When you slip and fall on someone else’s property or at work and suffer an injury, you might consider filing a lawsuit. At the beginning of your case, you may ask yourself “what is the average payout for a slip and fall injury” or “how do I prove that I suffered an injury from the fall?”
Chances are that your injury prevents you from working, leading to lost wages and difficulty paying bills. At Nova Legal Funding, we provide pre-settlement lawsuit loans for plaintiffs who need cash to keep them afloat while waiting for their settlement. If you ever suffer a serious injury from a slip and fall and cannot wait for your settlement, contact us to discuss your situation.
What is the Average Slip and Fall Settlement?
Since every slip and fall case involves different types of injuries, it’s not really possible to calculate average slip and fall settlement amounts.
In most personal injury cases, there are several factors that affect the value of a claim, including:
- The severity of your injuries,
- Medical bills for treatment of your injuries,
- Lost wages,
- Negligence, and
- Liability.
While there’s no way to calculate average slip and fall compensation, lawyers often use these factors to determine the potential value of a case.
What are Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Claims?
Slip and fall injuries range anywhere from minor scrapes or bruises to permanent disabilities. While there are a wide range of injuries plaintiffs suffer as a result of a slip and fall, the most common injuries involve the head, back, neck, and pelvis.
Head Injuries
This category includes traumatic brain injuries and concussions. The most common mild to severe brain trauma symptoms are:
- Headaches,
- Loss of consciousness,
- Vomiting,
- Sleep disturbances,
- Blurry vision,
- Ringing in ears,
- Difficulty concentrating,
- Numbness in extremities,
- Slurred speech,
- Combative behavior,
- Convulsions, and
- Seizures.
Often, sustaining a head injury leads to problems with mobility, balance, memory, and behavioral or cognitive issues. More serious head injuries require different types of treatment, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech or language therapy, psychiatric therapy, and surgery.
Back or Neck Injuries
For many, a slip and fall results in slipped or broken discs along their spinal column, compression fractures, spinal cord injuries, and muscle sprains. These types of injury usually require chronic pain management and surgery and lead to temporary or permanent disability. Emergency signs and symptoms of a serious injury include:
- Difficulty breathing;
- Extreme pain in neck, back, or head;
- Loss of bowel or bladder control; and
- No or little sensation in arms and legs.
If you or a loved one falls and experiences these symptoms, don’t attempt to get up. Get medical attention immediately to avoid long-term negative effects, including paralysis.
Pelvic Injuries
This category includes any injury to the bones that make up the pelvis. Usually, slip and fall accidents that result in pelvic injury cause fractures to the tailbone, hip bones, and sacrum. People with osteoporosis or other bone-weakening conditions are at high risk for pelvic fractures when they slip and fall.
Typically, the symptoms of a pelvic fracture include:
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or groin;
- Trouble standing up or walking;
- Pain in the hip, back, or groin that worsens when walking;
- Abdominal pain;
- Bleeding from the urethra, vagina, or rectum; and
- Trouble urinating.
Serious pelvic fractures often require surgery to put the pelvic bones back together. Pelvic injuries can also be life-threatening if they cause internal bleeding or damage to other organs.
Tendon or Ligament Tears
When someone falls, they usually try to catch themselves or brace for the impact. These sudden movements often put lots of strain on ligaments and tendons, causing a tear. Tendon or ligament tears are amongst the least serious slip and fall injuries, but can still cause permanent damage.
Symptoms of ligament or tendon tears include:
- A loud popping or snapping sound;
- Severe pain;
- Rapid bruising;
- Weakness of your joint;
- Inability to move or use the affected limb;
- Inability to bear weight on the affected limb;
- Internal joint deformity.
Most tendon or ligament injuries get better with physical therapy and rest. More severe cases often require surgery and lead to reduced mobility, muscle weakness, or even permanent disability.
What Types of Injuries Typically Result in the Largest Slip and Fall Settlements?
Since average slip and fall compensation depends on the severity of the injury, head and back injuries often result in larger settlements.
For example, our internal research shows that a majority of Nova Legal Funding clients who need a spinal fusion surgery after a fall recover anywhere between $300,000 and $600,000 in their settlement.
What Evidence is Most Critical in a Slip and Fall Case?
Witness testimonies, photographs of the site of your fall, and medical treatment records are the most critical evidence in a slip and fall case. To win your case, you must prove that the owner of the property negligently ignored the hazard which caused your injury.
Photographs serve as visual evidence of hazards and witness testimonies help back up your side of the story. In addition, records of your medical treatment including a statement from your doctor help prove that your injury happened due to the fall.
Where do Slip and Fall Injuries Commonly Occur?
Slip and fall injuries happen everywhere. Generally, any slippery surface or walkway obstruction increases the risk of a slip and fall accident. This includes:
- Snow, ice, or rain;
- Unsecured carpets;
- Water, oil, or cleaning solutions on the floor;
- Mops or buckets left in a hallway;
- Damaged or poorly designed steps and stairs;
- Stairways without bannisters or hand railings;
- Potholes; and
- Damaged sidewalks.
Any of these hazards can cause a serious slip and fall injury, regardless of the victim’s age or physical health.
How Do I Know if My Slip and Fall Lawyer is Doing a Good Job?
When you suffer a slip and fall injury, you need a personal injury lawyer who leaves no stone unturned. The best slip and fall lawyers will:
- Visit the scene of your accident to gather evidence or take pictures;
- Obtain accident or police reports on your behalf;
- Talk to potential witnesses of your accident;
- Get copies of all of your medical records and bills related to the case;
- Respond promptly to your calls, emails, texts, and letters;
- Tell you the average payout for a slip and fall injury similar to yours;
- Keep you up-to-date with the status of your case; and
- Communicates with the defense attorney and insurance adjuster on your behalf.
Avoid lawyers who have a bad reputation or force you to talk to a case manager. Chances are they won’t put in the work necessary to win your case.
If you have a good lawyer, you want to give them as much time as possible to fight your case. Usually, defendants try to get financially desperate plaintiffs to accept a small settlement amount. To get a higher slip and fall settlement amount, you need to pursue compensation for as long as possible.
Apply for a Pre-Settlement Lawsuit Loan Through Nova Legal Funding Today
At Nova Legal Funding, we understand that attorney’s fees, medical bills, and living expenses might pile up after a debilitating slip and fall injury. We provide pre-settlement lawsuit loans for plaintiffs who need financial assistance during their lawsuit.
You can use pre-settlement lawsuit loans to buy groceries, pay rent, get medical treatment, or pay for your attorney. We have the best interest rates guaranteed and our loans are risk-free, meaning you don’t pay us back unless you win.
If you have questions about the average payout for a slip and fall injury or want to apply for a lawsuit loan, contact one of our funding specialists at 866-985-0472. We deliver cash within 24 hours of approval.