, the amount of compensation you can receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how long you are unable to work.
The majority of slip and fall cases in New York City settle out of court. If they do not settle out of court, they may take several months or even years to resolve. Most slip and fall cases settle out of court, but the exact amount of time depends on the circumstances of the accident and the insurance company. During your free consultation with a qualified attorney, you will be provided with information about your rights and options.
In Pennsylvania, compensation amounts are reduced based on the proportion of fault attributed to the plaintiff. If the plaintiff was 99% at fault, she may receive no compensation. However, if the accident was the fault of the property owner, she will still receive some compensation despite having been partially at fault. In this scenario, the property owner may be able to afford a higher settlement value than a private homeowner.
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall injury lawsuit is three years after the incident occurred. This clock begins ticking the day after the accident, and if you miss this deadline, you may have trouble collecting evidence or obtaining a fair settlement. This is a common problem, but a slip and fall attorney can make the situation easier for you. The sooner you file, the better.
A slip and fall lawsuit is often the result of carelessness on the part of a property owner. As such, the property owner may be able to show that the plaintiff was negligent at the time of the fall. This will reduce the amount of compensation you can receive and allow the property owner to walk away free of responsibility. In rare cases, however, a slip and fall lawsuit can go to trial if the property owner is found guilty of negligence.
