InjuriesIf you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident in Texas, you might wonder how long it takes for these cases to settle.
As you face mounting medical expenses and an inability to work, you may feel stressed, anxious, and frustrated.
Pursuing a slip and fall lawsuit can help you obtain the compensation you deserve from the liable party. But you need the experienced representation of a qualified slip and fall attorney.
To get started, contact the team at the Zimmerman Law Firm today.
What Is the Average Time for a Slip and Fall Case?
There is no average time for a slip and fall case in Texas.
All cases present their unique set of facts and circumstances, which may shorten or lengthen the time it takes for your slip-and-fall case to resolve.
For instance, whether or not you reach a settlement agreement or have to go to trial and get a jury verdict will greatly impact the length of time it takes to close your case.
However, there is a standard procedure for initiating your slip and fall lawsuit.
Filing of Complaint
Upon reviewing your case, your attorney files the initial complaint with the court. Your attorney must serve a copy of the complaint to the defendant.
Once service of process is complete, the defendant must respond to the complaint, usually within 21 days.
Discovery Phase
The discovery phase occurs when the parties to a lawsuit exchange relevant evidence and information about the case.
Your attorney may use several tools to gather relevant information from the opposing side, including:
- Interrogatories, which are a list of questions to be answered in writing;
- Requests for admissions;
- Requests to produce documents or other tangible evidence; and
- Depositions may be scheduled.
The discovery process can be short or lengthy, depending on the complexity of your case.
Negotiations
Your personal injury attorney will attempt to avoid a trial by negotiating a favorable settlement on your behalf.
However, if the liable party is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement, your attorney should not hesitate to go to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Trial
If the parties cannot reach a favorable settlement, your case moves to trial.
Personal injury trials typically take a few days, but they can last up to a week if the facts are complex.
Once the trial concludes, the jury deliberates and decides if you get an award. If they grant you a damages award, they also decide how much you get.
You would likely receive your money a few months after the verdict.
What Is the Time Limitation on a Slip and Fall Accident Filing?
The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code gives injured victims two years from the accident to file their claim.
This statute of limitations is the same if someone dies in a slip and fall accident. Courts rarely grant exceptions to the established statute of limitations.
Failure to file your lawsuit promptly bars you from filing at a later time.
Contact a Texas Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
With almost a century of combined legal experience, the legal team at the Zimmerman Law Firm puts their wealth of knowledge and resources to work for you.
If you sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident that wasn’t your fault, you need our compassionate advocates on your side.
We fight to get justice for the wrongfully injured and work tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages. Our team knows what it takes to get the job done.
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule your free case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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