Visitor Question

Broke My Foot Falling Down Friends’ Steps…

Submitted By: Peggy (Firestone, CO)

I fell down my friends’ porch steps. They are concrete slender steps with no hand rails. I suffered a lisfranc injury to my left foot (bones in the mid-foot were broken), which has a poor outlook on my lifestyle forever.

I went to the ER immediately and had then surgery to place screws in my foot 6 days later. I have health insurance but I have a deductible and pay a percentage out-of-pocket along with a co-pay at each visit.

I will be in a non-weight bearing boot for no less than 6 weeks, more likely 10 weeks, and it will take approximately 1 year before I’m walking normally (and there’s a high potential for chronic pain).

My friends contacted their insurance company and called me with a claim number. I was told by my friends that their insurance company would be calling me this week, but so far they haven’t.

Is homeowners insurance different when it comes to injury coverage of guests? What will they reimburse me for? Do I need a personal injury lawyer to get full compensation for my injuries? I’m really not sure how to go about this. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

Answer

Dear Peggy,

So far what you have been doing is just fine.

When the insurance company calls you the claims adjuster will want to take your recorded statement. That is standard operating procedure. Cooperate fully and tell her the truth.

Remember, insurance claims adjusters are experienced and can see through any embellishments or falsehoods.

Let your injuries speak for themselves. If the claims adjuster hasn’t already interviewed the homeowner and any witnesses to your accident she soon will. Her job is to fully evaluate the claim so as to be able to make the correct decision regarding liability and reimbursement.

The adjuster will want copies of all of your medical bills and any other copies of receipts or other documents, large or small, related to your case.

Once the adjuster evaluates your claim she will probably make an offer of settlement. You can be assured the offer you are made will be much less than the offer a personal injury attorney can probable secure.

Although the claims adjuster will probably want to pay your claim she will only want to pay as little as she can get away with.

It wouldn’t hurt to consult with several personal injury attorneys. Most will not charge for an initial office consultation.

Once you have visited with several personal injury attorneys you will be in a better position to decide whether you want to retain an attorney or proceed by yourself.

Learn more here: Homeowner's Insurance Injury Claims

The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.

We wish you the best with your claim,

Published:

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