How Long Do Slip and Fall Settlements Take?

The time it takes to resolve slip and fall settlements varies on a case–by–case basis. Factors like the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the at-fault party’s willingness to negotiate all affect how long these cases take. 

You can focus on expediting the legal process and minimizing the time you have to wait for compensation by hiring a Colorado Springs slip and fall accident lawyer to handle all legal matters on your behalf. 

An attorney can handle settlement negotiations on your behalf and explore additional options to secure the compensation you need if the insurance company tries to drag the process out or refuses to make a fair offer. 

How Long Does a Slip and Fall Settlement Take?

Slip and fall settlements do not take a set amount of time to resolve. Each case takes a different amount of time to handle, with some only taking a few months and others taking a year or even longer. 

Your Injuries Can Influence How Long Settlement Negotiations Take

Generally, attorneys will not accept a settlement offer before they fully understand the extent of a client’s losses. Therefore, you may have to wait until you reach a point of maximum medical recovery in order to conclude the settlement negotiation process. 

Fall accidents can result in serious injuries that take a long time to heal, like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). An attorney can give you more information about how your recovery from any potential injuries can affect the timeline of your claim. 

Insurance Companies May Try to Drag Out Settlement Negotiations 

Insurance companies often engage in stall tactics when handling slip and fall settlement negotiations. These companies may attempt to drag out the settlement process in the hopes that, eventually, you will accept a subpar deal just to get some compensation. 

These stall tactics influence how long slip and fall settlements take. Fortunately, you can hire an attorney to take charge of the negotiation process and to counter the tactics used by insurance companies to delay negotiations. 

What Compensation Can You Get Through a Slip and Fall Settlement?

Settling with the insurance company after a slip and fall accident can allow you to get compensation for all of your losses.

You may qualify for funds to pay for your:

Economic Damages

The economic damages associated with a fall accident can include your healthcare costs and lost income. These damages may also include the costs of repairing any of your personal property that sustained damage when you fell.

Non-Economic Damages

Your attorney can also push to ensure you get fair payment for your non-economic losses. These losses can include your pain, emotional distress, and mental suffering. Your lawyer will work with you closely to determine a fair value for these losses. 

How Long Can You Wait to Seek Compensation After a Fall?

You have to take legal action before Colorado’s personal injury statute of limitations expires. In many cases, the legal system only gives you two years to move forward after your accident, though this deadline can vary.

If your fall happened on government-owned property such as a city sidewalk, public building, or state facility, the timeline gets even shorter.

Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, you may be required to provide written notice to the responsible government entity within 182 days of your injury. Missing that deadline can bar your claim entirely, regardless of the two-year statute of limitations.

You should speak to a lawyer about the precise deadlines that apply to your claim. If you wait too long, you will lose your chance to get compensation. 

Do You Have to Accept a Slip and Fall Settlement?

You do not have to accept a settlement from the insurance company after a slip and fall accident. In some cases, your attorney may even recommend against taking a settlement offer. Instead, your lawyer could assist you in filing a lawsuit against the at–fault party.

Filing a lawsuit allows you to seek fair compensation through the court system. Your lawyer can represent you during these proceedings, presenting your case and fighting to get a verdict in your favor. 

Your lawyer may decide to proceed with a lawsuit if settlement negotiations stall out or if the insurance company repeatedly sends you low offers. Note that a lawsuit can take a significant amount of time, so you should carefully discuss this option with your lawyer before you proceed. 

Talk to Us About Handling Settlement Negotiations After a Fall Accident in Colorado 

So, how long do slip and fall settlements take? The time it takes to resolve these claims through insurance settlement negotiations varies, often depending on the willingness of the insurance company to treat injury victims fairly and the severity of the injuries caused by the accident.

You can turn to our team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP, for help handling insurance negotiations after a fall. Our firm has been helping injured people for over 30 years, and we’re ready to address your concerns when you turn to us for assistance.

We take charge and will work tirelessly to bring you the funds you need to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other expenses. We can focus on helping you settle out of court or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help.  

Reviewed by Brennan Heuser (link to bio), Personal Injury Attorney, Heuser & Heuser, L.L.P.