No. If a release is presented while you are still treating medically, you might be signing away your rights to fair compensation down the road.
It is common for insurance companies to "get statements" quickly after a slip and fall. They often offer menial amounts of money quickly, too, like $500 or $1000 to "help you on the way." But, what the insurance company adjuster isn't telling you is that you might be waiving or giving up your rights to future compensation. Indiana does not do "piecemeal" settlements -- all monies must come at one time. And if you take your modest of money now -- you could be barred forever from getting more down the road and a fair settlement.
One of the most common questions presented by people who have recently been hurt in a catastrophic accident is whether or not they should sign a release after a slip and fall injury.
A release could be presented to you by a property owner or manager who is concerned about his or her liability in a legal claim. These releases may often absolve that person of liability entirely, and for this reason, should always be avoided. You should never sign any piece of paper after a personal injury sustained on someone else's property in Indiana until you've had the opportunity to speak to your own personal injury lawyer.
At Shaw Law, we’ll help you figure out if your release is in your best interests. We want to get you back on your feet again with a fair and full settlement or award.
Your personal injury lawyer will evaluate the specifics of the case and tell you what you need to do in order to move forward and can help advise you against mistakes that could compromise your ability to recover compensation. Should you sign a release too early or accept a settlement amount that is not in best interests early on in the case, this means that you will no longer be able to pursue a liability claim against that person, even if it was clear that he or she was responsible for the accident and your resulting injuries.
A release should always be read through thoroughly because the fine print can be overwhelming and can have devastating consequences for your case. Because of the high stakes involved in these types of cases, you need an experienced Indiana trip and fall to slip and fall injury lawyer who will do as much as possible to help you avoid the consequences of signing a release.
A release might not represent your best interests, and in fact, has likely been drafted by an insurance company or by the other party themselves to minimize or absolve them of liability entirely. This could be a big mistake on your part because then you would be financially responsible for paying your own medical bills because of someone else's negligence on their piece of property.
When you receive any request to sign a settlement release or information from the other side asking you to carry out a particular action such as making a recorded statement, you should share the details of this request directly with your Indiana personal injury lawyer. He or she will tell you more about whether or not this is in your best interests, and how you should best respond in order to avoid making mistakes in your case.
There are so many different things that must be considered in the wake of an Indiana slip and fall accident, and the right attorney can help you navigate this with more ease. Understanding the possible outcomes is important for your future and can help you significantly when you are facing challenges and are not sure of how to proceed. Scheduling a consultation with an Indiana personal injury lawyer should be the first thing you do after you get medical treatment for your injuries and receive a diagnosis.