When you slip or trip, you’re probably able to get up, brush yourself off, and go about your day—most of the time. What if you were seriously hurt the last time you fell, though, and incurred a lot more in damages than a bruised ego? What if your injuries were so severe, in fact, that they demanded medical care?
Heading to the emergency room after slipping or tripping might seem uncommon, but thousands of people across the country do so every single day. Thankfully, those who sustain injuries through no fault of their own are usually entitled to compensation.
If you slipped and fell in an accident that could have been prevented had the property owner exercised reasonable care, you may be able to seek funds for the following damages:
1. Injury-Related Expenses
Virtually all the expenses you wouldn’t have incurred had you not been injured are recoverable. Medical bills are perhaps the most obvious example, but you can also include the cost of things like reasonable and necessary replacement services, home care, and house/vehicle modifications for accommodating disabilities.
2. Lost Income
If you’re unable to work while recovering from your injuries, the wages you lose as a result are considered an indirect expense. As such, they can be included in your damages claim.
3. Non-Economic Damages
When it comes to serious injuries, the psychological and emotional impacts can be just as devastating and the physical effects. Thankfully, California tort law recognizes as much, so personal injury claimants are entitled to compensation for their non-monetary losses. Examples include pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and emotional distress.
California statutes also recognize the fact that spouses of accident victims tend to suffer in their own unique ways. As such, the husbands and wives of injured parties can file their own damages claim in pursuit of loss of consortium. This refers to the loss of love, society, affection, and companionship they incur because of their spouse’s condition.
4. Punitive Damages
Although most slip and fall claims don’t warrant punitive damages, they’re worth mentioning since they’re still a recoverable loss—in some scenarios. Generally speaking, a personal injury claimant can seek a punitive award if the liable party’s conduct constituted malice, fraud, or oppression.
Speak with a Long Beach Slip and Fall Attorney
Your Injuries Are Personal to Me
At the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, we help injured parties put their lives back together after they’ve been wronged by others. If you were seriously hurt because a property owner or occupier failed to maintain their premises, we’ll help you take the steps needed to hold them accountable under the doctrine of premises liability.
Our tenacious team has secured numerous six- and seven-figure payouts on behalf of accident victims and their families. To set up a free initial consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Long Beach, complete the Contact Form on our website or call (562) 206-1939.