How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth in Washington, DC?
Slipping, tripping, or falling unexpectedly for any reason can cause serious injuries to people of any age, especially to young children and elderly adults. When this type of accident occurs on another person’s property, you could potentially have the owner or manager of the premises pay for your injuries and losses. This is dependent on being able to prove that the owner or manager was legally negligent in some way.
The exact amount of compensation you can demand after a trip and fall will vary depending on your unique circumstances. Anyone with questions about how much their specific slip and fall case in Washington, DC, is worth could get the answers they need from our qualified team. With that said, here is a basic overview of what goes into valuating this type of claim.
Compensable Losses After a Trip and Fall Injury
It is important to understand that the purpose of filing a lawsuit over any kind of slip and fall injury is not to punish a specific landowner for their careless behavior. Instead, the goal is to reimburse the injured person for specific losses they have found themselves dealing with as a direct result of their injury.
“Compensable damages” in this regard can be economic or non-economic in nature, meaning that they can be losses with objective financial values or losses with more subjective values based on that person’s unique experiences. A typical slip and fall claim in Washington, DC, might seek restitution for things like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Permanent loss of ability to work or short-term wage loss
- Lost or damaged personal property
- Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
- Emotional effects of an accident, including psychological trauma
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
While it is rare, courts may also award additional punitive damages to an injured person in extreme situations involving egregious negligence or malicious actions by a defendant.
Factors Impacting the Value of a Slip and Fall Claim
Since the purpose of a slip and fall claim is to help make up for specific losses sustained by an injured person, the main factor affecting the total compensation they could receive is the severity of their injuries. The more long-lasting and debilitating a slip and fall injury is, the more dramatically it will affect the injured person’s life and the more compensable losses they would likely experience.
Additionally, the amount and quality of evidence the injured party has to support their lawsuit or settlement demand can significantly impact their case’s value. Simply stating that injuries are present is not enough. There must be measurable proof which can be in the form of medical bills, expert witnesses, photo documentation of injuries, and more.
Let Our Team Determine the Worth of Your Washington, DC Slip and Fall Case
One of the most important things you can do to boost the value of your Washington, DC, slip and fall case is retaining and working closely with a seasoned attorney. Insurance companies working on a defendant’s behalf will generally not think twice about pressuring or even manipulating you into accepting a lowball settlement offer. Having strong legal representation on your side will show them you mean business and will not accept anything but the full amount of compensation you deserve. Reach out to begin reviewing the details of your accident.
