Believe it or not, slip and fall accidents are quite common. The majority of the time, a slip and fall accident in Philadelphia isn’t even your fault. So, what do you do if you have suffered a personal injury from a slip and fall? Additionally, how do you determine pain and suffering damages in a slip and fall accident?
Who is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident?
When there is negligence present, someone must be held accountable. If you suffer an injury from slipping and falling in a store, and the store is at fault, the owner of the store will be held responsible. If you slip and fall in a public park and negligence was found by the groundskeeper, the city will usually be held responsible. Finally, if you slip and fall on private property, the property owner will be held responsible if neglect played a part in the accident.
Injuries Caused by a Slip and Fall
Common personal injuries include:
- Bruises
- Scrapes
- Cuts
- Hip fractures
- Shoulder dislocations
- Head trauma
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Spinal injuries
Determining Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident
After being injured in an accident, you are eligible to be awarded damages if neglect was found on someone else’s part. Damages are the amount of money you get compensated for to cover medical bills, income lost, pain, and suffering. Each state has its own set of rules and limits when it comes to the amount of damages allowed to be awarded.
Economic damages pay for medical bills, income lost, and any property damage caused by the accident. Medical bills can include ambulance fees, hospital fees, surgery fees, medications, and reoccurring care.
Non-economic damages pay for pain and suffering caused by the accident. Emotional and mental pain fall under this category and includes fear, grief, and insomnia.
Every accident and claim are different, but most cases will award more in economic damages than non-economic damages.
When it comes to determining the amount awarded, there are a few different methods. A computer program is often used, considering all details such as injuries sustained and the total cost of medical bills. Another way to figure out the amount of damages to be awarded is to take the total amount of medical bills, loss of income, etc., and multiply that by a number from 1 to 5. The number will be determined by the severity of the injuries sustained.
There really isn’t an accurate way to predict the amount of damages you could receive after a slip and fall accident. Each case is different and should be examined closely with the help of a trusting personal injury attorney.