Slip or Fall
Cracked or broken sidewalks. Slippery steps or ice-covered parking lots. If someone has failed to keep their property safe and you have injured yourself as a result, there are several things you should do immediately to ensure you get the compensation you deserve:
- If the incident happened on city property, you must write to the city within seven days of the slip or fall. Include your name, date of birth, and date, time and location of the incident.
- Take pictures of the scene.
- Measure the trip ledge.
- Get the contact details of any witnesses.
- Keep your footwear and do not use it again.
- Save any documents that prove you were at the location of the incident.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in dealing with slip or fall cases.
Taking this action will help you prove liability - that the person or organization you are suing caused you to slip or fall and become injured.
The other party will try to blame you for the fall, so taking the steps above is very important.
If your lawsuit is successful, there are three types of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Pain and suffering and loss of quality of life (general damages)
This is a claim for your past, present and future difficulties. In Ontario, compensation ranges from $0 for a sprained thumb to $318,000 for someone who is brain-injured and quadriplegic.
- Pecuniary damages (loss of wages)
This is a claim for loss of wages in the past, present and future. If you are unable to work (temporarily or for the rest of your life), return to work but make less money, or fail to get employment or promotion because of your injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
This compensates you for any expenses caused by ongoing medical difficulties, including over-the-counter prescription medication, rehabilitation devices, or parking and mileage for doctors’ appointments. It does not usually amount to very much money.
