Slip And Fall
Slip And Fall Attorney Wheeling IL
Nothing can ruin a person’s day like having a slip-and-fall accident. You may run out to get a pound of butter and end up in the emergency room when you slip on a spilled jar of pickles. You might go out for a relaxing afternoon of window shopping only to end up with a broken wrist when you slip on a freshly mopped floor that has not been properly marked off.
If you slip and fall in a business or a private home, the business or homeowner may be responsible for your injuries. When a person owns the property, they have a duty of care to anyone who lives at the property or visits it.
An owner must keep the property safe and free of clutter. They must make sure there is nothing obstructing walkways and that people are warned of any danger. For example, if one of the floors of an office building is being remodeled, tools must be cleaned up and stored properly. Signs must also be put up warning people of any potential danger.
If someone is injured in an Illinois slip-and-fall accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, the property owner’s insurance should pay for it. In some cases, you may have to sue the insurance company or the property owner to get compensation for your injuries.
If you are searching the internet for Personal Injury Lawyer Wheeling, you’ll come to know that the Law Office of Jack Shapiro can help you if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Northwestern Illinois. Mr. Shapiro is an injury lawyer who has worked on both sides of personal injury law. He has represented insurance companies and personal injury victims. A trained negotiator and litigator, he is well-versed in the arguments that an insurance company will use to pay clients less than their due.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Slip and Fall?
If you take a spill in a store, you should take a good look around you to see what caused the slip. Did you trip over an object that was in the middle of the floor? Were there loose floorboards? Is there water, sauce, or oil on the floor? If so, are there any warning signs around?
Take pictures of what caused the accident and get the names and numbers of witnesses. Make sure the manager of the store fills out an accident report and gives you their insurance information.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured at a person’s home, you should take pictures and get the names of witnesses, if there are any. You should ask for the homeowner’s insurance information.
See your doctor even if you feel alright. Injuries are not always noticeable right away. An insurance company will want to see X-rays and doctors’ reports. If a doctor recommends you have surgery, you should have it. If you need physical therapy, you should strive to make every appointment. Insurance adjusters may try to deny a claim if you have not followed doctors’ orders.
Why You Need a Slip and Fall Attorney
When you file an insurance claim, it will be assigned to an adjuster who will investigate the case. They will look at the documentation you have collected and decide whether to approve or deny your case. If they approve, they will offer you a settlement. In most cases, the settlement will be too low. A slip-and-fall attorney can tell you if the settlement offer is fair.
Jack Shapiro can call the insurance company and negotiate to get you a better deal than the original offer. He can represent you in court if it becomes necessary. If you need a slip-and-fall attorney, call us today.