3 Things to Look for When Choosing a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Written By: BOSS Editorial
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Did you know that slips and falls are common accidents that happen on both commercial and residential properties? Reports suggest that these occur due to uneven or wet surfaces, bad weather conditions, improper training, etc.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that there was a 5.7% rise in fatal work injuries between 2021 and 2022. Approximately 5,486 workers suffered injuries due to slips, trips, falls, exposure to harmful substances, transportation accidents, etc. These victims eventually sought legal aid to get the compensation they deserved.
Have you recently slipped and fallen due to someone else’s fault? In that case, you must initially seek medical attention and gather evidence at the scene. After that, you need to find attorneys specializing in these cases.
In this blog, we’ll discuss three things you should look out for when choosing such a lawyer.
#1. The Lawyer’s Accessibility
Did you know that the long process of filing such personal injury claims can be stressful? Without proper direction, it can truly affect your financial security and mental health.
Getting the right compensation from the claims you make for slip and fall accidents requires thorough preparation. Therefore, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment, gather evidence from the scene, and document the damages. Only after that should you hire an attorney who is dedicated to your case.
To do all of that, you’ll need a supportive and experienced attorney. According to the Loewy Law Firm, these lawyers will protect the victim’s legal rights and allow them to file claims before the statute of limitations runs out.
Remember to look for the lawyer’s accessibility and knowledge about your unique slip and fall case. For instance, your attorney should give you prompt responses through emails or phone calls whenever you have any queries.
During the initial consultation, find out whether the lawyer is genuinely committed to getting you justice. To do that, look for a kind and welcoming demeanor.
#2. Their Fee Structure
Legal industry estimates indicate that slip-and-fall lawyers usually work on contingency fees. You’ll have to award 33% of the settlement amounts to them. For instance, in a USD 30,000 settlement, the lawyer will receive USD 10,000.
Their fees will also depend on the expenses related to the intricacies of the slip and fall case. These include travel expenses, deposition fees, court fees, etc. However, they won’t receive any upfront payments until they recover a settlement amount for your claim.
Even then, it’s important to discuss the billing practices, payment methods, and fee structure before signing the retainer agreement. You should also discuss any additional upfront costs that you might have to pay. This way, you’ll better understand the exact amounts you owe your attorney for their services.
But avoid hiring a lawyer who’s asking you to pay their fees upfront and promising the ‘best’ compensation rates.
#3. Their Litigation Experience
You must find an attorney who has a successful and robust track record in court. Moreover, hiring a lawyer with a good reputation will compel the insurers to settle the case out of court. That’s because these attorneys might prove liability under the law, which will increase the payouts.
These professionals will also be respected by the judges, juries, and insurance companies involved. Forbes states that hiring an experienced lawyer will help you:
- Understand the laws that affect your unique slip and fall case.
- Decide whether you want to settle claims outside court or go to trial.
A legal representative without a background in litigation can affect the outcome of your case. For instance, they won’t have the court experience to take your case to trial to secure a fair settlement.
That’s why you must ask the lawyer about trial verdicts and seek success reports on their previous cases. Litigation lawyers will know what kind of compensation the plaintiffs can get based on their injuries. They will also have enough experience to negotiate medical liens to enhance the compensation amounts you’ll recover.
To check their expertise, you can ask for references and testimonials from previous slip and fall accident victims.
In summary, slips and falls can happen to anyone. Therefore, everyone should know how to hire a legal representative to fight their case. For that, you must follow all three tips shared in this blog to get the best lawyers.
These include assessing the legal representative’s success history, litigation experience, fee structure, and accessibility. Plaintiffs should also check whether the attorney can successfully negotiate claims with the insurance companies and in court. All these can assist you in getting the compensation and justice you deserve.
