We gather with friends and family all the time to celebrate birthdays, watch the big game or just spend time with some of our favorite people. You know these people would never intentionally cause you any harm, but there is a duty of care that homeowners are expected to provide any guests that they welcome onto their property. If you end up accidentally suffering an injury that requires medical attention, you may find yourself between a rock and a hard place.
On one hand, nobody wants to pay out of pocket for medical bills or lost wages as a result of an accidental injury. On the flip side, nobody wants to sue a loved one in order to have these expenses covered. So what should you do if you suffer an injury on a friend or family member’s property? We provide some advice in today’s blog.
Injured At A Friend’s House – Next Steps
If you are injured at a friend or family member’s house, one of the first things you’ll need to do is seek out medical attention. If you need stitches, a cast or surgery, you’ll need to have your injuries addressed in a swift manner by a professional. Having your injuries professionally assessed and treated will also make the process of filing a claim much simpler, if that’s what you choose to do.
Next, if possible, take some pictures of the scene of the accident. If there was ice on the sidewalk or a gopher hole in the grass that caused you to slip or fall, try to take pictures of where the accident occurred. It’s also helpful to get the contact information of anyone who can verify your version of events. Since you’re at a friend or family member’s home, this should be pretty easy.
We’ve also heard stories of loved one’s offering to pay for your medical bills out of pocket. While that’s a nice gesture, medical bills can get expensive, especially if you need continued care or follow-up physical therapy. It can also create a bit of an uncomfortable relationship between you and your family member if you’re continually asking them for money to pay your expenses.
At this point, it’s important to remember that this is exactly what homeowner’s or renter’s insurance is designed to protect your loved one from. You’re not suing to take money from your friend, you’re making a claim against the insurance policy they carry. They have homeowner’s insurance for a myriad of reasons, and one of them is to protect anyone that comes onto the property.
Remember, intent doesn’t matter when it comes down to filing a personal injury claim. Your loved one would never intentionally cause you harm, but they have a duty to keep you safe. If they breach their duty of care and you are injured, you will have a valid claim through their insurance company.
Finally, if you decide that you’re going to move forward with a claim, it’s best if you avoid talking about the case with the other involved parties or on social media. Anything you say can be used against you during your claim, so it’s best to just keep quiet and let the case play out. It may seem like it’s safe to discuss with your friend or family member, but it can only serve to hurt your case, so just avoid it.
Getting injured is never fun, and it only becomes more complicated if you are injured at a friend or family member’s house. If this happens to you, know that you have the law on your side and that you’ll be collecting compensation from their insurance company, not your friend personally. You’re owed compensation for your injuries, and we can help you collect it. For more information, or for help with your injury claim, give the team at Hey Workers a call today at (844) 439-9675.
