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When you’re injured on someone else’s property because of a hazard or danger, you may qualify to get your medical bills and other damages covered by filing a premises liability claim through the property owner’s homeowners insurance.
This process can become a little more complicated when your injury happens on the property of someone you know, such as an acquaintance, a friend, or even a family member. A common concern is that the injury victim does not want to offend the homeowner by filing a claim for fear of impacting the relationship.
However, when your health, safety, and financial future is on the line, there are a few things you must keep in mind.
Medical Bills Rack Up Quickly
After your injury on someone’s property, whether it be a slip and fall, a burn, a dog bite, or something else, you may try to decide to deal with it on your own. But medical bills can rack up fast, including expenses related to:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency room visits
- Physical therapy
- Necessary surgeries
On top of these physical expenses, you may be forced to take time off work while you heal, resulting in lost wages when you need them most. The property owner should understand that you are not filing a claim to do anything to them, but you simply cannot afford to pay out of pocket for your injury-related expenses.
You Will File A Claim On Their Homeowners’ Insurance
You may be concerned about filing a claim against this person that you know. They may be in a tough financial situation themselves or have children and other bills that you don’t want to add to.
It’s important to remember that, in almost all cases, you and your attorney will be filing a premises liability claim with the property owner’s homeowners insurance coverage. This means that the property owner won’t have the pay the settlement amount—their insurance company will.
It’s Not About Being Opportunistic
There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to the reason for filing a premises liability claim. The bottom line—and the one you must remember throughout the entire process—is that filing a valid claim is not about being opportunistic, nor is it about exploiting someone’s insurance company in order to “make a profit.” It’s about pursuing the compensation that you 1.) are legally entitled to receive and 2.) need to heal and pay for your recovery-related expenses.
You should not have to front the medical bills and other costs for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. If you need help filing a premises liability claim, contact out to Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman to discuss your legal options.
With over 100 years of collective experience, our firm has been advocating on behalf of Northern Mississippi injury victims and their families. We are here to listen to your story, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and fight for your maximum financial recovery.
