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In the wake of a serious slip and fall, you might think that filing a personal injury claim against the negligent property owner isn’t worth the hassle. After all, from juggling doctor’s visits to chipping away at your unexpected medical bills, you probably already have a lot on your plate. 

However, the settlement in a personal injury claim can often be a lifeline in these challenging times. Ultimately, if you are successful, a financial award can give you the funds to pay for your treatment, fill the gaps left by missed paychecks, and ensure that your financial situation doesn’t stand between you and your recovery. 

Let’s look at a few types of damages that might be available to you: 

Medical Costs 

Virtually all the expenses associated with your treatment are recoverable. This can include your initial ambulance trip, doctor’s appointments, X-rays, lab tests, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and any other interventions your healthcare providers have deemed necessary. 

If your doctors believe you’ll require additional procedures down the line—if you suffered a serious spinal injury, for instance, you may need multiple rehabilitation sessions to help you achieve maximum medical improvement—you may be able to factor these expenses into the potential recovery, too. In such situations, your attorney might need to consult with medical specialists to help outline a roadmap for your recovery. 

Lost Income 

Some injuries can prevent you from returning to work, leading to thousands of dollars in missed paychecks. If you suffered a permanent disability, you might never be able to work again. Fortunately, injury victims are entitled to seek compensation for any income— both past and future—that they’ve lost as a direct result of an accident.  

Other Objectively Calculable Losses 

Compensation in a personal injury claim isn’t just limited to the losses listed above. Typically, you should have grounds to seek damages for any costs you wouldn’t have incurred had you not been injured in the accident. Some of these losses might include: 

• Reasonable and necessary replacement services, 
• Property repairs, 
• Alternative transportation, 
• Home care, 
• Domestic help, and 
• Vehicle and home modifications. 

Intangible Losses 

The mental scars left behind by a serious accident can persist even once your physical wounds have healed. For instance, victims often develop psychological disorders because of the trauma they’ve endured. Some injuries can also cause extreme pain and discomfort.  

In California, injury victims have a right to seek compensation for the intangible effects of their conditions. While it can be challenging to demonstrate such losses, there are many strategies—such as psychiatric evaluations, day-in-the-life videos, and personal injury journal entries—that an attorney could employ to help you secure a settlement for non-economic damages. 

Punitive Damages 

If you can show that the at-fault party acted with oppression, malice, wilful misconduct, gross negligence, or fraud, you may be able to build a case for punitive damages. Unlike the other losses listed here, this category of damages is not intended to reimburse the victim for the costs they’ve incurred but rather to punish a liable party to discourage them and others from engaging in similar behavior. 

Discuss Your Case with a California Slip and Fall Attorney 

If you were hurt after slipping, tripping, or falling on someone else’s property, you may be able to recover compensation for many of your losses by filing a claim against the liable party/parties. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can assess your situation, investigate the accident, and review the available evidence to determine which damages might be available to you. 

We can also provide aggressive representation at all stages of proceedings. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our Contact Form to enquire about a free consultation with a California slip and fall attorney.