How Often Do Slip and Fall Accidents Go to Trial?

Pursuing legal action can be intimidating. Even though you feel like you deserve justice after a fall that wasn’t your fault and caused you harm, you might not want to go through the process of filing because the thought of going to trial and speaking in court is scary. You’ll need someone on your side who will support you through the process while simultaneously fighting to protect your rights. Thankfully, that’s what a Jackson slip and fall accident lawyer from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC is here for. Let’s take a look at what slip and fall accident cases look like and how often they go to trial.

Slip and Fall Accident Statistics

Slip and fall accidents happen more than you think. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), as the leading cause of hospital visits, there are over 8 million emergency room visits every year for falls, and 1 million of those visits are from slips and falls. While falls can be harmful for all age groups, older Americans are in the most danger when they fall, even on a level surface. Hip fractures are the most dangerous injury that a person can sustain from a fall, but other injuries are broken arms, bruises, and brain injuries.

After your slip and fall accident, you might be asking yourself a lot of questions, but the biggest one you’re probably asking is if you really want to file a lawsuit. If you’re worried that your slip and fall case might be too much to handle and go to trial, there’s some good news—most slip and fall accident cases settle.

Even though slip and fall accidents happen frequently, only one in five falls result in a serious injury, which could be why the cases don’t often go to trial. A case going to trial takes a lot of time and resources, so lawyers on both sides will likely negotiate a settlement because a trial is not necessary. Your settlement amount depends on many factors surrounding your accident. The best way to get a fair settlement and avoid going to trial is by hiring an experienced Jackson slip and fall accident lawyer who knows all the facts of your case.

Aspects of Your Slip and Fall Accident Claim

When you hire a lawyer to help you through your slip and fall accident claim, they will need to know everything about what happened. They’ll also look into many aspects of your case that you might find personal, but they’re necessary facts that they need to know. Here are some things that your lawyer will investigate:

• Where it happened. Your lawyer will need to know where your accident happened, why you were there, and if the property owner is responsible for your accident. For example, if you have a fall at the gym, they could be held responsible for your injury.
• Responsibility. As a comparative negligence state, Mississippi’s negligence laws allow a victim to recover damages even if they carried a small percentage of fault. Your lawyer will look into the situation and help you prove that the property owner was negligent, and that negligence directly caused your accident.
• Your injuries. Documenting your injuries is one of the most important parts of your case. Your medical records will be pertinent here because you need to prove that the fall directly caused your injury. If your injuries are more serious, like a broken bone or brain injury, you might be able to recover more, depending on how the injury has impacted your life and ability to return to normal.
• Medical bills. On average, the hospital costs of a slip and fall injury are between $30,000 and $40,000. Along with documentation of your injuries, you’ll also want to supply your lawyer with all of your medical bills and related costs so that they can accurately determine the fair amount of money that you deserve in compensation.
• Missed work. Slip and fall injuries are the leading reason for missed work. Missed work can lead to lost wages, which is another important aspect of your case. Pay stubs that show your missed wages and time off from your injury can help your lawyer calculate fair compensation so that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Even though most slip and fall accident cases don’t move on to trial, you’ll still benefit from having a lawyer on your side because they will make sure that you don’t get a settlement that’s less than what you’re owed. A Jackson slip and fall accident lawyer from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC will be able to support you through your claim and will thoroughly investigate so they can ensure you get the settlement you deserve. Reach out to our office today so we can start gathering all the facts. We know how daunting any kind of legal endeavor can be, but with us on your side, you don’t have to worry.