If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have mounting hospital bills on top of lost wages from time taken off of work. A common question in these scenarios is, how much should I expect to get from an average slip and fall settlement?
The answer is that every case is unique, and the exact amount you get will depend on your specific circumstances. The skilled attorneys at Thistle Law can help you gain a deeper understanding of how much your case might be worth, by examining the circumstances and costs associated with your accident.
Medical Bills
If your slip and fall claim is valid, then any claim will be worth, at minimum, the amount of your medical bills. They will be the main guide to how much your settlement will be worth.
When calculating what your medical bills are, remember to include present and future bills. If your fall has caused injuries that may need medical attention in the future, that amount should be added into the total value of your claim.
How to Calculate Pain and Suffering Compensation for a Slip and Fall Claim
Pain and suffering are often difficult to calculate because they are what is known as “non-economic damages” in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Whereas economic damages are financial losses you incurred due to bills or lost wages, non-economic damages are more subjective.
When the courts attempt to place a dollar value on your pain and suffering, it can often be difficult because no two people experience pain in the same way. The courts may take into consideration:
- How your home life has been altered
- How your employment has been affected
- The expected duration of your injuries
- General medical prognosis
Calculating pain and suffering losses are one of the many ways in which a skilled lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim.
Lost Wages From Employment
Recovering from an injury can take months or years in some cases, which means you may lose wages from your employer. You will need to provide proof of what you typically earn and the amount of time you have missed or will miss from work, and your employer will need to verify this information.
If your injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work, then you may be eligible to claim “lost earning capacity”. This money may be allocated to pay you to be trained in another field, or be paid as a lump sum to replace your lost earnings.
Other Expenses
Incidental expenses that you incur as a result of your injury may also factor into your claim. As long as there is a logical connection between the expense and your injury, then you will be able to add these amounts to your other bills. These kinds of incidental expenses could be things like:
- Money for gas driving to doctors appointments
- Childcare for times when you had to go to appointments
- Hiring a house cleaning service if your injuries left you unable to perform certain chores
You will need to keep receipts for all of these services to prove them to the court.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Determine the Average Amount I Could Win From a Slip and Fall Case?
Ultimately, resolving a slip and fall case will rely on careful negotiations between your side and the individual or business entity responsible for your injuries. You will have to make a strong case to receive a payment that accurately reflects the true extent of economic and non-economic damages you have suffered as a result of the other party’s negligence.
An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help you decide the appropriate amount to claim in damages, as well as help you decide when to go to court, and when it is wise to settle without taking a case to trial. With over 80 years of experience, the attorneys at Thistle Law have the knowledge and resources to help you compile the evidence you need to bring a successful case, and can provide you a free consultation to help you more accurately understand the amount you may be eligible for. Contact our office today by calling 215-525-6824 or by filling out this form.