Our experienced Long Beach slip and fall accident lawyers hear a lot of questions. One of the most commons is:
How much compensation can I expect to recover for my injuries?
There is no easy answer to this question. The value of a California slip and fall accident lawsuit will depend on the circumstances of the case in question. More specifically, the value of your lawsuit will depend on:
- Your ability to establish liability; and
- Your ability to prove your damages.
Proving Liability in a California Slip and Fall Accident Case
Slip and fall claims fall under the general umbrella of premises liability cases. Injuries related to slip and falls are often eligible for compensation. However, you will have to prove the negligent party was liable. To prove liability, you will need to be able to show that the defendant’s negligence contributed to your slip, trip or fall.In the most simple terms, negligence is the failure to exercise due care. Slip and fall accident claims are challenging because ‘negligence’ is a vague concept. To determine if a property owner is liable for damages, one must perform an intensive assessment of each claim. Victims should work with an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will aid in proving negligence and liability.
Negligent Parties Own Compensation for the Full Value of the Victim’s Losses
Once your slip and fall accident lawyer proves liability, your case will move onto to the ‘damages’ stage of the process. The issue of damages is important, yet often overlooked. In California, you can only recover compensation to the extent that you can prove that you sustained ‘losses’. This is because legal damages are compensatory in nature.
You must be able to document and present your losses. Otherwise, you will lose out on financial compensation that is rightfully yours. This is true even if you can prove that the defendant was liable for your accident. At The Beliz Law Firm, our team has the skills and experience needed to help you assert your damages claim. Depending on the specific facts of your slip and fall case, we may be able to help you seek financial relief for:
- Emergency medical costs;
- All other medical bills;
- Expenses related to physical therapy or rehabilitation;
- Lost current and future wages;
- Long-term disability;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Loss of lifestyle enjoyment.
Why Many Injured Victims Get Less Than They Deserve
Far too many slip and fall accident victims fail to recover for their losses. In some cases, victims give up or fail to assert a claim at all. In other cases, injured victims get tired of dealing with the insurance company. They settle their case for ten cents on the dollar. The accident claims process can take some time. While you may not know the value of your claim until near the end of the process, you need to keep fighting for the full compensation you deserve.