Slips and falls contribute to more than 1 million emergency room visits each year in the U.S. Hip fractures, brain injuries, internal bleeding—the injuries suffered in these accidents can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, insurance companies and property owners have a financial incentive to dispute and deny premises liability claims, so recovering fair compensation can be challenging.
The Jackson slip and fall attorneys at Coxwell & Associates can answer your claims-related questions, calculate your damages, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We have recovered nearly $300 million for our valued clients.
How to Prove Damages in a Mississippi Slip and Fall Claim
In a previous blog, we discussed how to prove negligence in a slip and fall claim. If you were injured due to a hazard that should have been resolved, or because the property owner or occupier did not provide adequate warning, you may have grounds for a claim.
But proving negligence and liability is only part of the equation. You will also have to prove the damages that you and your family have incurred.
Lost income, diagnostic tests, prescription medication, surgeries, and other medical needs can cost a veritable fortune after a slip and fall. But you should not have to cover these losses out of your own pocket if your injury occurred due to the negligence of the property owner or occupier.
Mississippi law allows personal injury claimants to pursue compensation for economic damages, which include medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, home care, home modifications, and other objectifiable losses; and non-economic damages, which include intangible losses like mental anguish and pain and suffering. In rare cases, when a defendant acted with actual malice, actual fraud, or gross negligence, punitive damages may be recovered.
If your loved one died in a slip and fall, you can also pursue compensation for loss of care, love, protection, and companionship; burial and funeral costs; and lost retirement benefits and pension.
Depending on the specific losses that you and your family have incurred, your Jackson slip and fall lawyer may use the following evidence to prove your damages:
- X-rays, prescription records, and other medical documents;
- Medical bills;
- Tax returns, paystubs, and other proof of lost wages;
- Proof of lost pension and retirement benefits;
- Receipts for home modifications;
- Your journal about your injuries;
- Photos of your injuries;
- Financial expert testimony; and
- Medical expert testimony.
The personal injury attorneys at Coxwell & Associates will make sure your claim includes all damages to which you may be entitled. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation as quickly as possible, but we are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary.
Discuss Your Case with a Jackson Slip and Fall Attorney Today!
Each premises liability claim is unique, so it is important that you hire a talented injury attorney who has the resources and experience to guide you through the unique complexities of your particular case. The accident lawyers at Coxwell & Associates have been representing Mississippians for more than 35 years, and we know how to find success in court. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (601) 265-7766 or click here
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.