Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries, leaving victims with lasting impacts. If you have been injured in a painful slip and fall, our personal injury lawyers will fight to recover the damages you deserve. In addition to economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, you may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering. Read on to learn more, then contact Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC to schedule a free consultation.
What Qualifies as Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering is a broad term that includes the following types of damages:
Physical pain and suffering
These damages are intended to provide financial compensation for the physical, long-lasting pain that accident victims may experience – sometimes lasting months or years.
Emotional pain and suffering
This refers to mental distress that follows a slip and fall, like anxiety, fear, mood swings, or insomnia.
Loss of Consortium
If your loved one’s slip and fall resulted in their death, this type of damages may be paid to compensate for your losses, such as the loss of companionship, parental guidance, affection, etc.
Loss of Self-Esteem
For severe slip and fall accidents that result in permanent disability, disfigurement, or scarring, accident victims may recover compensation for their loss of self-esteem.
Calculating How Much Pain and Suffering is Worth
The size of your settlement depends on several factors, like your injury type and severity, amount of medical bills, and availability of evidence. To determine the value of pain and suffering, the insurance company will use one of the following methods:
Multiplier Method
Financial damages, like medical expenses and lost wages, are totaled and then multiplied by a number that correlates to your injury’s severity, usually between one and five.
Per Diem Method
A dollar amount is assignedto each day, spanning from the date of the slip and fall accident to the day that the injury victim achieves maximum medical recovery. At that point, the patient’s doctor does not expect them to recover further.
The Importance of Evidence
Holding the property owner accountable for their negligence requires evidence. You must not only prove that unsafe conditions caused your slip and fall, but that the accident resulted in your injury. Your personal injury lawyer will gather the evidence needed to strengthen your claim, using the following:
- Accident scene photos
- Security camera footage
- Witness testimony
- Medical records
- Hospital bills
- Healthcare professional testimony
