Tag: slip and fall accident lawyer

Slip and Fall Lawyer FAQ

Slip and fall injuries happen every day, and they happen in a variety of locations. And since slip and fall accidents are unfortunately common, a lot of individuals have questions about these, especially after being involved in one. Below, some of the frequently asked questions we’ve gotten over many years of representing slip and fall accident victims are answered.

Call 1-800-HURT-511 to speak with one of our highly qualified and experienced slip and fall accident lawyers in Brooklyn. We’ll help you file a claim so you can properly seek damages from the party that’s responsible for your injuries. We’ve helped individuals in and around the Five Boroughs, and we’ll help you.

 

Why Do Slip And Fall Accidents Occur?

A variety of factors can lead to a slip and fall lawyer accident, including:

• Wet and slippery floors
• Clutter
• Inadequate lighting
• Narrow space
• Uneven surfaces
• Uneven steps
• Sudden unmarked slopes
• Defective surfaces (carpets, floors, sidewalks, etc.)
• Ice and snow

Some hazards are unavoidable while others are hard to detect without proper warning. This is why property owners are supposed to maintain their properties and properly mark any hazards that arise.

How Often Do Slip And Fall Accidents Occur?

It’s been found that close to 9 million individuals are injured as a result of slip and fall accidents each year. While some of these accidents result in minor injuries, others can result in serious injuries and even death. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 2014 saw slip and fall accidents claim the lives of 32,000 people. It’s hard to believe, but slip and fall accidents are the third leading cause of death behind car accidents and overdoses. And various life-altering injuries can result from slip and fall accidents, like paralysis, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or an injury that necessitates amputation.

Should Medical Attention Be Sought Immediately After A Slip And Fall Accident?

The first thing a slip and fall accident victim should do in the wake of an accident is seek professional medical attention. Doing this right away is important for a variety of reasons. First, if you’ve been significantly injured, seeking immediate medical attention may prevent your injuries from getting worse.

Also, injuries sustained from a slip and fall lawyer don’t always present right away, and one may experience fall-related injuries weeks or months after an accident has occurred. This is another reason why it’s incredibly important to seek medical attention right away. A physician will be able to identify the signs that indicate delayed injuries, and they’ll be able to document these so there’s a record linking the injuries to the accident.

What Are Common Slip And Fall Accident Injuries?

A variety of injuries can result from slip and fall cases, and the common ones are listed below:

• Fractures
• Sprains
• Back & neck injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Cuts & lacerations
• Broken pelvis
• Knee injuries
• Dislocations
• Herniations

What Damages Can Be Sought In A Slip And Fall Case?

An injured individual is likely to be saddled with a range of expenses after a slip and fall accident, and if it’s proven that another person’s negligence is what caused the accident, the injured individual will likely be able to recover damages for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of past & future wages
• Long-term disability
• Pain & suffering
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Disfigurement

Who’s Liable In A Slip And Fall Case?

Slip and fall cases are in the realm of premises liability law. According to this doctrine, property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties so they’re in good condition and free of hazards. Once a property owner becomes aware of a hazard, they need to address this immediately.

In order for a property owner to be held liable for a slip and fall accident victim’s injuries, it must be proven that the property owner did not fulfill their duties. It must be shown that the property owner either knew about the hazard or should’ve known about the hazard, and that they didn’t do anything to remedy the hazard or warn of its presence.

For example, if you’re at a store and there’s a ceiling leak causing a puddle on the floor—and the leak cannot be addressed right away—there needs to be a wet floor sign so shoppers know the floor is wet. If a shopper slips on the marked puddle, it’s likely the store owner would not be held liable.

Do Slip And Fall Cases End Up In Court?

Most slip and fall cases are settled out of court, in large part because going to court makes the process more costly for all parties involved and can also elongate the process quite significantly. That being said, a recent estimate found that only 5% of slip and fall cases go to trial. But when millions of slip and fall cases happen in a year, that percentage can actually equate to quite a lot of cases. When a slip and fall case does go to court, it’s here where having a slip and fall lawyer with trial experience on your team is valuable. It’s even better if your lawyer belongs to national trial lawyer associations and has received awards for their litigation skills.

What Arguments Do Defendants Raise In Slip And Fall Cases?

All lawsuits involve a plaintiff and a defendant. And when one individual brings a slip and fall lawsuit against another, it’s likely the accused party will deny the accusation, making use of one or more of the following defenses:

• Plaintiff took unreasonable risks which put themselves in danger at the property.
• Plaintiff was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred.

A property owner might cite many more defenses, especially if they have professional legal representation.

How Can Video Footage Help In A Slip And Fall Lawsuit?

A video may serve as a valuable piece of evidence. Say, for example, a slip and fall accident victim is claiming that they sustained a serious brain injury as a result of the accident. If there’s a video which shows their head making a sudden and forceful impact with a hard service—i.e. concrete, metal, hardwood floor—the video may go a long way in proving the validity of the claim.

Is Hiring A Slip And Fall Lawyer Worth It?

There are so many reasons why getting help from a slip and fall accident lawyer in Queens after you’ve been injured in one of these accidents is a good move. To learn more about these reasons, call us at 1-800-HURT-511. We’ll tell you all about our track record of success, and we’ll make sure you feel comfortable and listened to when you discuss your situation with us.