How to Make a Slip and Fall Injury Claim in Indiana

Posted on February 19, 2019 by admin

The primary priorities to making any personal injury claim is to seek medical attention, gather and protect your evidence, hire an experienced personal injury attorney, and take the correct legal actions, all from the moments your accident occurs. When it comes to slip, trip, and fall claims, these priorities are no different.

Continue reading to learn how you should manage and navigate a slip and fall injury and accident claim in Indiana.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents

The first few actions (or non-actions) made by a slip and fall victim can mean all the difference in terms of establishing fault and liability. It is important to take the right legal actions from the very moments a slip and fall accident takes place in order to protect your claim and ultimately win your settlement for compensation. Below, you will find some information and advice regarding what a slip and fall victim (or claimant representing a victim) should do to move forward with a personal injury claim.

► Immediately Report the Incident

The first step after slipping and falling on public or private property is to notify the owners or persons in charge. For commercial properties, such as retail stores or restaurants, ask for the highest ranking person on duty and report the accident. Just be brief by simply stating where you fell, which obstruction caused the fall (torn carpet, uneven floorboard, wire or cord, puddle, ice, poor lighting, etc.), and where you are hurting. For public grounds, like parks and city streets, notify the town or city the same day, both by phone call and written notification. If the injury is too severe, notify the city or town as soon as your health permits. This is especially important for accidents that take place without any witnesses.

IMPORTANT: If your slip and fall injuries are severe and require emergency medical attention, make this step the first priority. Once stable, you can move forward with the remainder of the accident claim process. You can also appoint a spouse, relative, or friend to help you report the incident and gather evidence.

► Ask for Witness Information

The next step in moving forward with a personal injury claim, which may need to be carried out by a trusted friend or family member depending on the severity of your injury, is to get all the contact information from anyone that may have witnessed the accident. Be sure to record their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If they are willing to give additional contact information, take that as well. Keep in mind that witness testimony plays a major role in winning a personal injury settlement.

► Gather Evidence

Your next step is to take and gather photos and video recordings. Again, this might have to be done by a friend or family member depending on the severity of your injuries. Photos and video (if possible) should be taken as soon as possible after the accident. All footage should be taken at multiple angles, and should capture the hazardous environment or obstruction, the condition of the victim, the victim’s injury and the condition of the injury in the days following the accident.

All these photos and videos must be done BEFORE any changes to the environment occur or any evidence is lost (i.e. melting snow or ice, missing lightbulb, puddle, spilled food, etc.). The more evidence you have, the stronger your chances are for obtaining a full and fair settlement to cover your damages. Ask whoever is in charge to retain any video surveillance of the fall and if you can do the request in writing, do so. Normally, you should request the person to retain any video surveillance for the entire day of your fall.

► Seek Medical Care

A person should seek medical treatment the same day, or as soon as they are experiencing pain or complications from the accident. Sometimes injuries are not present right away, and tend to show up days or weeks following the accident. This is common for neck and back injuries. Insurance companies will argue that a person wasn’t seriously injured enough to receive compensation if they didn’t require immediate professional medical care. Medical treatment is evidence that a slip and fall victim is injured and the doctor’s diagnosis and victim’s medical records are evidence for a case.

► Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Before talking to any insurance companies or adjusters, it is vital to hire a personal injury lawyer first. It is crucial to have an experienced slip and fall lawyer on your side during the entire personal injury claims process.

Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers You Can Trust

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Get started on your slip and fall claim by calling the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although based out of Indy, our law firm represents victims throughout the state, as well as, out-of-state victims who are injured in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never require any upfront lawyer fees. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Were You Injured at a Store After Falling on Ice or Snow?

Posted on January 18, 2019 by admin

Premise liability is a staple principle of tort law. If you were recently shopping at a local store that did not take the proper precautions to protect its patrons from falling on snow and ice, or being involved in an accident as a result of neglected snow and ice removal, you could be entitled to certain compensation for your related damages and losses.

Continue reading to learn more about premise liability in Indiana, including how to get started evaluating your potential personal injury case.

Basics of Premise Liability

Premise liability refers to an area of the law that holds property owners legally responsible for any harm or damages caused to people who are on their premises. For clarity, a property’s “premise” is defined as inside and outside the property, sometimes including sidewalks and access property. Furthermore, factors of premise liability differ depending on whether the injured person was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or trespassed onto the property.

Situations like structural hazards, violence and assault, food poisoning, animal attacks, swimming pool accidents, and bonfires, are general examples of premise liability cases, however, one of the most prevalent types of premise liability cases involve slip and fall accidents. In the case of snow and ice, if a store owner does not properly manage the removal of the accumulation on their premises, it can result in slippery walkways outside, slippery floors inside, obstructed fire escapes, unleveled surfaces, car and pedestrian accidents, and other hazardous conditions.

If a property owner is aware of unsafe conditions or should have been aware, and allows the unsafe conditions to continue by failing to eliminate all hazards, they are putting visitors and customers at risk of being injured. In such cases, if a person is involved in an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, and as a result of the accident injuries occur, the property owner could be held legally liable for that person’s related damages and losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost work wages, pain, suffering, and more.

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indiana are the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC).

Indiana Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slip, trips, and fall cases are some of the most complex, thus requiring the attention of a seasoned personal injury law firm. If you were recently injured after falling on snow, ice, or any other hazard, it is vital that you contact a licensed Indiana slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to learn your rights to compensation.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

At the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we offer free initial consultations to get you started on the right path toward financial recovery. There is no out-of-pocket obligation to pay unless we recover a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your introductory appointment with a skilled and knowledgeable accident lawyer you can trust.

What Causes the Most Slip and Fall Accidents?

Posted on September 24, 2018 by admin

There are many reasons why slip and fall accidents happen. However, when it comes to personal injury claims, the most serious slip and fall accidents seem to stem from the same types of negligence. Continue reading to learn some of the most common causes for slip, trip, and fall accidents, as well as, how to get started on your injury claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are generally caused by hazardous surface conditions, such as wet floors, uneven walkways, and poorly maintained parking lots. Here are some examples of the most common causes for slip and fall accidents:

⚠ Wet or Slippery Floors

⚠ Cracked Sidewalks

⚠ Defective Escalators

⚠ Defective Moving Walkways

⚠ Jagged Walkways

⚠ Uneven Steps

⚠ Broken Tiles

⚠ Torn Carpets

⚠ Insufficient Lighting

⚠ Pathway Obstructions (debris, rubble, electrical cords, etc.)

⚠ Broken Ramps

⚠ Construction Zones

⚠ Grease or Oil Spills

⚠ Loose or Missing Handrails

⚠ Open Desk Drawers

⚠ Failure to Remove Hazards

⚠ Failure to Remove Snow or Ice

⚠ Defective Ladders

⚠ Building Code violations

⚠ Failure to Post Warning Signs for Floors or Steps

If You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident

Rights surrounding slip and fall victims vary from state to state, so the circumstances for recovering compensation will likely differ. But across the board, commercial, public, and residential property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are safe and hazard-free in order to protect any visitors from potential harm. Please see our blog, “A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises” to learn more about store owner liability.

Here in Indiana, victims of slip and fall accidents are protected under Indiana Premises Liability law. This means if you slip and fall on another person’s property and suffer serious injuries, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages. It is vital that you discuss your accident and injuries with a seasoned Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer for help making a claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you would like to file a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana or anywhere in Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

3 Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Slip and Fall Accident

Posted on August 20, 2018 by admin

When a slip and fall accident happens to an innocent person because someone else was careless, it is important for the negligent party to be held accountable for the victim’s injuries and subsequent losses. A personal injury lawyer can help slip and fall victims accomplish this goal by recovering the full and fair compensation necessary to cover hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you were recently injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to hire a licensed personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Here are the top three reasons why:

❶ They Will Manage Evidence and Speak With Witnesses

In a slip and fall personal injury case, one of the most important factors in proving liability is evidence. Personal injury lawyers will gather all types of evidence, including photographs, videos, witness statements, professional testimonies, expert panels, investigations, and more. They are experienced and know exactly where to look, and will deal with all procedures and efforts to collect as much evidence as possible to prove a slip and fall case. These are imperative tasks that the average person is simply not qualified to do.

❷ They Will Prove Liability

The burden of proving that the defendant (at-fault party) is liable for a slip and fall accident rests on the shoulders of the plaintiff (victim party). Slip and fall lawyers have the acute and comprehensive knowledge of the law, giving them the skills necessary to carefully review all evidence and factors in a case and prove liability.

They can demonstrate through concrete evidence that: 1) you did not contribute to your accident and injuries in any way, 2) the at-fault party had a duty of care to protect the victim from a slip and fall accident, 3) the at-fault party did not take the proper precautions to prevent a slip and fall accident, and 4) the slip and fall accident was the direct cause of all the victims damages and losses.

❸ They Will Handle All Court and Lawyer Communications

Not only will personal injury lawyers manage all evidence and legal dealings in a slip and fall case, they will solely handle the line of communication with the courts and other lawyers so you don’t have to. This task is complex and can be intimidating for you, which is why it is a significant advantage to hire a personal injury law firm that specializes in slip and fall claims. They will do all the document fillings and speaking at mediation meetings, trials, motions, and more; you don’t have to say anything at all if you choose except in a deposition or at trial. They know how to navigate your claim in the best interest of your health, well-being, and future.

Esteemed Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Central Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys retain extensive experience working with slip and fall claims, and will work around the clock to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

Where to Get Legal Advice for Hotel Accident Injury Claims

Posted on March 6, 2018 by admin

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whether five star or economy-class, all hotels are susceptible to lapses in safety requirements. If such safety errors take place, accidents can happen, which can cause injuries to both employees and guests alike. Furthermore, if negligence is founded on behalf of the hotel, victims may be eligible to collect compensation for their damages and losses incurred as a result of the accident.

This is made more possible with the help of a licensed personal injury law firm. Victims of hotel accidents are encouraged to take a closer look at their case and learn their rights to filing an injury claim against the negligent party. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about hotel accidents and injury claims, and more importantly, where to get started.

Hotel Risks

There are several components and amenities within a hotel that can lead to dangerous accidents and serious injuries. Staircases, steps, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and swimming pools are just a few common structures found in hotels that are known for various types of accidents. In addition to structures, many hotels also serve food and beverages, which can also cause serious injury if prepared and served improperly. This is especially true in terms of food borne illnesses, alcohol poisoning, and dietary restrictions. In addition to these types of potential hazards, some hotels provide shuttle and transportation services that can result in a wide range of motor vehicle accidents if the proper protocols and practices aren’t taken.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Hotels

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

The most common type of personal injury accident claim filed against hotels are slip and fall claims. When floors, foundations, and certain surroundings are negligently tended to, people are at risk of slipping, tripping, and falling. This includes liquids and spills, power cords, unstable balconies or bridges, poor lighting, broken furniture, crumbling pavement, unleveled flooring, torn or heaved carpeting, broken rails, and ground obstructions. Slip and fall accidents that stem from these types of safety errors can range from minor to very serious, and
even fatal in some cases.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pool accidents are another common personal injury claim against hotels. When improperly maintained and supervised, hotels can be liable for any accidents and subsequent injuries that take place as a result of their negligence. Accidental drowning accidents are the most serious cases, and victims of such negligence are encouraged to pursue a wrongful death claim. In terms of non-fatal injuries, the most common are slip and fall accidents, which usually cause injuries like broken bones, head injuries, and more. Near-drowning accidents are also common, which can still cause a surplus of injuries.

Where to Get Started With Your Hotel Accident Claim

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim for a hotel accident in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a time with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

Advice on Winter Floor Protection for Commercial Businesses

Posted on December 26, 2017 by admin

With winter comes snow, ice, excess precipitation, and needless-to-say, a lot of extra mess to clean up. It seems there is no feat to stopping pets, people, and shoes from dragging dirty wet snow and freezing ice into our homes and offices. Not only does this add a few extra hours of clean-up time each week, it can also greatly damage flooring. Wood floors, laminate flooring, tile floors, and carpeting can be destroyed in as little time as one winter season. These elements also cause hazardous conditions for people and employees.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen the most in the wintertime, and mostly due to the fact that floors are not cared for properly. Many worker’s compensation and liability lawsuits can be avoided with simple routine floor care, especially in the cold season. Fortunately, there are ways to combat the winter mess and protect our flooring from salt, snow, ice, and more. Continue reading to learn how to protect your business’s flooring and who to trust for worker’s compensation and slip, trip, and fall accidents lawsuits in Indianapolis.

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Responsible Floor Care and Maintenance

One of the easiest and instant improvements a business owner can make to their office is floor mats. You would be surprised just how much moisture and water these mats can collect with a few steps or stomps. Entrance mats, door mats, kitchen and break room mats, and more can be placed all over the office areas in order to prevent excess moisture on the floor. Not only do these mats collect water and snow, they also reduce the amount of salt that is drawn in by foot traffic. Salt is very damaging to certain floor types, and can cause fading, peeling, deterioration, discoloration, and more. The most important advantage of entrance mats is they reduce conditions for slipping and falling. Floor mats are inexpensive and come in various different sizes, colors, and shapes, so it is easy to find the right mat for the surface you intend to protect.

Wet floor signs are another tool that is widely beneficial to a commercial property. Although people understand that a floor might be wet from winter precipitation, it is a safety precaution to advise customers, employees, and guests that certain areas are wet and slippery. This can also greatly reduce slip, trip, and fall accidents. On extra snowy days, place these signs in areas where traffic is at its highest, mostly by front doors and restrooms. This is where excess water tends to collect from foot traffic. By advising people of a wet floor, a business owner can evade a liability lawsuit for injuries and accidents too. These floor signs can be purchased at any home goods store or hardware store for a reasonable price. It is recommended to have at least two wet floor signs per 500 square feet of property.

The last, but equally if not most important, strategy for winter floor safety and protection is routine maintenance and cleaning. This includes daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning duties, as well as, increased vacuuming. Daily duties include dry mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming all flooring. Weekly duties include wet floor mopping with hot water and soap, dry mopping afterwards, and a thorough sweep. Monthly duties might include floor waxing and sealcoating for added protection and security.

Consult a seasoned personal injury lawyer for accurate information, advice, and instruction for filing a slip and fall injury claim in the case that you are injured at a commercial business for any of these above-mentioned reasons or more. A personal injury law firm retains the proper experience, knowledge, and resources to guide you through the legal process of filing a claim for all kinds of accident types. They can fight for your right to full and fair compensation for your damages and losses.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a slip and fall claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after a serious slip and fall accident on public or private property. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Why Does the Location of a Slip and Fall Accident Matter?

Posted on July 10, 2017 by admin

WHERE your accident takes place is an important aspect of a personal injury claim. Continue reading to learn why.

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Whether your slip and fall accident has developed into an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, the location of the incident is a critical part of the case. The most common places slip and fall accidents tend to occur include big box stores (Costco ®, Walmart®, etc.), grocery stores, restaurants, small businesses, private homes, hotels, resorts, rental homes, apartments, workplace, and public places. Owners and proprietors of these places have a duty of care to ensure their guests, clients, and employees are provided with a safe environment. If anyone in these types of locations fails to maintain a safe premises, or fails to remedy a hazard they knew or should have known about, they can be held liable for any damages and losses incurred by an injured individual.

However, each place also presents their own unique circumstances that can influence the outcome of an insurance claim or lawsuit. Determining who is at-fault for a slip and fall accident is not as easy as it may sound. In fact, it can be quite challenging to prove such fault in court, especially since the law protects business owners from being unfairly held to impossible standards of safety. This is why it is imperative to have an experienced personal injury lawyer manage your claim.

How a Court Identifies Liability in Slip and Fall Location:

🔎 Maintenance Standards – Could the party in question have prevented the accident from occurring had they taken preventative measures? Should they have taken preventative measures? Did they have a duty to do so? This expectation changes depending on the maintenance expectations of a location. For instance, a grocery store chain has a higher duty of care to immediately remedy a slip and fall hazard than a private homeowner in their own residence.

🔎 Level of Control – Did the party in question have any control over the hazard that caused the slip and fall accident? It is fair to hold the party responsible for such conditions they cannot possibly control? A hotel has employees that can cause dangerous conditions for others, making the hotel proprietor liable for slip and fall accidents that result from such negligence; but on the other hand, a landlord of an apartment building may not be responsible for unsafe conditions caused by another tenant to which they have no control over.

🔎 Parties Involved – In some cases, more than one party is to blame for the unsafe conditions that causes a slip and fall accident. Furthermore, the circumstances of an accident can change after the accident takes place depending on how the parties around react. In a store, the degree of involvement by employees or patrons plays a role in the overall liability for the accident.

🔎 Liable Party – Depending on where an accident takes place, the party you sue will vary. For instance, if you are injured in a slip and fall accident in a restaurant, you need to know which person is responsible. In most cases, it is the owner or proprietor. In contrast, if a slip and fall accident happens in a private home, the liable party is likely the homeowner or tenant.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyer

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work around the clock to make sure we recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after sustaining serious slip and fall injuries. Call 317-881-2700 today for information about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, IN.

Necessary Information About Slip and Fall Accident Claims

Posted on December 27, 2016 by admin

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

A slip and fall accident is any incident in which a person slips, trips, or falls due to a hazard or obstruction on another person’s property, and as a result, suffers serious injuries and subsequent losses. Losses can include economic damages like hospital bills, medical expenses, and lost wages; but it can also include non-economic damages like pain and suffering, depending on the circumstances of the case and the extent of injuries suffered by the victim.

The most common hazards and obstructions that cause serious slip and fall accidents include water, snow, ice, spills, unleveled flooring, poor lighting, loose stair rails, and hidden hindrances like holes or gaps in flooring. But slip, trip, and fall accidents can occur from an infinite number of other possibilities.

What to Know

When a slip and fall accident does occur, victims and their families are full of questions. The most important step to take after being injured by slipping and falling is to seek medical attention. From there, you should immediately hire an experienced slip and fall lawyer for professional personal injury representation. They can help you recover compensation to pay for any losses and damages that resulted from your accident. In the meantime, continue reading to learn some of the most important aspects of slip and fall cases if you or someone you know was recently injured in such a way.

Slip and Fall Responsibility

As a property owner, you have a responsibility to maintain a safe and hazard-free premises. If a person slips and injures themselves on your property because you were negligent in upholding this duty of care, you could be held liable for their resulting damages. For this reason, it is helpful to prevent such liability by maintaining a safe premises and also obtaining the proper premise liability insurance from your primary carrier. This is especially important for business owners.

Slip and Fall Personal Injury Claims

Indiana Slip and Fall Claims 317-881-2700

If you or a loved one was recently injured as a result of a slip and fall accident on another person’s property, you might consider filing a slip and fall personal injury claim. TO do so successfully, you will need to present the proper evidence, establish a duty of care for the defendant, prove that they breached their duty of care, and then further prove with additional evidence that their breach caused your injuries and subsequent losses. For this, you will need an experienced slip and fall lawyer.

Slip and Fall Lawyers

As mentioned, retaining a personal injury law firm is an important step in protecting yourself after a slip and fall accident. They can help with exchanges between insurance adjusters, counselors, judges, and more. They have the skills, resources, and knowledge to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after suffering harm as a result of another’s negligence. Generally, personal injury lawyers who specialize in slip and fall claims work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they never collect attorney fees unless they prevail for you.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a slip and fall claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after a serious slip and fall accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 and schedule a consultation with our Indianapolis slip and fall lawyers, today.

3 Lies About Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Posted on September 7, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

In the field of personal injury law, slip, trip, and fall cases add up to a significant amount of claims. From wet floors and icy sidewalks, to unleveled concrete and frayed carpeting, slip and fall claims are wide-spread, which means there are several ways a person can sustain serious injuries. As one of the most common personal injury claims, it’s not surprising that there are a few myths surrounding such cases that might confuse the average slip and fall victim.

So to protect yourself and gain clarity, it is wise to learn the truths to these falsehoods. Continue reading to learn the three most common lies about slip, trip, and fall accident claims.

Slip and Fall Myths

❶ You Don’t Have a Case.

Because injury cases can be so complex, many victims are unclear about another’s liability or duty of care. This leads them to believe anyone that tells them they probably don’t have a case. But there are so many minute and complex details that go into the investigatory process of an accident claim, that a person cannot always trust the legitimacy of a slip and fall case at first-glance. This is why you need to consult a personal injury lawyer.

❷ A Warning Sign Was Posted, So You Can’t Sue.

Although a warning sign is standard procedure to alert others of a potential hazard, it does not always exclude a person or entity’s responsibility in a slip and fall claim. There are several other details that go into accidents such as these, and a sign is not enough to entirely eliminate liability.

❸ You Can Only Recover for Economical Losses.

Many slip and fall victims also become victims of this common lie. In personal injury cases, victims can recover compensation for more than just hospital bills, medical expenses, and lost wages. Depending on the severity of the injuries, the extent of negligence, and more, a court can also award compensation for non-economic damages and even punitive damages if the negligence was egregious.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

With so many myths surrounding slip and fall claims, and since they greatly differ individually, it is important to retain the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer that specializes in slip and fall accident cases. They can thoroughly assess your accident and determine whether or not you have a valid claim. If you do, they will represent your case without collecting a single dollar until they prevail for you. This is called a contingency-fee basis, which you can learn more about here.

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about slip and fall injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, specialize in slip and fall accident cases. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your accident and assess your eligibility for compensation. And we never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Indianapolis slip and
fall lawyer, today.

What Physical Evidence Should I Keep for a Slip and Fall Claim?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, over one million slip and fall victims are sent to the ER each year. With numbers like these, it is important to make floor and walking safety a priority. But regardless of how careful you are, there is always a possibility for accidents to happen, especially when another person or entity has been negligent in maintaining a certain duty of care.

In this case, you would need an experienced personal injury lawyer to navigate your case and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after wrongfully suffering losses and damages as a result of a slip and fall accident. And although your attorney will conduct an in-depth and thorough investigation, it is important to collect certain important pieces of evidence yourself directly after an accident; evidence that your attorney would not have access to days after the incident occurred. These evidences will help prove your case to the courts and the opposing party.

Continue reading to learn what evidence to gather up after being injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident for a stronger chance at winning a fair settlement.

Scene of the Accident Footage

It is understandably difficult to collect footage at the scene of your accident when you are seriously hurt, but it is critical to your case to try. If you are too injured or incapacitated to gather this evidence yourself, you should ask a witness, bystander, friend, relative, or police officer to help you. Take as many pictures and video footage as you can of your injuries and the surroundings.

Include a picture of your entire body, your injuries, the area you slipped, tripped, or fell, as well as, the surface of the floor, nearby signs (or lack of signs), water puddles, snow, liquids, spills, frayed carpeting, unleveled surfaces, poor lighting, dangerous conditions, and more. Collect footage of anything that could have influenced the accident to happen. Video is best, but photos are effective too.

Clothing and Apparel

Another important piece of physical evidence that can help your case is the clothing you were wearing the moment of the accident. This includes your outfit and your shoes, as well as, any outerwear. If you are trying to prove that the floor you injured yourself on was dangerous, you may need to also prove that you were dressed reasonably and that your apparel did not contribute to your accident. Physical photos and clothing can help confirm this. For instance, if a woman was wearing high heeled shoes on a snowy day, this evidence would be used against her in a slip and fall injury case. But if you fell on a dry day wearing sneakers, the evidence helps prove your footwear was not a cause for your fall.

Physical evidence can also include witness statements, video footage, medical records, hospital bills, and more, but it is only a tiny fraction of a victorious slip and fall personal injury case. Fore this reason, it is an important to retain a seasoned accident attorney to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. They have the knowledge and hands-on experience to obtain the settlement you need to cover all your related losses and damages.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Attorneys

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss a slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned slip and fall accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to recover what’s rightfully owed to you after suffering injuries from a slip, trip, or fall accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.