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You can start protecting your Iowa slip and fall accident recovery the moment that you are injured. While your case will not formally start until a complaint is filed in court, there are many important things that you need to know before you can file that complaint.
As soon as possible after your fall, it is important to find out:
- Who could be liable for your injuries. You need to identify which parties may be liable for your injuries before you can recover damages. In an Iowa fall accident case this could be the property owner or occupier.
- How to collect and protect evidence. Evidence could include things such as surveillance video, photographs, property maintenance records, and your own medical records.
- What to do about witnesses. Both eyewitnesses and expert witnesses may be important to proving the cause of your case and the value of your injuries.
- How long you have to file a case. The Iowa Statute of Limitations restricts the amount of time that you have to file a lawsuit after a fall accident.
- What happens if you were partly to blame for the fall. You may still be able to recover damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as you do not bear the majority of the liability.
- How settlements work. Settlements must be negotiated. Accordingly, it is important to know how negotiations work so that you can protect your rights.
- Whether you need a slip and fall lawyer. An attorney can help you make a fair recovery and handle to the day to day stress of a legal claim for you.
Likewise, if it was your child who fell and got hurt, then it is important to know how to protect your child’s rights after a fall.
Once you have the information described above, then you can begin your lawsuit by filing a complaint. Once the complaint is filed, the defendant will have the right to file an answer. After that the formal discovery process will occur and may include things such as interrogatories, depositions, and requests for production of documents. Both you and the defendant may file motions with the court and, if the case is not decided on a motion, then the case will go to trial. Simultaneously, you may engage in settlement negotiations with the defendant.
This may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. You have the right to work with an experienced attorney who can handle all aspects of your case for you. Please start a live chat with us now to learn more.
