Slip and fall, or trip and fall accidents, are the most common types of accidents that occur away from roads and traffic. They occur regularly at home, in your back yard, in parks, on sidewalks and in any public or privately owned space or building.
Most property owners who are open for people to use, such as store owners, have liability insurance which covers them if a member of the public is injured on their property.
So, if you are visiting a dollar store, for instance, and you trip over a box on the floor which has been left around carelessly, then you have the right to claim compensation. You must be able to prove that the store managers or their employees were negligent.
If you do go ahead with a claim, you will find that your doctor will be able to confirm your injuries and any pain and suffering you have experienced.
Making a Claim After a Slip and Fall at Any Dollar Store
If you have an accident at any store and are injured, there is a possibility of claiming compensation for such things as medical costs, as well as lost earnings if you cannot return to work straight away. You file a personal injury claim with the store’s insurance provider, usually with the help of a personal injury attorney.
You will need to show that the management or employees acted in a negligent way and that this negligence caused an accident which led to your injuries. Insurers tend to doubt the genuineness of these sorts of claims.
You must be sure that you have sufficient evidence both of your injuries and the fact that they were caused by some hazard or other that could have been prevented in the store.
Eye witnesses, your doctor’s report, any records from a hospital or other medical center and bills that are related to your injury are all useful evidence that can help support your claim.
How a Doctor Can Help You With a Personal Injury Claim
A doctor cannot help you with legal advice, but can determine how serious your injuries are, provide advice or instructions for further treatment and give his or her opinion about the degree of pain and suffering you have experienced. It is unlikely that an insurer will take much notice of your claim unless you have been to your doctor and obtained a report.
A doctor will be crucial if you have particularly serious injuries resulting from your fall because this will determine just how much compensation for future medical treatment, rehabilitation and loss of earnings you would be claiming.
In most personal injury cases, an attorney will be able to negotiate a satisfactory settlement if the evidence is sufficient without having to take the case to court.
However, if the attorney advises you to take the case to trial, then your doctor may be asked to provide testimony before court which can help to determine the validity of your claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Before Filing a Claim
The priority immediately after an injury from a slip and fall in a store is to see your doctor and get medical treatment as advised. When you are recovering and believe that your injury was the fault of the store, then you should contact a personal injury attorney before making a claim. The attorney can assess your circumstances and advise you about your legal options.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Dollar General, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
