How much you can recover after a restaurant slip and fall accident in Pennsylvania depends on how badly you were hurt and whether the restaurant was at fault. Minor injuries may lead to smaller settlements, while serious injuries, costly medical bills, and time away from work can increase the amount.
However, if the restaurant disputes fault for your fall, reaching a settlement may be more difficult. For more information, or to get help with a claim, contact Cordisco & Saile today. Our seasoned attorneys can look over the details of your case during a free consultation.
Typical Settlement Amounts for Restaurant Slip and Fall Cases in Pennsylvania
Every case is different, and settlement agreements could require that the settlement amount be kept confidential. Depending on the circumstances and the extent of your injuries, a restaurant slip and fall accident case in Pennsylvania can settle for thousands of dollars.
- Minor injuries: Less permanent injuries such as bruises, sprains, or soft-tissue injuries will likely settle for less money.
- Moderate injuries: Broken bones or injuries that require ongoing treatment or time off work could lead to higher settlement amounts.
- Severe injuries: Injuries that require surgery, cause lasting disabilities, or need long-term care could result in settlements of $100,000 or more.
There is no way to guarantee a payout amount for a slip and fall claim. There is no reliable statewide average for slip and fall settlement numbers. Additionally, any average calculation can be skewed by a few large payouts, whereas the median represents the middle value in a group of cases.
Is There A Universal Calculator for Slip and Fall Accident Settlements?
There is no universal calculator to estimate the value of a slip and fall accident claim because every case is different, and different factors will affect the value of your claim. Some of the factors that will increase the value of your claim include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, insurance limits, and evidence of the restaurant’s negligence. These factors will affect the legal outcome of your claim, and thus influence the value of your claim.
What Factors Affect the Value of a Slip and Fall Claim?
Every case is different. There are several factors that can affect the value of your slip and fall case. Some of these factors include the following:
- Economic damages: Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future treatment expenses can increase the value of your claim.
- Non-economic damages: You can recover compensation for pain, emotional distress, and changes to your daily life.
- Severity of your injury: Injuries that require surgery or cause lasting problems can lead to higher settlements than those that heal quickly.
- Restaurant negligence: If the restaurant knew about a hazard and failed to fix it, that could help support your claim.
- Insurance policy limits: The restaurant’s insurance coverage can affect how much money is available to pay your claim. However, other options for recovering compensation might be possible, depending on your circumstances.
These factors work together to influence your settlement offer. Ultimately, the total amount you receive for your slip and fall accident claim will depend on the evidence in your case and whether the restaurant can be held legally responsible.
Pennsylvania Laws That Impact Your Settlement
Pennsylvania law plays a significant role in determining fault, proving negligence, and assessing the validity of a slip-and-fall lawsuit. These state rules can affect whether you receive compensation and how much you may recover.
Comparative Negligence
Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws, your compensation can be reduced if your own actions contributed to the fall. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for your accident, your damages will be reduced by 20%. However, you cannot recover damages if your share of the fault is greater than 50%.
Proving the Restaurant’s Fault
In order to recover compensation in a slip and fall accident claim, you have to prove that the restaurant was liable. A restaurant can be held liable for a slip and fall if it:
- Caused the hazard
- Knew about the hazard and failed to fix it
- Should have found the hazard during routine inspections
Evidence such as security footage, witness statements, employee accounts, and inspection records can help show what happened to cause your slip and fall accident and whether the restaurant was at fault for your injuries.
Two-Year Filing Deadline
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits generally gives injured people two years from the date of the injury to file. Missing this deadline will prevent you from recovering compensation, although limited exceptions may apply.
Steps To Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Claim
After a slip and fall accident, what you do next can affect your ability to recover compensation. These steps can help protect your health and support your claim:
- Report the fall: Tell the restaurant manager what happened and ask for a copy of the incident report, if available.
- Take photos and videos: Document the spill, wet floor, damaged flooring, warning signs, and surrounding area before anything changes, if it is safe to do so.
- Get witness information: Ask anyone who saw the fall or noticed the hazard for their name and contact details.
- Seek medical care: Get checked by a medical professional, even if your injuries seem minor. Keep records of your treatment, expenses, and symptoms.
- Save relevant evidence: Keep receipts and other documents related to your injuries, and preserve surveillance footage that may show the fall or the hazard.
- Be careful with insurance statements: Stick to the facts when speaking with an insurer. Avoid guessing about what caused the fall or admitting fault.
- Do not rush into a settlement: An early offer may not account for future treatment or time away from work. Review the full extent of your injuries before settling.
- Keep track of your losses: Save medical bills, pay stubs, and records of missed work to help document your financial losses.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
A slip and fall accident at a Pennsylvania restaurant can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and questions about who is responsible. The value of your claim depends on numerous factors, including your injuries, evidence, and whether you share any blame for the fall.
A slip and fall lawyer at Cordisco & Saile can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue compensation. Schedule a free consultation today by calling our firm at 215-642-2335.
