If You Slipped and Fell at a Restaurant, Avoid Making These Mistakes During Your Personal Injury Claim

 Posted on May 09, 2023 in Personal Injury

 Personal injury claims are generally filed by individuals who suffered an injury caused by some other party’s negligence.  If you slipped and fell at a restaurant, you may be entitled to compensation. However, you must avoid making critical mistakes to file a successful personal injury claim. Contact a personal injury attorney to ensure that you understand your legal options at this time. 

Mistakes to Avoid During Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim 

In Illinois, here are the mistakes you do not want to make when dealing with a slip and fall accident claim including:

• Missing claim deadlines– One of the biggest mistakes that can ruin a personal injury claim is not filing in time. In Illinois, you have two years to file your claim. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence, difficulty recalling key events surrounding the accident, and other costly obstacles jeopardizing your claim. 

• Not seeking prompt medical care – If you were injured due to someone’s negligence, such as a restaurant manager who knowingly failed to fix a leaky ceiling, resulting in wet floors, and then also failed to put out a wet surface warning sign, leading to you slipping and falling, you need to get your injuries checked out by a medical professional. The first reason is that by not seeking medical treatment, there is a chance that your condition will deteriorate and possibly cause lasting damage to your body. The second reason is that if you do not have medical records to demonstrate the severity of your claim, insurance companies may doubt or refuse your claim altogether. Do not make the mistake of not getting medical care.

• Not getting an incident report - The restaurant should have you fill out an incident report. This is important to note the date, time, and circumstances of the injury.  

• Losing track of expenses– Document your medical bills, prescription receipts, and hospital records, and document all other expenses related to your claim. Comprehensive records of your expenses will be important as you work to prove your financial loss caused by the accident. 

• Blabbing on social media – Insurance companies will investigate your social media profile, looking for proof showing you are not as injured as you claim. They may also try to prove that your actions contributed to your injuries. Avoid posting details about your case on social media and set up strict privacy settings. 

• Going about your case alone – These cases are legally complex and procedurally intricate. Without an experienced attorney helping you, your claim will likely be unsuccessful. Hire an attorney who is well-versed in personal injury litigation to give yourself the best chance to pursue a favorable outcome in your case.

Contact a Northbrook Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

For experienced legal counsel, contact the Cook County personal injury lawyers with Gruzmark Law, Ltd.. Call 847-729-7660 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/personalinjury/