There are several factors that influence how long a slip and fall claim will take to settle. These factors can range from a few months to a few years. Although most claims are settled outside of a courtroom or before going to trial, some will have to go to trial.
Slip and fall victims should therefore understand the steps involved in a slip and fall claim so that they can anticipate how long their claim may take to resolve and be prepared when pursuing it.
Steps to Take After Slip and Fall Accident
You need to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you were injured in your accident. You should also try to collect evidence from the accident site, such as photos that prove the cause of the fall.
If anyone witnessed the accident, get their names and phone numbers as well. In addition, you should inform the store or other business’s representative if you slip and fall, since they may be required to file an accident report and contact their insurance company or risk management company.
Finally, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so that they can file a claim on your behalf with the property owner and insurance companies, and they can preserve evidence like video footage that can assist you in proving the circumstances of the accident. The duration of time required to gather evidence for your claim could range from a few weeks to a few months.
How to File a Slip and Fall Injury Complaint?
Unless the property owner and their insurance company offer you a reasonable settlement, you will only have the option of filing a lawsuit. Serving and filing your complaint can take between a few days and a few weeks. Afterward, you will have several weeks to submit an Answer to your Complaint to the party or parties you are suing.
Preparation for a Case
Once you file a lawsuit in court, you will both need to engage in case preparation, which mostly entails pretrial discovery, which is the exchange of information and evidence between the parties to the lawsuit.
To determine the cause of your accident and how you sustained the injuries you claim, you may need to hire medical and engineering specialists. If there is a great deal of evidence, case preparation can take many months or even years.
Negotiations Relating to Settlement
As both parties develop their evidence, they may involve themselves in settlement negotiations in order to avoid the expense and risk of a trial. Informally, attorneys may arrange settlement talks or formally, the court may order and arrange mediation or arbitration before the parties are authorized to schedule a trial. It may take several weeks to several months for this process to be completed.
Proceedings & Judgment
A trial will be scheduled if the case cannot be resolved. Court schedules are usually packed, so trials are often scheduled months in advance. As far as the trial itself is concerned, it can take anywhere from a day to a few weeks, depending on how much evidence each side has. Siman Law Firm in Los Angeles can assist you in this regard.