Slip and falls can be challenging, and no one should suffer through the process without the assistance of an experienced Indiana injury lawyer. An attorney can help you with a number of things, including understanding the law, gathering evidence, meeting the relevant filing deadlines.
Another thing an attorney can help with is assessing the value of your case. This kind of estimate involves various critical factors that can affect the overall dollar amount of a slip and fall case. This blog will examine some of these critical factors that combine to determine the potential value of your case.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses play a vital role in estimating the value of a slip and fall case. It’s important to note, however, that solely relying on medical bills to settle a case is not going to be the most effective strategy.
In the State of Indiana, it’s essential for those who have suffered injuries to seek medical treatment promptly. Keeping a record of medical expenses and adhering to your healthcare professional’s advice are also crucial to ensuring your case’s success.
Loss of Income and Earning Capacity
The loss of income and earning capacity is frequently overlooked, but this is a significant factor in determining the value of a slip and fall case. This includes the time spent going to and from doctor’s appointments and the financial losses incurred as a result of your injury interfering with work.
It’s important to keep track of your lost wages. This may require presenting the prior year’s tax documents when making a claim; but that should not stop you from hiring an attorney to file a claim on your behalf. The attorneys at the Marc Lopez Law Firm have years of experience at getting the best possible compensation for their clients.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering may contribute substantially to the overall compensation in a slip and fall case. If the injured party returns to normal within a relatively short period of time, that person can expect to recover less than the person who’s still feeling the effects of their injuries for months, or even years.
Severity of Injuries
The extent of your injuries can significantly impact the compensation you may receive. A more severe injury is typically going to translate into a higher settlement offer or verdict. In cases involving the need for surgery or lengthy recovery times, the dollar amount offered is often higher than in cases involving minor muscle aches or pains.
This is also true for cases involving long term medical effects after the injury has healed. If the injury is capable of causing significant difficulties in the future, the settlement offers tend to skew higher than if there’s minimal risk of future complications.
The severity of the injury must be determined by a qualified medical professional. Don’t post about your case online and don’t publicly solicit feedback from family, friends, or well-meaning strangers. The injury attorneys at the Marc Lopez Law Firm can help guide you through your journey and make sure you see the best possible outcome.
Comparative Negligence
To determine liability in an injury case, Indiana uses the modified comparative fault standard. Basically, this means your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault that you bear for the injury. For example, if a jury determines that your case is worth $10,000 and also finds that you were 20% at fault in your own slip and fall, your recovery will be reduced to $8,000.
Don’t Delay, Reach Out Today
When you’ve been injured, your primary focus needs to be on your own physical recovery. You need an experienced Indiana injury lawyer who can worry about filing deadlines and the gathering of evidence. There’s no good reason to try and do everything on your own.
The Marc Lopez Law Firm understands the pain of slip and fall victims and is dedicated to guiding them through the process. If you have concerns about a slip and fall case, give us a call today at 317-632-3642 and let us turn your frustration into compensation.
