If you slip and fall while you are lawfully on a businesses′ premises or fall on an adjacent defective or icy sidewalk or on steps or in a business parking lot, you may have a claim for injuries you suffered. Here are a few tips to help you out.
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Do not be embarrassed if you fall or get hurt. Report the fall and what caused it. If you leave because you think that you will be okay and you are embarrassed, you will allow the defendant the opportunity to deny it ever happened. Ask the company representative to prepare a report.
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If you were injured and for whatever reason you did not report the accident, contact or have someone put the company on notice in writing as soon as possible. Make sure to keep a copy.
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Submit medical bills to your health insurance carrier to ensure prompt payment. Businesses generally have liability insurance that provides payment of some medical bills regardless of fault if you are hurt on its premises. Ask the business owner about payment of bills. If you get no cooperation, consult an attorney.
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One more tip about medical bills. Check the coverage contained in your insurance policy. You should know your deductible and co-pay amounts for medical bills. Keep tract of the bills, what is paid and what you owe. It should not exceed your deductible and co-pay amount. You may want to have your attorney request that the health care provider accept a lien on any settlement or judgment he or she may obtain for you. Medical providers will sometimes agree and not turn the bill in for collection. If you have to pay any bill out-of-pocket, keep tract of it to add to the recovery you want your lawyer to seek. Do not let the bills go into collection. It is bad enough you are hurt physically, stay out of trouble economically.
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If you are unable to return to work immediately due to your injuries, make sure you report it to your employer. Follow all procedures and policies. Get a note from your doctor advising that you are under his or her care and project when you may return to work. Provide the original to your employer and keep a copy. If your company is large enough and you have worked there long enough, the employer, in most situations, must hold your job or a comparable job for up to 12 weeks (without pay) under the Family Medical Leave Act. Some employers have more liberal policies. Understand your rights and keep your employer advised of your status. Do not add to your problems by being fired.
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If you lose income from being out of work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to New Jersey State Disability benefits (if you are out for more than one (1) week). Contact your local State Unemployment Disability Office about applying for benefits or check out the Temporary Disability website online at www.NJ.gov/labor/tdc/tdiindex.hem1 for further information. Your attorney may also be able to assist you in obtaining such benefits. Finally, keep tract of your lost income - you may be able to recover it.
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Here is a tip about preserving evidence. If you fall on ice or snow, you or someone you know, should take photographs of the scene, if possible, with a good camera before the ice and snow is cleared and melted. Likewise, if you fall because of an uneven or defective sidewalk, steps or parking lot, pictures should be taken before the scene is corrected. Your attorney may know of a professional photographer or investigator for such services.
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Likewise, if you have suffered visible bruises, lacerations or swelling, take photographs with a good camera and date them. Again, it may be best to have a professional take the photographs.
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If you fell on someone′s premises during the course of performing your job duties, you may have a Worker′s Compensation Claim. See 10 Things To Know About Worker′s Compensation Law.
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Finally, there are time limits to file a lawsuit in New Jersey for personal injuries. Do not sit on your rights - you may waive them. Contact an attorney familiar with personal injury law.
