If you have suffered an injury in a slip and fall because of the negligence of another party, you could be eligible for compensation under personal injury laws in Nevada. Filing a personal injury claim allows you to get reimbursement for all your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Also, you could be compensated for your pain and suffering. To make the most out of your claim, work with an experienced Ace Law Group injury attorney. Below are pieces of advice you may get from your attorney to protect your claim:
Never Admit Fault
To recover damages in a personal injury claim, you must prove the other party was responsible for your injuries. However, the state uses the modified comparative negligence rule if you share fault for the slip and fall accident. Under this rule, you can’t be compensated for damages if you are more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Also, your percentage of fault will dictate your final compensation if you are eligible for it. Admitting fault, even saying sorry for what happened or making comments that might imply your contribution to the accident, could reduce your possible compensation.
Preserve Evidence
Following a slip and fall accident, you may not be able to collect evidence due to your injuries. If this is the case, your attorney can gather the necessary evidence on your behalf. But if you can do so after the accident, try to take photos and videos of the accident area. The owner of the property could have the scene cleaned up or destroy evidence. It can also help to get statements from those who witnessed the slip and fall or get their names and contact information, so your attorney can reach out to them.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
No matter how you feel after a slip and fall, see a doctor as soon as possible. The insurer of the other party may assert that you failed to seek treatment since your injuries are not as serious as you claim. Also, the insurer might claim you failed to mitigate damages and use this as a reason to reduce your compensation.
Establish Liability
To have a strong slip and fall claim, prove the elements of negligence. You need to show the property owner owed you a duty of care but breached this duty. Also, you should prove this breach directly caused your injuries and that suffered damages as a result. Some of the pieces of evidence you need to strengthen your case include your medical records, eyewitness statements, accident reports, and expert witness testimony. Establishing and proving liability is challenging, so it is best to have your attorney handle this matter.
Document All Your Damages
After sustaining injuries in a slip and fall accident, you can also suffer economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage while non-economic damages include disfigurement and scarring, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Document all the damages you have suffered because of your slip and fall injuries. Take photos of your injuries while they heal and keep a diary or journal with information on your recovery including pain levels, tasks you can’t perform, and your mental state.
By documenting your damages, your attorney can correctly value them. Economic damages are actual losses and out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred due to the slip and fall, the injuries you suffered, and your recovery process. Also, you may be eligible for future damages if you suffered a permanent impairment. Meanwhile, non-economic damages refer to your pain and suffering due to the injuries. Their value depends on a lot of factors, but your attorney knows exactly how to figure out how much they are worth.
