I Was Injured In A Florida Slip And Fall Accident. How Much Is My Case Worth?
Among the most common accidents in the U.S. are slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall injuries are also quite common. It is estimated that slip and fall accidents send over one million people in the U.S. to the emergency room. If you were injured after getting involved in a slip-and-fall accident in Florida because of the fault of a property owner, you might be qualified to file a compensation claim. In Florida, property owners are obligated to keep their properties hazard-free. A property owner who allows hazards to remain on their property, thus causing a slip and fall accident, can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages in a personal injury claim.
If you suffered harm in a Florida slip-and-fall accident and are considering filing a compensation claim against the negligent party, one of the questions you might be asking yourself is how much is your Florida slip and fall accident worth? Stating how much you can expect to recover in your Florida slip and fall claim is impossible, as each slip and fall case is different. The compensation you could recover depends on the circumstances of your case.
If you suffered an injury in a Florida slip and fall incident and are considering filing a compensation claim against a negligent party, it is best that you hire a qualified slip and fall attorney to evaluate the factors surrounding your case and help you determine an amount you can expect to receive in your case. However, an attorney cannot guarantee that you will recover a particular amount of money even after assessing the specifics of your case.
Factors That Can Affect How Much You Recover in Your Florida Slip and Fall Accident Case
As stated already, the value of your Florida slip and fall accident case depends on the factors surrounding your case. The following are a few factors that can impact the value of your Florida slip and fall accident case:
The Severity of Your Injury
Your injury’s severity can significantly impact the value of your claim. The severity of your injuries determines the medical treatment you will need. The more severe your injuries, the more expensive your medical treatment, thus, the higher your medical bills. If your injuries are permanent, you can expect an even more substantial amount. This is because permanent injuries mean there is a need for future treatment, which in turn means you need to be compensated for future medical expenses.
The Amount of Economic Damages Caused
Apart from medical expenses, you may be entitled to other economic damages in your Florida slip and fall claim, such as lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Your lost wages are calculated based on the past earnings you have lost due to your injury, whereas loss of earning potential refers to future missed income that you have not yet earned. Damages for loss of earning capacity are meant to compensate you for the loss of or reduction in the ability to make an income in the future. The value of your lost wages, lost earning capacity, and other economic damages can significantly impact the value of your Florida slip and fall claim.
Your Own Fault
When determining the value of your Florida slip and fall accident case, you must also consider your own fault. The good news is that if you are also to blame for your Florida slip and fall accident, you can still recover compensation for your injury and damages. Florida follows the pure comparative negligence rule. But, if you are also to blame for your Florida slip and fall accident, the amount you are awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
The Available Insurance
Another factor affecting the value of your Florida slip and fall accident case is how much insurance coverage the defendant has. If, for example, your slip and fall case is worth $200,000, but the defendant only has $100,000 in insurance coverage, you may not be able to recover more than $100,000. However, if the defendant has enough personal wealth, you may be able to recover the full amount.
Whether You Have an Attorney
Lastly, whether or not you have an attorney by your side can impact the value of your Florida slip and fall accident case. Having an attorney increases your chances of recovering the maximum compensation possible. Insurance companies are notorious for offering low payments to plaintiffs who do not have legal representation.
Contact a Naples Slip & Fall Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a Florida slip and fall incident and need help obtaining the compensation you deserve from the negligent party, contact our skilled and dedicated Naples slip & fall attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A.
Sources:
law.cornell.edu/wex/comparative_negligence#:~:text=Comparative%20negligence%20is%20a%20tort,party%20contributed%20to%20the%20incident.
nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/
