It’s important to act quickly and intelligently immediately following an injury.
Here are some steps you can take:
- Seek medical attention immediately and follow treatment instructions.
- Report the incident to property management or the responsible party in writing.
- Photograph the hazard, location, and your injuries.
- Gather contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve physical evidence (clothing, shoes, etc.)
- Document all medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.
- Avoid making recorded statements to property owners or insurers without legal consultation.
- Contact a premises liability attorney early, especially before speaking with insurance adjusters.
These steps help your lawyer build a strong case.
How Compensation Works
Recovering financial damages after a premises liability injury in Louisville involves more than simply submitting medical bills. Kentucky law allows victims to pursue several categories of compensation, but each must be supported with evidence and a clear link to the property owner’s negligence.
Medical Expenses
These can include the cost of emergency visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any future care your doctors expect you to need. Your attorney may work with medical experts to project long-term costs, especially when injuries require ongoing rehabilitation or specialized equipment.
Lost or Reduced Income
Lost income is another key element. If your injuries keep you from working for days, weeks, or even months, you can seek recovery for wages you would have earned. In serious cases, you may also claim diminished earning capacity if you can’t do the same job or if your hours or duties must be reduced.
This calculation often involves employment records, tax returns, and testimony from vocational experts who can explain how the injury affects your career.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical discomfort and emotional strain caused by the incident. While there is no exact formula, courts consider the severity of the injury, the length of recovery, and how the accident changes your daily life. A fractured hip that limits mobility for years, for example, carries more weight than a sprained ankle that heals quickly.
Because these cases can involve complex medical records, expert testimony, and detailed financial projections, working with a Louisville premises liability lawyer helps ensure nothing is overlooked.
The goal is to present a complete picture of how the injury affects your health, your work, and your future, so the compensation reflects the true cost of the property owner’s negligence.