Accidents can occur at any time. Sometimes they just happen but sometimes they are a result of negligence on the part of somebody else. If you have an accident on the property of a business, then this could be the result of negligence. Premises liability is a legal concept often central to personal injury cases.
It involves a business being held accountable for certain accidents that occur on its property. Knowing how to navigate the legal process can be daunting. Even renowned personal injury lawyer, Attorney James Goodnow says it can be challenging. In this article, we will cover some of the things you can do to make sure you successfully sue a business who caused your injury.
1. Get medical help
After an injury on a business property, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention. This is crucial not only for your well-being but also because it documents your injuries right away.
Sometimes, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask the pain or symptoms of serious injuries. Even if you feel okay, it’s still important to get checked out by a medical professional.
Make sure the doctors know that your injury took place on the property of a business. This way they can document things in a way that can help your case later. This will serve as crucial evidence and can be presented in court.
Only after you’ve gotten medical help should you find a lawyer to help you out. The important thing is to make sure your injuries are treated right away.
2. Report the incident
Once you have received medical attention, you will need to make a report with the establishment. Try to provide them with as much detail as you can remember about the accident. Make sure to include where it happened, what caused it, and what you believe they could have done to prevent it. Ask for a copy of this report or confirmation that your account of events has been recorded.
To make sure that things are documented as you believe they happened, you can’t just rely on the report by the company. Make sure to document everything yourself. This could involve taking photographs of the exact location where you were injured. Hopefully, you can capture the condition that caused the accident.
3. File a claim
Once you have everything prepared you will need to file a claim. You aren’t exactly suing just yet because you may not even need to go to court. A claim involves you or your attorney communicating with the business or its insurance company to negotiate compensation.
The process begins with your lawyer sending a demand letter detailing your injuries, how the accident occurred, why the business is responsible, and the compensation amount you are seeking.
If they won’t negotiate, then this is when things escalate and you will go to court. Many companies will settle, however, since losing a court case will be more expensive for them.
