Slip And Fall Claims Can Be Denied

A slip and fall injury can result in a long list of expenses, including medical expenses and missed time from work. So, when an injury victim files a claim for compensation and it is not denied, the decision can feel earth-shattering. The best thing for any person to do is to avoid this type of outcome. Learn more about common denial reasons so that you can improve your chances of a successful claim.

Treatment Timing

After a slip and fall, the priority of every victim should be to visit a healthcare professional for treatment. Prompt medical attention helps prevent your injuries from getting worse, and it helps protect the integrity of your claim. Consider someone who breaks their ankle as a result of a fall, for example. 

Failing to visit the doctor could result in a more severe fracture and long-term complications. This further progression of the injury could be deemed the responsibility of the victim and the insurance company can use this information to deny the claim. The best practice is to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Injury Mitigation

The duty of care does not stop at a business owner or operator of another public place, such as a park. The injury victim also has a duty to mitigate injury. When the insurance company believes the victim did not do their part to avoid injury, they may deny the claim.

Evidence becomes especially important in this type of situation, particularly anything that can prove that you were not the negligent party. Proof that the floor was wet without a warning sign or that there was sidewalk damage that led to an uneven surface can help show that it was the business owner who failed to mitigate an injury. An attorney can help with the collection of this evidence.

Complete Documentation and Records

One of the most disheartening reasons an insurance company will deny a claim has to do with a technicality. More specifically, incomplete documentation. 

Incomplete medical records that fail to show the depth of long-term care required or a claim for lost wages compensation that does not include current earnings statements are a couple of examples. It is essential that victims include documentation that supports every claim and request for compensation they submit.

If you need any assistance with filing your personal injury claim so that you can avoid a denial, be sure to speak with a personal injury attorney for help. 


Share