This is the next post in my series on the handling of slip and fall cases where the injury occurred on residential property in Peoria, Illinois. My last article discussed insurance coverage for a residential slip and fall. It is important for victims to understand that they will often have a means of collecting a judgment. These means can include a homeowner’s insurance policy if the incident occurred at a house or a commercial insurance policy if the incident occurred in a multifamily dwelling. In this article I will be discussing how long it may take to settle such a case. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
Peoria residential slip and fall cases can take substantial time to settle
It can take a substantial amount of time to settle a residential slip and fall case if the victim has been seriously injured. This is due to the fact that any settlement must provide the victim with the money needed to cover future medical expenses, future lost wages, and future pain and suffering. The amount necessary for covering these needs cannot be reasonably known, however, until the victim’s chances of recovery are also known. If an individual were to accept a quick settlement, out of a belief that they will make a full recovery, then they may be left without needed money if they in fact do not fully recover. It is, therefore, generally in the victim’s best interests to wait to settle until they have a reasonably reliable long-term prognosis.
The foregoing is best explained by way of example. Suppose Joe Visitor is a Peoria resident who falls on a broken stair while visiting a friend’s house. Joe tumbles to the bottom of the stairs and suffers serious spine injuries. Joe is told that he will need two to three surgeries and extensive therapy, over the course of twelve to eighteen months, and that his chances of walking without pain in the future are sixty-forty. Joe, however, is confident that he will make a full recovery and quickly accepts a lowball settlement from the homeowner’s insurance. After a year, unfortunately, it has become clear that Joe will walk with pain for the rest of his life. Joe cannot return to his former career as a result. Joe cannot seek additional money from the homeowner’s policy as he has already settled. The money he received will not cover his future medical needs, his future economic losses, etc. This financial shortfall could potentially have been avoided if Joe had waited to settle the matter.
A personal injury attorney will help Illinois residents determine the best time to settle their case
An experienced personal injury attorney will have a history of working with a victim’s medical professionals to gain a handle on the situation. Counsel will give you an honest assessment as to whether any current offer should be accepted or whether further medical evaluations should first be completed. While it is understandable that one may wish to put the matter behind them as quickly as possible, the situation will be anything but “behind you” if you are left without financial resources which cover your needs. Discussing your situation with counsel can, therefore, be crucial to protecting your long-term interests.
If you or a family member have fallen inside of a residence then contact my office today to speak with a Peoria slip and fall lawyer. My practice is devoted to protecting the rights of those who have been injured through no fault of their own and we will give your case the attention it deserves. This includes making sure you know what to expect from the process and making sure we are available to answer your questions. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you. Our firm also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
