Will I Need to Get My Deposition Taken in a Slip and Fall Case?

Colburn Law

Posted in Pedestrian Safety,Personal Injury on April 25, 2022

Slip and fall accidents can be serious incidents. It’s common for victims to experience painful injuries as well as financial hardship due to medical bills and lost wages. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you could recover compensation for these losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

There are many stages involved in a slip and fall lawsuit. One of the most important is the deposition, which occurs during the discovery phase of your claim.

What Is a Deposition?

During a deposition, the liable party’s attorney will ask you questions that you will need to answer under oath. The purpose of a deposition is for the lawyers to get certain facts about your accident on the record. 

A deposition can take place in the attorney’s office or a neutral location, such as a conference room. Your slip and fall accident attorney and a court reporter will also attend your deposition. In some cases, the deposition is videotaped.

If your case settles before a lawsuit is filed or before the defense deposes you, then you will not need to attend a deposition. However, depositions are common in slip and fall claims. There is a significant chance that you will need to attend one of these sessions. 

What Types of Questions Will You Be Asked in a Deposition?

The defense attorney will use the deposition as a way to learn more about the accident and how it affected you. Additionally, the lawyer will also be asking questions to assess your credibility and see how you would perform as a witness. These questions are usually very detailed and prepared in advance by the lawyer.

In most cases, the defendant’s lawyer will ask questions in one of the following four categories.

• Questions about how the slip and fall accident occurred
• Questions about the injuries and damages that you suffered due to your accident
• Questions about your past medical history
• Questions about your background, such as your family, work history, education level, past residences, legal issues, and other personal inquiries

For example, the attorney may ask you what you were wearing when the accident happened or what kind of shoes you had on. He or she may ask where you were looking when you fell, or what part of your body hit the ground first.

How Should You Prepare for a Deposition?

Depositions are very important. Anything that you say during the session could impact your right to compensation. It can feel very intimidating when a lawyer asks personal questions, and you may be unsure what types of questions to expect.

Your slip and fall accident lawyer can help you prepare for your deposition in advance. Before the deposition occurs, he or she will tell you what to expect, such as what time to arrive, where it will take place, and what to wear. 

Your lawyer will discuss your strategy for handling certain types of questions so that you can protect your best interests. He or she will practice sample questions so that you can feel prepared to answer the defense attorney’s questions fully and with confidence.

If you plan on pursuing a slip and fall claim, it is important to consult with an attorney. Your Washington slip and fall attorney can guide you through each stage of the litigation and fight for your right to maximum compensation. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your next steps.