People slip and fall in Philadelphia every day. When you live in a city of this size, that should be expected. It shouldn’t be surprising then to find that our injury lawyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania represent dozens of clients every year who were injured in a slip and fall. While some of them suffered more serious injuries than others, they all had one thing in common – they were smart enough to hire a slip and fall attorney in Philadelphia within days of getting hurt.
Your injury lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can do a lot to help you get compensation for your slip and fall injuries. However, they’re also depending on you taking certain steps in the moments after your slip and fall. The last thing you want to do is make it harder for your lawyer to do their job than it already is. If you don’t fill out an accident report or refuse medical treatment after your fall, it’ll be very difficult for your attorney to win your case.
If you’ve already suffered a slip and fall, then you should call our office right away. We can schedule your free, initial consultation with one of our slip and fall attorneys in Philadelphia right over the phone. We can review your case and do our best to help you pursue the defendant for damages.
Make Sure You Fill Out an Accident or Incident Form Right Away
One thing a lot of people forget to do is fill out an accident report after they fall. It doesn’t matter if you fall in the mall or a grocery store, you need to talk to a manager and ask them for this form. If you don’t fill this out, it will be your word against the property owner’s. You don’t want to be put in this position.
When you fill out your incident form, the manager will have to sign off on it. They will also have to put down the name of any witnesses who saw you fall. In addition, they’ll write down that you went to the emergency room. When it comes time to file a claim against the store’s insurance company, you’ll be able to use this form as proof that you fell. Your injury lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is also going to rely on this form to get a lot of basic information about your fall.
You Need to Go to the Emergency Room Immediately
For some reason, a lot of people who suffer a slip and fall refuse to receive medical treatment. Sometimes, they’re embarrassed. They’re just praying they can dust themselves off and get back to their shopping. They don’t want anyone to see them lying there on the floor. It’s bad enough that the incident is caught on camera. It doesn’t matter where you go today – there are cameras everywhere.
When you first fall and the manager comes over, they’ll ask if you want them to call an ambulance. Like it or not, the answer to this question must be “yes.” You need to get checked out by an emergency room doctor. If you don’t go to the emergency room, your slip and fall attorney in Philadelphia will have no way to prove your injuries. The best way to do this is by submitting a copy of your medical records. The defendant and their insurance company will argue that something other than the fall caused your injuries. Or they’ll claim that you weren’t injured at all.
Make Sure You Meet with an Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Once you get the medical treatment you need, it’s a good idea to call and speak with an injury lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Your attorney will take care of the legal side of things while you recover from your injuries. They’ll negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company to get your claim paid. If the insurance adjuster decides to deny your claim, then they’ll file an appeal.
The problem with appealing an insurance claim is that the appeal is going to be handled by the same group who made the initial decision. However, your slip and fall attorney in Philadelphia will follow the normal process and see where it takes them. If need be, they can even file suit.
Your Slip and Fall Attorney in Philadelphia Will File Suit if Need be
Ideally, when you file your insurance claim, it will be approved, and you’ll have your check in a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, some claims are denied. The insurance company could deny your claim for any number of reasons, including:
- They don’t believe you really fell
- They think you fell on purpose or were responsible for your fall
- The insurance adjuster thinks you’re exaggerating your injuries
- The property manager or store manager tells the insurance adjuster that you faked the fall
- The incident was not caught on camera, and they think you’re lying
- Your claim is large, and the insurance company would rather take their chances settling down the road
- The policy is invalid or had lapsed for non-payment
Depending on where your slip and fall takes place, you shouldn’t have a problem with their insurance policy being valid. Any business that is still open and operating is required to carry general liability insurance. This is meant to cover things like slip and fall accidents.
Contact a Skilled Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Right Away
If you or your spouse have been hurt in a slip and fall, you may have a claim for damages. It all depends on the facts of your case and the severity of your injuries. The only way to know for sure is to talk to an experienced injury lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Our slip and fall attorneys in Philadelphia have decades of combined experience handling cases just like yours. They know how to deal with the insurance companies. They also know how to prove their clients’ damages. Your case is in good hands if you retain one of our attorneys.
We suggest you call our office as soon as possible after your slip and fall so you can schedule your free, initial consultation. Take the time to sit down with someone who has your best interests in mind.