How to Find the Best Slip and Fall Lawyer Services for Success
Discover the top slip and fall lawyer for reliable claim success and justice. Contact us now for a free consultation and get the compensation you deserve.
With almost 85,000 hospitalizations due to unintentional falls in Florida in 2023 (Florida Department of Health), there are plenty of reasons that one might want to look for a slip and fall lawyer. As most insurers offer a low-ball settlement before anything else, it pays to have someone in your corner who knows how best to present your situation to get a better offer. However, how do you ensure you are choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your needs?
Below, we offer a focused plan to help you spot lawyers who can pursue your fall accident claim professionally, instead of trying to push a quick deal through. So, keep reading to learn how to set clear goals to find the best attorney for your needs and get the slip accident legal advice you deserve.
Set Case Goals Before You Search
Medical bills are one of the most difficult things to handle, and having insurance to cover them can mean significant help. However, the clock on proving negligence on the part of another party only lasts two years from the moment of the incident, so you may need to start the process as early as possible.
Start by working out exactly what you want, by defining the:
- The settlement you expect to receive
- Timeline you aim to receive this settlement by
- Who you believe could be the negligent party
- Any other key facts
You can then use these when you approach a slip and fall attorney to define your next steps and understand what they need to investigate your situation.
Target Settlement Range
Your settlement should not be a wished-for number. Instead, you need to be very specific about the damages you are pursuing. Make sure to gather receipts for:
- Hospital bills
- Follow-up visits
- Ambulance rides
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Equipment you require
- Potential future surgery projections
- Non-economic damages like pain or lifestyle changes
You should ask your treating physician for a written prognosis of these. However, a lawyer may be able to gather them and will likely also have a database of experts to call on for the details. So, when you first talk to them, bring this up to discuss the details.
It is also important to check recent Florida verdict databases to learn what others who have had similar injuries have tended to receive. Doing this will give you a more realistic idea of a likely outcome.
Key Timeline Milestones
Understand that the whole process is likely to take several months. As such, you should engage with a lawyer early. They will know more about the following:
- Making sure you have reported the fall to the property owner
- Documenting your medical care
- Preserving evidence
- Gathering camera footage and other records
- Drafting demand letters
- Negotiating
- Filing suits and pursuing compensation
Each of these steps can take a significant amount of time. However, the Florida courts will set the timeline once you file a suit against the other party.
Create a Florida Lawyer Shortlist
Perform an online search for as many slip and fall lawyers in Palm Beach or the surrounding area, filtering by high ratings. Be aware that many of these will now have a lot of experience in the field, as among those over 65, injuries due to falls are on the rise, according to the CDC. You can also use the person’s Avvo score, a method of rating attorneys, to learn about their reputation.
Read their reviews, don’t rely only on their rating, and get a good understanding of the people you review. You may also want to check both their website and LinkedIn for endorsements.
At the same time, use the Florida Bar’s public database to review their records. The Bar will be able to inform you if the lawyer has received any notes, such as:
- Reprimands
- Suspensions
- Trust-account violations
- Other significant complaints
If you find any issues, check if they are recent. Many attorneys make smaller mistakes when they are younger, then learn from them and significantly improve. So don’t discount someone who had a minor slight many years ago, and pay more attention to whether they are a “member in good standing”.
Finally, ensure the attorney is within 50 miles of the accident venue and you, in case they need to access both the scene and your area.
In Person Consultation
If you believe you have found a good attorney for your needs, you should book a consultation with them. When you go to this meeting, bring with you your:
- Photos of the incident and injuries
- Medical bills
- Footwear at the time of the accident
- Identification documents
- Any other relevant documents
You should also check whether you will speak with the attorney directly. There is a chance they may be busy, and you will need to talk with their support staff. However, the lawyer should still treat your case with sincerity, and their follow-up will also give you a good idea of how they will handle your issues in the future.
The consultation is also a good place to ask important questions, whether you simply want to know more or have specific concerns. Ask them what they know about:
- How they gather and preserve camera footage or other evidence
- What they expect the payout to be
- How many slip and fall cases they pursue annually
- Whether they have specific surgeons to consult for expert testimony
- What they expect the settlement or case timeline to be
- Whether they expect it to go to trial
You can use all this information to judge their communication style, politeness, professionalism, and how they plan to continue working with you.
Get the Slip and Fall Lawyer You Deserve
Having a dedicated slip and fall lawyer who can handle your case with grace and aplomb is worth its weight in gold. So, perform your due diligence and find one who matches your style and expectations, and will maintain a human relationship with you as you seek justice.
Felice Trial Attorneys offer access to their lawyers right from the time you engage with them. Their free consultation also means there is zero risk to you as you work to discover the strength of your fall accident claim.
So, get in contact today to learn more about their success in Palm Beach and how they can add you to that list.
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