¿Cuánto tarda un acuerdo por resbalón y caída en Texas?

When they first meet with us, many of our clients ask, “How long does a slip and fall settlement take in Texas?” The answer varies, as it depends on the severity of the injury, the length of medical treatment, and the time required to collect and review evidence.

Some cases settle in a matter of months, while others take a year or more if medical recovery is ongoing or liability is disputed. It is important for injured victims to understand the factors that impact the timeline for these claims.

Contrate a un abogado especializado en resbalones y caídas

En Despacho Miller & Bicklein, P.C., has served injured Texans since 1994. Our team has experience with premises liability matters in all areas of the state. Our Texas personal injury attorneys review the medical records, incident reports, and insurance communications to show clients how settlement timelines progress.

We can also:

• Provide assistance to English- and Spanish-speaking clients.
• Explain which evidence is most important.
• Offer guidance based on Texas slip and fall laws rather than speculation or broad averages.
• Ensure consistent case preparation.

Factors That Influence Settlement Timelines

Several issues can affect the amount of time a slip and fall settlement may take in Texas. Medical treatment is often a primary factor; it is not common for settlement discussions to occur until doctors have an idea of the long-term impact of the injury. Severe injuries, ongoing therapy, and surgeries can all prolong the process. Liability review is another common consideration.

Insurance adjusters often want maintenance records, witness statements, photographs, and medical notes before making a determination about responsibility. If video footage or property records must be retrieved, that may take additional time. Clear documentation and early evidence preservation allow the process to move as quickly as possible, but each case has a pace that depends on its specific facts and medical recovery.

Medical Recovery and the Negotiation Process

Settlement conversations tend to pick up when medical recovery has stabilized, as the full extent of the injury must be known to begin assessing its value. Some sprains are relatively minor and can be addressed quickly. Injuries that require physical therapy or surgery to recover can take longer to stabilize before their value can be assessed.

Falls can happen at any age. According to CDC data, there are over 14 million reports of falls among older adults each year, with approximately nine million cases in which an older adult reports an injury. Documenting treatment plans, pain levels, work restrictions, and mobility challenges is always important. After medical records have been fully updated, negotiations can sometimes move forward with more information in hand.

Evidence Review and Insurance Evaluation

Insurance companies will generally review incident reports, photographs, witness details, and any video if it is available prior to determining responsibility. They will also check whether:

• A hazard had been present long enough to be discovered and corrected.
• The property owner had inspection protocols.
• The property manager holds liability.

Fall-related accidents have been recognized as a significant risk in Texas, where 92 fatal workplace incidents resulting from falls were reported by state agencies in 2023. When evidence is clear and uncontested, negotiations can be faster. If liability is in question, the insurance company may ask for more records or request additional statements, which can slow the case down.

Why Some Cases Take Longer to Resolve

Damages from slip and fall cases require more time to evaluate, as medical outcomes need to be known before determining the full extent of the victim’s losses. Persistent pain, mobility limitations, potential complications with fractures, and the degree of soft tissue damage may influence the value of a case.

The CDC recorded that 69.9 per 100,000 older adults died from falls in 2023, signifying the frequent risk of falling injuries for this age group. Complex injuries, cases where liability is being disputed, or multi-party claims can take a longer time to negotiate or litigate. A settlement usually occurs once both parties have enough information to begin assessing liability, medical needs, and anticipated future damages.

Preguntas frecuentes

How Long Do Slip and Fall Settlements Usually Take in Texas?

The duration of a slip and fall settlement is influenced by:

• How long treatment is expected to last
• How quickly liability is established
• How efficiently evidence can be collected and negotiated

Each case is unique and moves at a pace that is dependent upon the medical situation becoming clear and sufficient evidence being available to support it, as opposed to any set timeline.

Can Settling Too Early Affect the Outcome?

An injury’s full extent is sometimes unknown until later in treatment or, in some cases, years later. Insurance companies base settlement negotiations on a claimant’s complete medical records. As a result, there is a danger in accepting a settlement offer early in the treatment process, especially before injuries have had time to develop or fully heal. Settling too soon can establish a limit on the total compensation available for ongoing medical expenses and any unknown future consequences from the accident.

What Delays a Slip and Fall Settlement in Texas?

Factors such as protracted medical treatment, disputed liability, missing records, and requests for additional evidence may all delay a slip and fall settlement in Texas. The insurance company’s review process can also take some time, particularly when:

• There are several parties.
• An investigation of surveillance videos, maintenance records, or professional testimony is needed.

When all the essential documents are in place and treatment is well-documented, the process has a better chance of progressing smoothly.

Do All Slip and Fall Claims Settle Without Going to Court?

While many slip and fall claims are ultimately settled without having to go to court, it is always a possibility that a legal claim will need to be filed. The decision to file is often made when:

• The liable party or parties cannot be identified.
• The medical issues cannot be completely evaluated.
• Negotiations are stalled or fail.

Filing a claim does not guarantee that the case will reach a trial stage. Oftentimes, litigation is used to facilitate negotiations.

Contact a Texas Slip and Fall Attorney

The time required to finalize a slip and fall settlement in Texas varies based on the injury’s severity and available evidence, along with the duration of the victim’s medical treatment. Being aware of the process and keeping records up to date are ways to help a claim move forward.

The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., encourages those who have experienced a fall to programar una consulta with our firm. We can review what happened, discuss legal time limits, and determine whether any documentation will be required.