When someone is injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s easy to assume the accident was caused by basic clumsiness. However, many slip-and-fall accidents are caused by the negligence of business owners and property owners, not the victims. If you have been injured after slipping or tripping and falling due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you might be entitled to pursue compensation through an injury claim. Finding a skilled and experienced slip-and-fall attorney to help you with your claim might increase the likelihood that you will recover full compensation for your losses. Scroll down to learn what to ask as you interview lawyers.
Questions to Ask a Slip-and-Fall Attorney
After a slip-and-fall accident, the recovery process can be long and difficult when you have sustained serious injuries. By working with a slip-and-fall attorney, you might be able to expedite your claim. A good lawyer can file the claim on your behalf, negotiate with defense counsel and the insurance company, and handle all of the details for you while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries. Working with an attorney can give you peace of mind while increasing your potential for recovering damages.
To find the right attorney, you need to know the right questions to ask. Consider asking the following questions when consulting with prospective lawyers.
1. Do I need an attorney when my injuries seem minor?
Immediately after your slip-and-fall accident, you might wonder whether you need to talk to an attorney if your injuries seem relatively minor. Remember that protecting your interests is important. Some injuries will not show symptoms immediately after an accident and instead start manifesting symptoms after several days. So whenever you are involved in an accident, you should seek immediate medical care to check for injuries. If you are injured, getting prompt medical care can improve your chances of fully recovering. Once you have received treatment, you should then contact a slip-and-fall attorney to learn about the merits of your claim. An attorney can talk to you about whether you have grounds to file a legal action and explain the steps that might be involved if you choose to move forward.
2. What percentage of your practice is devoted to personal injury law?
One of the first things you should ask a lawyer is what percentage of their practice is devoted to personal injury matters. Some attorneys have general practice law firms and devote little time to personal injury cases. A lawyer who focuses on personal injury cases is more likely to be up to date with the latest changes in the law. An experienced personal injury attorney is also more likely to know the various insurance company representatives and members of the defense bar and the tactics that they might implement in your case.
3. How many cases have you taken to trial?
While most personal injury claims are settled outside of the litigation process, some cases may need to go through the formal litigation process before fair compensation can be recovered. You want to find an attorney who is prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Some lawyers have little or no trial experience and simply settle all of their clients’ claims. You want to find an attorney that has past trial experience and who is prepared to fight for your rights to full compensation for your losses.
4. How does the process work?
A good personal injury lawyer should be able to explain how the claims process works in language that you can understand. Ask about the claims process and what might happen if you do not receive a reasonable settlement offer. Ask the attorney what might happen if you have to file a formal lawsuit in court and what the process might be after a lawsuit is filed.
5. When should I file a personal injury claim?
Under Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 260, § 4, you must file a legal claim against the negligent party no later than three years after your injury accident. If you do not, you will be barred from pursuing compensation in court. An attorney should know how the statute of limitations applies in your case and when your claim should be filed.
Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident because of the negligence of a property or business owner, you should talk to an experienced lawyer at Ellis & Associates. We have more than 65 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of accident victims. For a free case evaluation, call us today at 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.