Hardware stores are some of the most frequented stores in the country. They are packed with all sorts of do it yourself items like paint, tools, timber and important fittings for the home. Just because it’s popular it doesn’t mean there is sufficient staff employed to ensure the store remains safe for customers to use. Items can fall off shelves injuring customers seriously while slip and fall injuries from spilt paint, glues and cleaning products often remain on the floor for far too long creating numerous slip and fall accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident and need to seek medical treatment you may be able to file a claim for personal injury compensation from the accident as long as it’s not your fault.
How Soon Should You Settle with a Home Improvement Store?
Home improvement stores straddle all the states so the time given to file a PI claim may vary but typically for a private company you are given 2 or 3 years to file the claim. This means you don’t need to rush into making a claim as a claim that is filed too quickly may not take into consideration the full financial effect of the injury. The sorts of things that need to be established are the length of time it’s likely to take you to recover.
This is dependent on a medical report written by your doctor who may not be willing to commit to a time frame until the effects of the treatment can be seen. For example, serious facial lacerations from tripping and falling onto a sharp object may mean cosmetic surgery is required before you can return to work. Of course if the injury is less severe then it’s easier to calculate the value of a PI claim.
Why You Should Take Your Time to Settle
One of the important things about all PI claims is ensuring you have sufficient evidence to prove they were responsible for the hazard that caused your injury. If you had to get medical treatment quickly you won’t have had time to take down the names and contact details of any witnesses to the accident. You will have to find reliable eye witnesses for the insurer. It may be possible to view footage on their security cameras. As soon as you are sure you have the proof you can start calculating the value of your injury. This will include:
- providing receipts for any medical treatment you have paid for out of your own pocket
- the doctor’s report providing up to date information on any more medical treatment you may require
- an accurate assessment of loss in earnings until you are able to return to work
- an amount for the pain and suffering you have to endure from an injury that’s not your fault
How an Attorney Can Help You
It may not seem too difficult to file a PI claim on your own but the insurer will make it as difficult as they can to ensure you don’t get any compensation at all. However an experienced PI attorney will work hard on your behalf to get together a claim that will be hard for them to dispute.
Additional Resources
- How to Prove Home Depot’s Negligence Caused a Slip and Fall
- What Should I Do If I Am Hit By A Home Depot Truck?
*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 Home Depot, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
