Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injuries here in New Jersey. Whether you are in a store or walking on the sidewalk, you may trip over an unseen obstacle in your path and end up on the ground. If this happens to you, you are going to want to get compensated for your injuries. This may include your medical and rehabilitation costs, your lost wages from time away from work, and any pain and suffering you received. This is why you will need to retain an experienced personal injury attorney to help file your claim and guide you through the process. But while you are waiting to get a settlement for your slip and fall injuries, you are running up bills and incurring costs, while missing out on pay from your job. This is why you will want to know how long a settlement will take.
How Long Do Settlements Take?
In general, it can take several months or even a year to get a reasonable settlement offer for your personal injury claim in a slip and fall case. This can vary depending on a number of factors addressed below. In any event, you are going to want to file a claim for your injuries as soon as possible after the slip and fall incident has occurred.
After you have been injured, you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your case. This will require finding one with experience in the area who has a track record of successfully representing people injured in slip and fall accidents. Next, you will need to gather information for your case, including the identity of the property owner of the place where the accident happened, any witnesses who saw you fall, and the insurance company that has insured the property. Your attorney will then send a demand letter to the insurer, setting forth your injuries and the amount you are requesting in compensation.
Fortunately, in most situations, insurance companies will offer a settlement in slip and fall cases, rather than taking them to trial. This is important as a trial can greatly increase the amount of time you will need to wait in order to be compensated for your injuries and reimbursed for your expenses.
What Factors Can Influence the Length of Time?
There are a number of factors that can influence the length of time it will take to get a settlement in your slip-and-fall case. For example, if you are more severely injured, this may take longer since your attorney and the adjuster from the insurance company will have to determine the full cost of your medical and rehabilitation expenses. They will also have to figure out how long your rehabilitation will take, and may have to see about your ability to go back to work.
Another factor that could complicate the settlement is any liability issues. Sometimes, it is unclear who is responsible for your injury. For example, you may have been injured in a building but it may be at the office of a tenant. This will require the parties to figure out who is at fault and which insurance company will have to cover your injuries.
This is similar to case complexity, which can also cause a settlement to be delayed. In general, if a case is more complicated as to causation and liability, it will take longer to settle your claim. Slip and fall cases that are more straightforward are often easier to settle.
The final factor is the insurance company involved. Some insurance companies have developed a reputation for playing hardball, while others are more open to resolving cases quickly. Unfortunately, you have no influence over this, as the property owner is the one who places the insurance and chooses the company. The amount of insurance also influences this as some property owners pay for more coverage than others. If the insurance policy has greater limits, then it is more likely you will get an acceptable settlement offer.
Contact Our Slip & Fall Attorney in New Jersey
The experienced slip and fall attorneys at The Cassidy Law Firm will provide you with the representation you need to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We have the experience you need to successfully handle your claim. Contact our office today.