If you have recently slipped and fallen due to a spill while shopping at a local store, you may be wondering whether or not you should pursue a personal injury case. Although your fall may have resulted in an injury, it may or may not be suitable for you to pursue a personal injury settlement. Here are a few factors that can determine whether or not you should seek compensation for your injuries:
Who caused the slip-and-fall hazard?
One of the leading factors that can determine whether or not a store owner or one of the store employees is liable for your accident is the determination of who caused the spill. Spills that may have inadvertently been caused by another patron of the store may remove liability from store representatives. For instance, if another store customer spills a drink while walking a few steps in front of you and you slip and fall on that drink, the store was not negligent. If, however, a store employee spills mop water or another substance and you slip and fall, the store is more likely to be responsible.
Was the store aware of the danger?
If store representatives were aware that a slip-and-fall hazard was present and did not take suitable actions to remove it, the store representatives will likely be considered negligent, and a slip-and-fall personal injury settlement should be pursued. Once a store representative has knowledge that a slippery substance or material is present, the hazard should be alleviated or removed immediately. In addition, the representatives of the store should place a warning indicator, such as a wet floor sign, near the hazard to warn patrons of the potential safety issue.
How serious are your injuries?
If the injuries you sustained when you slipped and fell were not serious, you may have little chance of receiving compensation. A slight bump or bruise that requires no medical treatment is unlikely to be considered a serious injury.
In addition, it is important to ensure that you receive medical care promptly after your accident occurs. The legal representative of the store will likely suspect that your injuries were not serious if you wait days or weeks after your fall to get treatment. In addition, another incident could have happened during that period to cause your injuries. Thus, receiving prompt treatment of your injuries is important.
If you have recently slipped and fallen in a local store, schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney to determine whether or not apersonal injury settlement should be pursued.
