Important Questions To Ask When Hiring A Slip And Fall Lawyer

Today’s topic: Questions to ask slip and fall lawyer.

Oklahoma City is a city rich in history, starting with the Land Run of 1889 and the city’s resilience after the tragedy at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Since Oklahoma City stretches over several counties, Oklahoma, Canadian, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie, the legal environment can be complex.

And that’s why, if you are the victim of a personal injury from a slip or fall, it is necessary that you have a person who really understands the area, both physically and legally, on your side.

All victims of a slip and fall accident should get proper legal representation from a skilled slip and fall attorney in Oklahoma City. However, before answering the questions, you must be aware of the fact that a slip-and-fall case is a type of premises liability claim.

To put it simply, it refers to an instance when someone is injured on a property owned by another person due to the property owner’s lack of proper ​‍​‌‍​‍‌maintenance.

Key Takeaways

• Ask what evidence they need from you. 
• Find out how they’ll show the other party was negligent.
• Check their track record. 
• Get a realistic view of your chances.
• Make sure they specialize in personal injury, especially slip-and-fall cases, not just general law. 

What Are The Questions To Ask Slip And Fall Lawyer?

These are some of the questions you should ask your slip and fall lawyer before you hire them:

1. What’s Needed To Build The Slip-And-Fall Case?

When you talk to a potential lawyer, ask them upfront: What do you need from me to build the case? Evidence is everything.

• Police reports, medical records, and incident reports.
• Photos or videos of the location, if possible.
• Witness statements and industry expert opinions.
• History of previous accidents at the location (yes, that can matter).

The earlier you gather this, the better. Waiting too long can make things tricky, and that’s not something you want mid-case. A seasoned attorney will guide you through exactly what’s necessary, so you’re not left scrambling.

2. How Do I Prove The Other Party’s Negligence?

Negligence is the main element in any slip and fall claim. In Oklahoma, the law requires property owners to take care of their premises.

They should guarantee that their property is safe. If they do not fulfill that obligation, and you face an injury, they might be responsible for making up for the loss.

Communicate with your lawyer to understand how they will prove this. Will they be talking about long-standing violations? Defective condition of the property? Standards that were ignored by the safety industry?

An excellent lawyer will explain it to you so that you know what is feasible and what is necessary to have a strong case.

3. Do You Have A Winning Track Record?

Knowledge and skill matter. Not only how many years the attorney has been licensed, but also how many slip and fall cases he or she has handled successfully. Ask for examples or testimonials.

If only a small number of cases are taken to trial, you still want a lawyer who will not hesitate to bring your case to court.

Insurance companies will deal with attorneys whom they know are not afraid to fight because these attorneys have a history of siding with their clients.

4. What Are My Odds Of A Positive Outcome?

Each situation differs, and therefore, a lawyer who responds in a general manner without giving you specific details is not really helping you.

Request a feasible evaluation of the probability of success of your case. Insist that they specify potential difficulties and challenges.

You are worthy of the truth and not being wrapped in a blanket of lies.

5. What Type Of Cases Do You Handle?

Most lawyers typically have a general practice, and that’s okay. But then, you really want someone who specializes in personal injury law. 

Experience in other areas is nice, but a specialist in slip-and-fall cases will know all the ins and outs, and that gives you a huge advantage. 

6. Will The Case Go To Court?

Not every case does, but you need to know if your lawyer is willing to fight in court if needed. A trial-ready attorney often negotiates better settlements because insurance companies know they mean business.

7. Who Will Actually Handle My Case?

Some lawyers meet with you once and then pass everything to a junior associate. Make sure the lawyer you hire will be personally involved, or at least oversee every step. That oversight can make a real difference in the outcome.

How To Choose A Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer?

When it comes to selecting a slip and fall accident lawyer, there are several things that you need to keep in mind.

For example, examining lawyers who are experts in premises liability law, as these incidents have different evidence requirements than a general car accident.

Here are some of the things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a lawyer for your slip and fall accident case:

1. Verify Specialized Experience

Make sure that the lawyer focuses his work mainly on the cases of slips and falls and not on general personal injury. The cases often involve complex rules of the building and standards of maintenance.

Furthermore, most firms settle quickly for smaller amounts of money. Get an attorney who, like him, has always taken the case to a trial. Therefore, it is common that insurance companies offer higher settlements to lawyers if they know they will litigate.

Additionally, pick an attorney who is in the know of your local court system, judges, and state-specific liability laws (e.g., comparative negligence rules).

2. Evaluate Success and Resources

Request for achievements in cases similar to your own. Usually, an individual cannot get the same amount as leading attorneys can. It’s 3 to 5 times more than the individual.

Additionally, in order to create a strong case, a reputable law office should have access to a wide variety of experts, such as:

• Medical professionals.
• Safety engineers.
• Accident reconstruction specialists.

Moreover, it is important to ensure they can promptly obtain evidence, such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements, which may disappear soon.

3. Understand The Fee Structure

While you might want to have the best legal professional by your side for your case, you must pick a lawyer who falls within your budget. Try to understand the fee structure.

• Contingency Fees: Personal injury lawyers are mostly on a “no, win, no, fee” basis.
• Typical Percentages: The amount that you will have to part with will be one-third to almost one-half of the final settlement.

Additionally, make sure it is clear who is paying for the costs, such as court filing fees and expert witness fees. Reputable law offices usually front these costs and take them from the final settlement.