How to Sue a Business for Personal Injury

When you suffer damages on business property, you may be entitled to compensation. If the property owner could have avoided the accident, they are liable for your injuries. You can initiate a lawsuit and work with a personal injury attorney to help you get compensated for your losses. An alternative is to negotiate a settlement with them, so you don’t have to go to court.

Suing a Business for a Personal Injury

Every property owner should make their property safe to prevent injuries. They have to manage their property and remove hazards to prevent visitors from getting injured on the premises.

Collect Evidence Beforehand

When you are injured, you need to take pictures of the wounds and the accident’s area. This will help provide photographic evidence for your case and also make it clear how you were injured. You must also receive medical treatment from your doctor, who can identify additional injuries you may not have realized were there. You should document all of the expenses you had to pay because of this accident. Keep all of your medical bills together. You will need to include non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Also, you should calculate your income loss and the amount you expect to lose in the future due to your injury.

Speak With an Attorney

The best chance you have at getting the maximum amount for your lawsuit is with the help of a personal injury lawyer. They can increase your chances of getting a higher payout because of their professional experience and knowledge. Your attorney can highlight important aspects of your case and represent you to your benefit. They will also guide you on what information you need, draft documents, and update you on the status of your case.

You may not have to file a lawsuit, as your attorney may decide to negotiate a settlement with the other parties. However, if they are withholding on providing you appropriate compensation, a lawsuit will be the next step.

Initiating a Lawsuit

Your attorney will organize all of the documents and then file a complaint with the court on your behalf. This complaint will have a cause of action included that details why you are seeking compensation from the defendant.

Serving the Complaint

The attorney will contact the defendant, who will be provided service papers. This will inform the dependent on the date and time they must appear in court.

Pre-Trial Period

During this time, called the discovery phase, you and the other party will swap evidence and analyze each other’s information. Both you and the defendant will then have to appear in court and let the judge know where you both stand. The judge will assign a meeting for mediation and a trial date. You may not end up at trial, as often the mediation resolves the dispute. Typically, personal injury cases end in settlement.

The Trial

The trial begins with both parties providing their evidence and the jury listening to both you and the other party’s account of what happened. It is up to the jury to decide who is liable.

Learn Next Steps

If you want to sue a business for a personal injury, speak with an attorney first. You may be able to negotiate a settlement.

https://www.eeoc.gov/filing-lawsuit