Yes, you can sue a restaurant over a slip & fall accident if their negligence played a role in your injuries and subsequent financial losses. However, many injury victims attempt to negotiate a settlement before a full and thorough assessment of their case.
In this blog post, our legal team addresses what you should do after a slip & fall accident in a restaurant, the types of civil awards (or financial damages) available, and how to avoid common pitfalls when filing your claim.
What to Do After a Restaurant Slip and Fall Accident
Slip & fall accidents at restaurants are generally the result of risks in the immediate area, including loose cords, overcrowding, wet floors, uneven walkways, unmaintained walkways, poor lighting, and more. Restaurant owners and managers owe you and your loved ones a duty of care to keep the premises safe, in good repair, and hazard-free. You have a right to pursue a claim for your medical bills, lost work wages, mental anguish, pain & suffering, and other damages if they were at fault.
While you might be reading this blog post after your accident, it is still helpful to review key steps after an accident. Missing key steps is also a way to quickly jeopardize your case.
Here are the four steps you should take after a restaurant slip and fall accident:
Step 1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health and wellness are number one. Head straight to the emergency room as soon as possible following a restaurant slip & fall accident. Even if you think you are not hurt, it’s so much better to be safe than sorry.
Plus, insurance companies may attempt to deny your claim on the basis that you did not seek medical attention soon enough and somehow caused or worsened your own injuries. Avoid this legal issue by visiting a hospital, accident clinic, or urgent care facility ASAP.
Step 2. Report the Accident
Any time you fall on a restaurant’s property, it is imperative that you or someone in your party alert management immediately. They generally have internal policies and procedures in place for handling a report. Report the incident and avoid downplaying the situation or the injuries.
You can also refuse to issue a statement without your lawyer present.
Remember that accidents occur in a split second. You may not be aware of all existing conditions that caused your injuries. Do not speculate about your case with anyone.
Step 3: Gather Evidence (If Possible)
Depending on the severity of your injuries, an evidence-gathering effort may have been nearly impossible. Although, it is helpful if you or someone else can gather evidence at the restaurant.
Taking pictures with a cellphone of the immediate area is invaluable. Also, taking notes after the event is helpful if you need to jog your memory later down the road. Prioritize your health but gather the evidence before it gets lost if you can.
Step 4: Get Legal Advice BEFORE Filing an Injury Claim
After hospital discharge, it is time to begin work on filing your accident injury claim. Since your statements influence your case’s outcome, you should discuss it with a personal injury attorney before you even give the insurance company your time.
For example, at Grano Law Offices, P.C., we offer injury victims a free case evaluation to determine if their case is a good candidate for legal representation. If not, I will communicate this information. However, if I could add value to a prospective client’s case, I will certainly offer my thoughts and advice.
If you decide to hire a personal injury lawyer, we will generally handle the following throughout our relationship:
- Negotiating with insurance companies and defense-side lawyers
- Preparing required insurance and court documents
- Protecting your rights throughout the entire process
- Gathering evidence, medical records, and witness testimony
- Continued assessment and preparation of your case
- Managing your case proactively so we can go to trial if necessary
- Offering legal advice as questions arise ad hoc
- And much more
Compensation Is Available for New Mexico Restaurant Slip & Fall Accident Injuries
New Mexico takes care of its residents by protecting their legal rights. If you or a family member were injured in a slip and fall accident at a local or chain restaurant, you could receive a settlement to pay for the harm you suffered.
Examples of compensation include:
- Past and current medical expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost work wages and benefits
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Scarring & disfigurement
- Wrongful death awards
- Lost consortium awards
- Other recoverable losses
As you can see, a restaurant slip and fall injury can become expensive for insurers to settle. Consequently, they will go into defensive mode. They may try to downplay your injuries, take your statements out of context, or other tricks and tactics. Do not let them get away with it and hire a New Mexico slip & fall accident injury lawyer to protect your case.
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation Now
Grano Law Offices, P.C. offers injury victims in central and northern New Mexico legal representation when negligent restaurant owners and operators fail to provide a safe environment. Help is here when you need it. Schedule your Free Case Evaluation now by calling (505) 426-8711 or send me a message via the contact form below.
There are no legal fees until you win your case. If you are too injured to travel to my office, we can arrange for a video chat, or I can travel to you.
