If you suffered injuries due to sitting on a broken or defective chair or bar stool when visiting a restaurant or business establishment, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and a professional attorney can make sure your case is taken seriously. Chair accidents often fall into the category of premises liability, as establishment owners must adhere to quality control policies to ensure that their customers are safe. Loose screws, broken springs and protruding nails can all lead to serious injury, and it is the establishment owner's responsibility to perform regular maintenance inspections on their equipment.
A personal injury attorney can help by investigating your accident and filing a claim on your behalf. Read on to learn more about the process of filing a premises liability claim in order to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Seek Medical Treatment
Prior to proceeding with your injury claim, it is important to consult with a physician in order to obtain proper treatment and accurately document your injuries. If you suffered from broken bones, fractures or tissue damage, your physician can also provide you with copies of your X-rays. It is also a good idea to photograph your injuries if your skin is bruised, scraped or cut.
Personal Injury Attorney Consultation
The next step in filing your chair accident claim is to meet with an injury attorney for a personal consultation. During your consultation, you will want to provide your attorney with a detailed timeline of events that led up to the incident. You will also want to provide them with copies of your medical documentation.
Additional information that may benefit your case can include photographs of the faulty chair or bar stool, contact information of individuals who witnessed the accident and copies of the accident report if one was filled out by the establishment owner. If the attorney believes you have sufficient evidence to file an injury claim and agrees to take on your case, they will advise on the next steps in the process and move forward with your claim.
Proving Fault
In order to obtain compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove that the establishment owner was at fault. For example, if they were aware of the faulty piece of furniture but failed to repair it to ensure customer safety, they are liable for the accident. Prior to filing your claim, your attorney will conduct an investigation in order to solidify your case.
Depending on the specifics of the incident, your attorney may interview witnesses, consult with the physician who treated you, and travel to the establishment to investigate the faulty furniture or accident scene. When your attorney feels they have collected enough evidence that will clearly point to the fault of the establishment owner, they will draw up an official complaint. The complaint will detail the incident and ask for a specific amount of damages to cover your medical costs, missed work hours and any other expenses that resulted from the incident.
Out-of-Court Settlement
If the establishment owner admits to negligence after receiving your complaint, your case may be settled out of court. The establishment owner or their insurance company will work with your attorney in order to negotiate a reasonable settlement amount. Alternatively, if the establishment owner refuses to take the blame and contests your accident claim, your attorney may advise on moving forward with a court trial.
If your case goes to court, both parties will have the opportunity to present their evidence to a judge, who will make a final determination on whether the establishment owner should be held liable.
Fight For Your Rights
Defective furniture can cause serious injuries, which can lead to costly medical bills and missed work time. A professional personal injury attorney will fight for your rights and do their best to make sure that the establishment owner is held liable for their negligence.
