Slip-and-falls can cause many serious injuries. While some only lead to bruises or minor cuts, others can produce brain injuries and broken bones. People may have medical expenses and lost wages, as well as property damage losses sustained during the incident.
Businesses generally have commercial insurance policies that include premises liability coverage. If someone gets hurt on company property, that coverage can help reimburse them for their losses. The investigators and adjusters working for commercial insurance companies often manipulate people during the claims process.
They may try to prompt them into admitting partial fault or accepting less compensation than they deserve. Those hurt and slip-and-falls have the right to legal representation and may want to work with attorneys to better ensure that they receive appropriate compensation.
What tactics do insurance companies use?
Professionals trying to minimize insurance company liability for a slip-and-fall incident may promise a person to pay their bills but may then take intentional steps to achieve the exact opposite outcome. In some cases, they ignore or delay claims for so long that people become frustrated and give up.
Insurance professionals may ask those seeking compensation to provide a recorded statement. They may then ask questions intended to confuse the person making the claim or raise questions about fault for the incident. The goal is to either establish enough evidence to justify denying the claim or give the company reason to minimize the compensation provided.
Offering a low settlement is another common strategy. Insurance companies often offer initial settlements that are below not just the applicable policy limits, which could be six figures for a commercial insurance policy, but also the provable losses sustained by the person who fell.
Those pursuing slip-and-fall compensation can protect themselves from insurance company misconduct by working with an attorney. A lawyer can be present during a recorded statement to help a client avoid pitfalls when communicating with insurers or negotiating a settlement.
An attorney can also help those seeking slip-and-fall compensation evaluate the coverage available and calculate both their current and likely future losses related to an injurious incident. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after a slip-and-fall incident can help injured people understand and avoid common insurance company tactics.
