Being injured on another person’s property is a frightening life event. In addition to the physical pain and discomfort, you must deal with because of your injuries, you also incur medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident. Who pays for these expenses? Are you responsible for paying the costs or is the homeowner?
Filing A Claim Against a Homeowner Insurance Policy
A homeowner’s insurance policy covers damages to the property and the personal property of the owner (first party claim). The policy also covers injuries sustained on the property by another person (third party claim). The most common claim filed by a third party against a homeowner’s insurance policy is for slip and fall accidents.
For example, you fall at your neighbor’s home because of an area rug on a slippery floor or a broken step. Another example is falling at a friend’s home because of a leaky faucet or a hole in the yard. There are countless ways you could fall and be injured on another person’s property. Other examples of injuries include burns from fires or electrical burns, injuries caused by hazardous substances, and pool injuries.
If you are injured on another person’s property, you need to treat the accident as you would any other type of personal injury accident.
Seek Medical Care
You need to see a doctor to protect your health and to document your injury. If you don’t go to the emergency room, see your family doctor as soon as possible. A minor ache or pain could be an indication of a more serious injury. It is always best to be checked by a doctor after any injury.
Notify the Insurance Company
You need to obtain the name and contact information for the homeowner’s insurance company. Call the insurance company to report the accident and file a claim. If a claims adjuster doesn’t contact you within a few days, call the company again. If the company continues to ignore you, call an Indianapolis premises liability attorney. You need to take steps to protect your legal right to receive compensation for your injuries.
Be Careful of Insurance Adjusters
As with other accident claims, the insurance adjuster investigates the accident to determine if liability exists. For you to recover compensation for your injuries, the homeowner must be liable for the circumstances that caused your injury. Every fall on another person’s property does not warrant an injury claim. If you fell because you were wearing high heels and there was not a dangerous or hazardous condition, the homeowner’s insurance may not cover your damages.
Therefore, you must be careful when dealing with the claims adjuster. The adjuster searches for information to use to deny your claim. Homeowner’s insurance companies are just like all other insurance companies — they love to collect premiums each month, but they hate to pay claims.
Be very cautious of providing written or recorded statements if you don’t have an Indianapolis premises liability attorney. Anything you say can be used against you to deny or devalue your claim (i.e. I was wearing high heels for the first time in years). Likewise, be cautious of signing a medical release. The adjuster may tell you that he needs your medical records before he can pay your medical bills. However, he may be trying to access your entire medical history to search for pre-existing conditions he can claim caused your current injury.
An Indianapolis premises liability attorney can deal with the insurance adjuster for the homeowner’s insurance company so you can focus on your recovery. The insurance company has a team of professionals protecting its best interest, and you deserve the same. Furthermore, it may be easier for you to deal with filing a claim against your friend or family’s insurance policy if you are not the one actually filing the claim.
Call Our Indianapolis Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
Call The Ken Nunn Law Office at 1-800-CALL-KEN or 1-800-225-5536 to speak with an Indianapolis premises liability attorney. We offer free legal consultations and no-obligation case evaluations. Don’t put off contacting an Indianapolis premises liability attorney to discuss your claim against a property owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. You must file your claim timely or lose your right to file a claim.
