Published on behalf of In many cases, a person who slips and falls may encounter the insurance company who insures the place where the fall accident occurred. For instance, an insurance company adjuster or agent may contact the person before the person has even left the hospital, much less talked to an attorney, or decided what course of action to take. This often occurs when a fall accident occurs at larger, corporate stores, such as chain grocery stores, restaurants, department stores, etc. The store’s internal policy may require contacting corporate headquarters and filing an insurance claim immediately; hence why the injured person gets a call from the insurance company within days after the accident.
Here are two tips in dealing with an insurance company after a fall accident.
1. Do not agree to any interview until after you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
What many folks who suffer fall down accidents don’t often know is that they have no legal obligation to cooperate with an adverse insurance company, that is, an insurance company representing the store where the accident occurred. Insurance companies will often try to obtain a telephone or in-person interview immediately. Their goal is to get the injured person to say something contrary to their interest. The injured person may agree to the call, which is purported to be recorded. In many situations, after the person has no choice but to file a lawsuit, the insurance company may stall in producing the recording. Suddenly, they can’t locate the call and will produce a “transcript” of the call and not the actual audio recording.
2. Do not sign any documents without the advice of a lawyer.
In some cases, the insurance company may realize that the injured person has a valid slip and fall case. The store manager may admit that other people in the store had previously fallen due to the same defect or that others made previous complaints about the defect. The insurance company may quickly offer money and send a legal release, which absolves the store and its affiliated parties of any and all liability for the fall accident. In such a situation, it is crucial to speak to a slip and fall accident lawyer who can review the facts and determine whether it is in your best interest to sign the release.
If you’ve been injured in a fall down accident and need advice on dealing with the store insurance company, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation. 215.925.4451
Related:
- Store Liability for Negligence in Pennsylvania
- Tips on What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident
- Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Law – Liability of Stores & Businesses
Philadelphia Fall Down Accident Lawyer 215.925.4451
Schwartz & Blackman has been representing the injured and their families for over thirty years in slip and fall cases.
Our firm offers a free consultation for all Pennsylvania and New Jersey injury and accident victims. Call now and ask for your free consultation. 215.925.4451
Schwartz & Blackman handles fall accident cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
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- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.