Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to serious physical and emotional trauma that changes lives. Assessing damages in San Bernardino slip and fall claims requires detailed investigation and legal knowledge.
If you experienced a preventable slip and fall, the experienced attorneys at Valero Law Group are here to help you through this difficult time. The firm’s lawyers have extensive experience in evaluating these claims. An attorney can thoroughly investigate what happened, establish who was at fault, and take legal action to pursue the damages and losses you suffered. Contact our firm for legal support today.
Types of Damages in Slip-and-Fall Claims
Once liability can be proven for a San Bernardino slip-and-fall injury under California law, an individual has the opportunity to recover several types of damages, as applicable.
Medical Expenses
Compensation should cover the costs of all emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and medications. This should also include costs for rehabilitation, medical equipment, and future treatment for ongoing or long-term care needs.
Lost Income
Slip-and-fall injuries that prevent an individual from working can result in substantial lost wages. Damages for lost income would compensate them for the time they were unable to perform their job duties.
A lawyer may use the following types of evidence to prove this loss:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Employer wage verification letters
- Disability or work restriction forms from a physician
- Timecards or attendance records
- Expert testimony on lost earning capacity
An individual can also recover diminished earning potential when their injury affects their long-term work capacity or results in permanent disability.
Pain and Suffering
This type of compensation covers physical pain, trauma, and daily life limitations caused by the injury. The severity, recovery duration, and types of medical treatment would influence the amount.
Mental Anguish
Slip-and-fall victims may endure emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, sleep disruption, or fear of falling again. Damages for mental anguish compensate for these psychological effects and their impact on a victim’s quality of life.
Loss of Consortium
Damages for loss of consortium apply when a severe injury affects the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family. These damages may compensate for the loss of companionship, affection, intimacy, guidance, and household support. An attorney can use testimony from family members and mental health professionals to demonstrate the extent of this loss.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
This category of damages compensates for the inability to engage in activities once enjoyed due to physical limitations that result from an injury. For example, a slip-and-fall victim who suffers a hip fracture may be unable to hike, dance, garden, or participate in family outings the way they once did. Call the firm to find out if a claim qualifies for any of these damages.
Who Is Liable in a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Liability in a slip-and-fall accident typically falls on the property owner, business operator, landlord, or other party responsible for maintaining safe premises. These parties may be liable if they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors.
In some cases, contractors, maintenance companies, or government entities may also share liability, depending on where and how the accident occurred. An attorney can help identify liability in a San Bernardino slip-and-fall accident claim.
Speak With a Lawyer About Assessing Damages in Slip-and-Fall Claims in San Bernardino
You may be entitled to compensation if injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, but you must prove the damages you deserve. The attorneys at Valero Law Group have years of experience assessing damages in San Bernardino slip and fall claims. You can count on the firm’s lawyers to pursue the compensation you deserve while recovering from your injury. Call today for a free initial consultation.