Was A Friend Injured at Your Home?
If a friend has been injured in your home, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. While it’s not (entirely) likely that your friend will end up suing you, you still may need some legal advice as to how to navigate the difficult situation.
To start, get your homeowner’s insurance policy number. Your lawyer will need to review the coverages with the insurance company to see exactly what losses are covered through the insurance policy.
Next, don’t mention that you have a lawyer — to anyone. Securing the advice of a lawyer is generally a responsible way to make the most out of your insurance policy. However, anyone who hears that you have hired a lawyer will immediately assume you are planning a strong defense against the friend who got injured in your home. Word about a legal battle between friends (real or not) will travel fast and will easily complicate the personal relationship you have with your friend.
Ask your lawyer about the kind of help you can offer to your friend — especially any help that is covered through the insurance policy. Go slow and make sure you don’t overpromise. A slip and fall accident can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills. It’s very likely that your insurance policy will cover the losses, but you want to avoid going back on your word.
During the entire process, make sure you document everything. It’s unlikely that you will end up facing a judge about the accident. However, if you do, any judge will be willing to consider your notes in any final judgments.
