Slip and fall accidents are common in public places, such as stores, restaurants, and sidewalks. These accidents can result in serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage.
If you have been injured, seeking medical attention and consulting with a personal injury attorney is critical. Collecting and presenting evidence is critical to building a strong compensation case. Here are three critical reasons your personal injury lawyer will require evidence, even in slip-and-fall cases.
Establishing Liability
To recover compensation for your injuries in a slip and fall case, you must establish that the property owner or occupier was negligent. Negligence legally refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care. Relating to slip and fall accidents, negligence may involve failing to maintain the property safely, warn of a dangerous condition, or take reasonable steps to remedy a known hazard.
To establish liability, you must show that the property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty by acting negligently, and that their negligence caused your injuries. Evidence is critical to establishing each of these elements.
Proving Damages
In addition to establishing liability, you must prove the damages you suffered from the slip and fall accident. Damages could include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
To prove damages, you must provide evidence of the nature and extent of your injuries. This may include medical records, bills, and reports from doctors, physical therapists, or other healthcare providers. You may also need to provide evidence of lost wages, like pay stubs or a letter from your employer.
Aside from these economic damages, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages for emotional distress or loss of enjoyment of life. Through representation by a personal injury lawyer, proving these damages may require testimony from medical experts, family members, or other witnesses who can describe the impact of your injuries on your life.
Avoiding Contributory Negligence
Finally, evidence is critical in slip-and-fall cases to avoid a finding of contributory negligence. Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine that prevents you from receiving compensation if you are found to have contributed to your injuries.
To avoid a finding of contributory negligence, you will need evidence that shows you were not at fault for the accident. This may include witness statements, video footage, or other evidence that shows the hazardous condition was not visible or otherwise obvious. Without this evidence, you may be at risk of being found partially or wholly responsible for your injuries, which can significantly reduce the compensation you are entitled to.
In Closing
Evidence is critical to building a strong case for compensation if you have suffered a slip and fall accident. By establishing liability, proving damages, and avoiding contributory negligence, you can improve your chances of recovering the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. An expert personal injury attorney can help you collect and present the evidence necessary to build a strong case and maximize your recovery.
Call Our Lawyers Right Away
If you, your family, or your friend is involved in a slip-and-fall accident in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lancaster, or anywhere in South Carolina, we can help. Call us right now at (803) 324-7200 (Rock Hill), (803) 289-7202 (Lancaster), (803) 396-5200 (Fort Mill), or fill out our confidential contact form before speaking to a personal injury lawyer.
