In 2021, over 6.9 million people visited emergency rooms for treatment of fall-related injuries. Slip-and-fall accidents are common, but if you experience one, it can be tough to get the compensation you deserve.
If you’re hiring a slip-and-fall attorney, you need to be sure that you evaluate your decision carefully. Ensure that you hire a law firm that can build a rock-solid case and do a great job of guiding you through the process.
Here are 7 important questions you need to ask when hiring a slip-and-fall attorney in Augusta, GA.
What Is a Slip-and-Fall Case?
A slip-and-fall is a type of premises liability case in which someone is injured on another person’s property. During the case, it will be necessary to prove that the owner of the property was at fault and that they were negligent in some way.
If the owner didn’t take care of the property as they should have and if the fall could have been prevented, they may be held liable for the injury. Taking steps to prove that the owner was negligent will be the prime goal of the injured party, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help to prove the case.
What to Ask a Slip-and-Fall Attorney?
So what should you ask your slip-and-fall attorney when hiring them? Here’s what you should find out.
1. What’s Needed to Build the Slip-and-Fall Case?
When speaking with a slip and fall accident attorney, be sure that they’ll give you an idea of what you need to build your case. Many things can help you prove your case, including police reports, medical reports, and incident reports. During the case, industry experts may also be consulted and used to help with the slip and fall claim.
During the course of an investigation finding out if there has been prior incidents of falls or injuries at a premises is important evidence to show the owner knew of a danger and did not ensure that visitors had a safe premises when visiting.
It’s important to collect all the evidence you can as early as you can to ensure that you have quality evidence to use. Waiting too long can make it much more difficult to prepare your case and gather what you need.
2. How Do I Prove Another Party’s Negligence?
Also, understand what it takes to prove that another party was negligent in their behavior. Different states have different negligence standards, so you should be able to understand the differences and what you need to prove in your state.
Property owners have a duty to ensure the property is safe for those who come onto the property. If the owner breaches this duty to have a safe premises and someone is hurt, the owner is responsible for the injury to the guest. Proving this may include showing prior violations of the duty, failure to obey rules and regulations, failure to follow common sense safety requirements, or other bad acts.
A slip-and-fall case is considered a premises liability case. An owner needs to maintain their property and ensure that it’s safe for anyone who’s on it. To prove your slip-and-fall case, you’ll need to prove that the owner of the property was negligent in taking care of their property and didn’t ensure that it was safe for visitors.
3. Are There Any Upfront Attorney Fees or Hidden Costs?
One of the most important things to ask a slip-and-fall attorney is how much they will charge you. Most personal injury attorneys will use a contingency fee pricing structure, meaning you won’t have to pay anything unless you receive compensation.
You should verify that there aren’t any out-of-pocket expenses you’ll need to pay to hire the slip-and-fall attorney and should ensure that they’re charging a reasonable percentage.
4. Do You Have a Winning Slip-and-Fall Track Record?
When evaluating a slip-and-fall lawyer, you should also ask them how many cases they have won in court. Get an idea about their track record and ensure that they have experience under their belt. Only about 5% of personal injury cases go to trial, but you need to have a lawyer who’s capable and willing to do so if necessary.
An experienced lawyer who is willing to go to bat for you in court is more likely to be able to get you fair compensation. Make sure that you know about their history before you hire them.
5. What Are My Odds of Getting a Positive Outcome?
When speaking with a slip-and-fall attorney, you should ask them how they feel about your case and your chances of success. Every case is different, and some are more difficult than others. Your lawyer should tell you what they think your chances of winning are and if any particular difficulties are associated with your case.
A great lawyer will be honest with you about your odds and won’t sugarcoat anything. Be sure that your lawyer has a level and balanced perspective on your case.
6. What Will My Responsibilities Be During the Case?
You should also find out what your lawyer expects of you during a slip-and-fall accident case. Some people facing a slip-and-fall case prefer to be hands-on and want to be involved. Others would like to step aside and let their lawyer handle everything.
You should discuss this beforehand so you know what kind of relationship you’ll have with your lawyer. Know what your position will be when going through depositions and important meetings regarding the case and ensure that you and your lawyer are on the same page.
7. How and When Will the Legal Staff Communicate With Me?
Another thing that you should determine about your relationship with a lawyer is how you’ll communicate. Some lawyers will be more communicative than others, so you need to know what to expect going in. Choose an attorney who will be communicative, provide you with information throughout the case, and update you regularly.
A law firm should also give you the contact information of the staff working on your case, so you can easily get in touch with them as needed. Be sure to ask how frequently a lawyer will contact you when speaking with them so that you’ll know what to expect as time goes on.
Hiring the Right Slip-and-Fall Attorney
If you need to hire a slip-and-fall attorney, be sure to ask these questions first. Find out whether you have a case that’s worth pursuing and ensure that the lawyer is willing to fight on your behalf.
If you need a slip-and-fall attorney in Augusta, GA, consider the David Bell Law Firm. At the David Bell Law Firm, we have successfully handled cases where our clients were injured by cracked pavement, sinkholes, spills on floors, ice on walkways, tripping hazards, and improper use of building materials such as slippery tile.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your slip-and-fall case.
