SHOULDN'T I JUST SAVE MYSELF THE MONEY I D PAY IN ATTORNEY'S FEES AND GO THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET PAID FOR MY SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT?

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1 SHOULDN'T I JUST SAVE MYSELF THE MONEY I D PAY IN ATTORNEY'S FEES AND GO THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET PAID FOR MY SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT? This is the question that many clients ask when trying to decide whether to hire an attorney for any personal injury case 1

2 This is a question that many clients ask when trying to decide whether to hire an attorney for any personal injury case. Insurance companies want victims to believe that the insurance company is looking out for their best interest and that the insurance company will act in a fair and judicious manner when settling their claim. The fact is that the insurance company is in an adversarial position with the victim. 2

3 Why is an Insurance Company in an Adversarial Position with a Victim? Insurance companies are businesses. As such, an insurance company is in business to make money. Insurance adjusters have a duty to the company to pay the least amount of money possible on each claim in order to protect the insurance company s profit margin. That is the true job of an insurance adjuster - - to find ways to pay the least amount of money on each insurance claim. Therefore, when the insurance adjuster contacts you in regard to your slip and fall claim, the adjuster will be searching for ways to lower the amount of money the insurance company pays you for your injuries. 3

4 On the other hand, you will be seeking a settlement for the largest amount of money possible because you believe that your claim is worth far more than the insurance adjuster will want to pay. This creates an adversarial situation between you and the insurance company. The insurance company will do whatever it must to minimize the costs of your claim and reduce the amount of compensation it pays to you for your slip and fall claim. Attorneys Level the Playing Field An insurance company has unlimited resources to fight your slip and fall claim. Experienced insurance adjusters, attorneys and other professionals immediately begin to work on your claim to discover ways to decrease your slip and fall claim. Hiring an experienced slip and fall attorney will level the playing field by giving you an expert who will fight to protect your rights. 4

5 You need an advocate that is solely on your side when you are dealing with an insurance company. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side may mean the difference in receiving the money you deserve and losing funds because of an aggressive corporation. Your attorney will also perform a thorough investigation to preserve crucial evidence that will be needed to prove your claims. Furthermore, an attorney knows where to search to find all of the defendants that may be liable for your injuries. For example, if you trip and fall in a parking lot, the owner of the property may be liable but the company that leases the property may also be liable. You need an attorney to determine all parties that should be held accountable for your injuries. Dealing with Insurance Company Tactics You should contact an attorney as soon as possible following your slip and fall case in order to avoid falling for some of the tactics insurance companies use in order to lower the amount of compensation they must pay for your injuries. Without consulting an attorney, you may not realize how insurance companies use seemingly innocent tactics to hurt your claim. 5

6 Insurance adjusters work quickly to contact victims of slip and fall accidents in order to obtain a recorded statement prior to the person consulting with a personal injury attorney. The insurance adjuster will simply state that he or she wants to get the facts straight so that the insurance company can begin to process your claim to get you money for your expenses as quickly as possible. In reality, the adjuster wants to take a recorded statement in hopes that you will say something that can hurt your claim later in the case. What may seem like an innocent statement to you may actually be used against you if you must file a lawsuit and go to court in order to settle the case. 6

7 Another tactic that insurance companies use that most people may not be aware of is medical releases. The insurance adjuster will request that you sign a medical release so that the insurance company can obtain copies of your medical records to verify your injuries from the slip and fall accident. What you may not realize is that you are signing a blanket medical release that permits the insurance company to obtain copies of your complete medical history rather than just the medical records from your slip and fall accident. The insurance company will comb through your medical history searching for previous injuries or medical conditions that the insurance company can use to claim that your current injuries are not solely as a result of the slip and fall accident. Having an attorney will help you avoid these tactics and increase your chances of recovering a larger amount of money for your injuries. 7

8 Hiring Experts to Prove Your Claims In many slip and fall cases, the victim needs the assistance of experts to testify as to the extent of the victim s injuries and damages. An experienced slip and fall attorney has the resources to hire experts to testify as to your physical injuries, your economic damages and your pain and suffering. The insurance company has experts that it uses on a regular basis to refute the claims of slip and fall victim. You must have expert witnesses who can testify in court on your behalf to convince a jury that you deserve the amount of compensation that you are seeking for your injuries. Most people do not have the contacts or resources to hire expert witnesses. Hiring an attorney who has experience in slip and fall accidents gives you the best chance of recovering the maximum amount of money for your injuries. 8

9 Contact an Experienced North Miami Beach Slip and Fall Accident Attorney We Make It Personal. Our Clients Are People, Not Cases The law firm of Bolton & Gross, PA cares about your injuries. Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping each client receive the compensation he or she deserves for injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident. We represent clients throughout Miami-Dade County and Broward County. Contact our office at or to schedule your free consultation today. You may also use our convenient online form to contact our office for more information. We will fight to protect your rights and we will never charge you until and unless we receive a settlement for your case. Call us today and let us explain how we can help you receive compensation for your physical, emotional and financial damages. 9

10 About Bolton & Gross Richard Bolton and Mitchell Gross have been practicing together for approximately 20 years. Initially, the firm was focused on representing insurance companies, their insureds, self insureds, and Fortune 500 companies. At that point, Bolton and Gross represented these entities as defendants. We took many cases to trial on behalf of these entities as defendants. Over the years, we learned how insurance companies and self insured corporations handled their legal matters. They showed no compassion to the injured parties and would go to all lengths to win a case. This type of work left us totally unfulfilled. Approximately 10 years ago we changed the focus of our practice. We now represent, exclusively, the injured parties. We use our experience representing the defendants to obtain the maximum possible recovery for our client. At Bolton and Gross we view each case individually. We realize each and everyone of our clients are people who have different needs and different motivation, etc. We try to advise our clients as to their possible decisions and do everything we can to get them the best recovery that is consistent with their desires. Here at Bolton and Gross we provide our clients with compassionate, aggressive, and individualized representation. Bolton & Gross bglawpa.com 801 NE 167th Street 2nd Floor North Miami Beach, FL Phone: W. Oakland Park Blvd, Building B Suite 104 Sunrise, FL Phone: