Have you ever slipped on a wet floor in a store or tripped over an uneven sidewalk? Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, and they often result in serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slips, trips, and falls account for more than 8 million emergency room visits each year. This is the leading cause of all emergency room visits and a primary cause of employees taking days off work. Slips and falls can be dangerous for anyone, but they pose an even greater threat to older members of society, representing a leading cause of death for those over the age of 70. If you’ve been injured in a fall accident in Honolulu, you need a trusted ally to help you handle the complexities of your personal injury claim.
Furthermore, slip and fall injury is not just the physical pain that affects you. The financial burden of medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress can be overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to bear these burdens alone, especially if the accident occurred due to someone else’s negligence. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises, and when they fail to do so, they must be held responsible.
At Recovery Law Center, we understand the challenges you face after a fall accident. Our legal team is skilled in handling slip and fall cases and will work tirelessly to prove negligence and secure maximum compensation for your injuries. We conduct thorough investigations, gather critical evidence like medical records and police reports, and deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
How to Prove a Slip and Fall Claim
Proving a slip-and-fall claim requires careful documentation and a thorough understanding of the law. If you’ve experienced a slip-and-fall accident, here’s a straightforward guide to help you manage the process.
- Seek Prompt Medical Attention: First and foremost, get medical attention. Not only is this vital for your health, but it also creates a medical record of your injuries. This documentation can be essential for your slip and fall case, supporting your claim of the extent and cause of your injuries.
- Document the Scene: Gather as much evidence as possible from the scene. Take photographs of the area where you fell, noting any hazardous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or obstacles. Keep your soiled clothes as they can be evidence of a fall accident. If there were witnesses, collect their contact information for future statements.
- Report the Incident: Report the slip and fall accident to the property owner or manager immediately. Ensure the incident is recorded in an official report, which can be used later in your premises liability claim.
- Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a comprehensive record of all medical bills, lost wages, and any other expenses related to the fall injury. These documents will be necessary when calculating your compensation in a personal injury claim.
- Proving Negligence: To prove a slip and fall claim, you must demonstrate that the property owner was negligent. This means showing that they knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to address it. Evidence like maintenance records, witness testimonies, and prior complaints can be critical here.
- Legal Representation: Hiring a fall lawyer can make a significant difference in your case. An experienced Honolulu slip and fall lawyer from a reputable law firm can guide you through the legal process, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and help you secure a fair settlement. They will handle the legal intricacies, allowing you to focus on recovery.
- Comparative Negligence: Hawaii follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation could be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. A knowledgeable fall attorney will help argue against any claims of your negligence, aiming to maximize your compensation.
- Settlement Negotiations: Insurance companies often aim to settle quickly and for as little as possible. Your personal injury lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, fighting for the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
- Court Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your fall lawyer will represent you in court. They will present a strong case, aiming to prove the property owner’s negligence and secure the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Based on the sheer frequency of slip and fall accidents, they can truly happen anywhere. In Hawaii, the warm climate and diverse landscapes can sometimes create unique challenges that contribute to the occurrence of these accidents. Whether it’s a tropical rain shower making surfaces slippery or natural wear and tear on infrastructure, various factors can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. 
