When it comes to slip and falls, determining liability can be challenging. Experts can attest that many factors often contribute to slip and fall accidents, including hazardous conditions and negligence on the part of the property owner.
If you slipped on someone else’s property and you want to seek compensation, though, there’s no way around determining liability. For your claim to have even a chance of yielding a payout, you must present lots of compelling evidence of liability. This generally includes testimony from relevant experts.
Let’s take a look at the kinds of experts that most often contribute to slip and fall claims:
1. Medical Experts
Various medical specialists, including doctors and physical therapists, can confirm the extent of your injuries and the long-term effects they may have on your life. These experts can also provide testimony regarding the likelihood that you’ll need future medical treatments and what kind of impact those will have on your life. Such testimony can help establish the amount of compensation you deserve.
2. Forensic Experts
Also called accident reconstructionists, forensic experts can provide valuable insight into the causes of a slip and fall. They can examine the scene of the accident and then work backward to look for evidence of hazardous conditions or other factors that may have contributed to the incident. This evidence can help establish liability on the part of the property owner or occupier.
3. Safety Experts
A safety expert can establish whether the property owner or occupier failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment. If the accident occurred at a place of business, for example, these experts might be asked to speak on industry standards and how the property owner failed to meet them. They can include building inspectors, engineers, and architects who know the local code.
4. Economic Experts
An economic expert can help quantify the financial impact of a slip and fall accident. They can calculate lost wages, medical expenses, and other financial losses resulting from the accident, for example, so you can seek every dollar you deserve.
5. Vocational Experts
If your injuries are so severe that they inhibit you from returning to the workforce at all, your legal team is going to want to consult a vocational expert. This professional can evaluate your anticipated career trajectory prior to the accident to help calculate your lost earning capacity. They should also be able to explain the demands of your position and why you’re unable to go back to work even after reaching maximum medical improvement.
Call (562) 206-1939 for a Free Consultation with a Long Beach Slip and Fall Attorney
Your Injuries Are Personal to Me
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, turn to the Law Office of Michael D. Waks. We have secured numerous six- and seven-figure settlements and judgements on behalf of our valued clients. Call (562) 206-1939 or submit our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Long Beach.