Slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries. If you were injured in a fall that wasn’t your fault, you may be wondering how much money you can recover.
So, what is the average settlement amount for a slip and fall accident? Settlements can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on case-specific factors.
Slip and fall claims have a high burden of proof. Our Tacoma slip and fall accident lawyers can help you build a strong case and obtain compensation for your injuries.
What Is the Average Slip and Fall Settlement?
Since every case is different, there is no average settlement for a slip and fall accident. Claimants with minor injuries may receive a few thousand dollars, while those who suffer severe injuries or permanent disability may receive payouts worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The value of your claim will depend on the extent to which the accident has impacted your life and the strength of your evidence. Two people who experience similar falls could receive very different settlements based on the circumstances in which those falls occurred.
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What Factors Affect Slip and Fall Settlement Amounts?
Several factors influence how much compensation you may receive after a slip and fall accident, including:
- Injury severity: Doctors may run tests like a lumbar puncture to check the cerebrospinal fluid, along with blood work and imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging. These tests help them make a more accurate diagnosis and decide on the right course of treatment.
- Medical expenses: The cost of hospital visits, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing care plays a major role in determining compensation.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages and reduced future earning capacity may increase the value of your claim.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life can also be included in your settlement.
- Strength of your evidence: Clear proof that a property owner was negligent can significantly improve your chances of a larger settlement.
- Insurance coverage: The amount of available insurance coverage sometimes limits how much compensation can realistically be recovered.
What If I’m Partially At Fault for the Accident?
Many people assume they cannot recover compensation if they were partly responsible for a slip and fall accident. However, under Washington’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages even if you are up to 99% at fault for what happened.
Under this rule, responsibility for an accident can be divided between multiple parties. If you are found partially at fault, your personal injury settlement amount is simply reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
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When Is a Property Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall?
Under Washington law, property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. If they fail to fix or warn about a dangerous condition and someone gets hurt, they can be held responsible. Some situations that may lead to liability include:
- Wet or slippery floors: Spilled liquids or recently mopped floors without warning signs can create hazardous conditions.
- Uneven walkways: Cracked sidewalks, broken pavement, or loose flooring may increase the risk of falls.
- Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in stairwells or parking lots can make hazards difficult to see.
- Cluttered walkways: Objects left in hallways or store aisles can create tripping hazards.
- Unsafe staircases: Missing handrails, worn steps, or loose carpeting can make stairs dangerous.
To win your case, you generally need to show that the property owner knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to address it.
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What Types of Evidence Do You Need in a Slip and Fall Case?
Strong evidence is one of the most important elements of a successful slip and fall claim. The more clearly you can show that a dangerous condition caused the accident, the stronger your case will be. Evidence that can support your claim may include:
- Photographs of the scene: Pictures of the hazard that caused the fall can help demonstrate the existence of unsafe conditions.
- Incident reports: Many businesses create written reports after an accident occurs on their property.
- Witness statements: People who saw the accident can provide valuable testimony about what happened.
- Medical records: Documentation of your injuries and treatment helps establish the extent of the harm caused by the fall.
- Surveillance footage: Security cameras sometimes capture the accident or the hazardous condition that caused it.
Obtaining this evidence early on can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of receiving a fair personal injury settlement.
Consult Our Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
Insurance companies use all of their resources to limit payouts to accident victims. If you were injured in an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, the slip and fall accident attorneys at NextLaw can negotiate with the insurance company and pursue a fair settlement on your behalf.
The team at NextLaw has represented thousands of clients across Washington State, and we are ready to fight for you. Call Dan Next to schedule a free case evaluation and discuss your legal options.
Call or text (253) 238-2558 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form