Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalizations. These incidents can result in serious and, sometimes, life-altering injuries. Our New York slip and fall lawyer provides compassionate legal support to those injured in slip and fall accidents. Our advocates can provide you with legal representation you need. We fight tirelessly for the rights of our clients and give each case the individual attention it deserves.
When someone else is to blame for your injuries, working with an injury lawyer can be essential to receiving fair compensation. Our NYC personal injury lawyers will take you through your legal options, explaining each step of the process and how the law applies to your situation. Contact Gregory Spektor & Associates P.C. today for a free case consultation.
Legal representation in New York slip and fall cases is not only wise, but it can also be vital to receiving just compensation. NYC Slip and fall lawyers will provide you with the information you need to proceed with your claim and help you determine the appropriate strategy for your case.
If you have suffered slip and fall injuries on someone else’s property, we are committed to helping victims with their injury claims. Contact us by phone, email, or online to consult our legal team.
Under New York premises liability laws, property and business owners are responsible for maintaining their premises and keeping it reasonably safe for visitors. Failure to do so can be considered negligence.
Several hazards can cause slips, trips, or falls. Property owners have a duty to maintain their property and warn guests of, or remove, any dangers. Some common causes of slip and falls include:
Objects carelessly left lying on the floor or poor maintenance of walkways can be a trip hazard. Wires, ropes, cords, loose carpeting, cracked sidewalks, and potholes are just a few common trip hazards.
Refusal to follow the correct safety practices at work could also create trip hazards. It is the responsibility of a business owner to ensure safe practices.
Water and other liquid substances on the floor could lead to wet and slippery floors that are hazardous to passers-by. Wet and slippery floors could also result from a leaking roof, a rain-slicked entrance, a recently mopped floor, etc.
Slips caused by wet floors can lead to severe injuries like back injuries or head trauma. When a property owner notices a wet floor, it is their responsibility to warn visitors and make any necessary repairs.
Handrails are not just a fixture, they are an important safety device and typically required by building codes. When not maintained properly, they can cause avoidable accidents. Inadequate or missing handrails may lead to a person to fall off the side of a staircase or lose their balance and tumble down.
Falling on stairs can cause lacerations, broken bones, paralysis, brain injuries, or even death. In the unfortunate event that this happens, the property owner could be held liable.
Poor lighting makes people more vulnerable to falling on different kinds of surfaces. Even if a surface is not dangerous in bright lighting, it may be dangerous in poorly-lit situations.
Property owners must ensure that areas around the premises are properly lit in the dark. This includes areas around the garages, sidewalks, walkways, and stairwells. If an accident occurs due to their failure to do this, they may be held liable.
Numerous dangerous conditions can cause slip-and-fall injury accidents. Anything left on a walking surface that should not be there presents a danger. Keeping floors and outdoor walking areas clear of hazards is necessary to prevent slips and falls.
Some common types of slipping and tripping incidents we see include:
Common Locations of Slip and Fall Hazards
In New York City, there are millions of establishments and property owners that should be cautious about risks and potential slip and fall related hazards. Some locations include:
It is important to note that one or more parties may share liability in an NYC slip-and-fall case. Researching and analyzing which parties may be responsible is vital to receiving adequate compensation after a slip-fall accident. Your Slip and fall lawyer in New York City will review the facts of your case and determine which parties may be liable.
Quick action is essential after an accident in New York. Your health and safety should be your top priority, seeking prompt medical care and removing yourself from the hazard is crucial. After you are safe, you should do the following to preserve your slip and fall injury claim:
The time after a slip-and-fall is often a whirlwind of confusion and pain. Healing and adjusting your life to a new norm can be stressful.
Several kinds of traumatic injuries can result from a slip and fall. Many victims live decades with chronic pain and emotional trauma.
As a result of such pain and injuries, slip-and-fall victims cannot spend quality time with their families, go to work and earn a living, or even generally enjoy life as they did in the past. Even the most minor injury can create interruptions in a person’s daily life. Some of the common slip-and-fall injuries include:
The impact of a fall can cause fractures. Wrists, ankles, shoulders, collarbones, and hips are most often broken.
Healing from a broken bone can result in a long and painful recovery period. During this time, the individual’s mobility may be limited, affecting their work and daily activities. Physical therapy may also be required for a full recovery.
Additionally, it is important to note that some groups of people are more susceptible to broken bones than others. For instance, the elderly are more likely to suffer fractures from a slip and fall accident.
Falls can sometimes damage the spinal cord, including slipped and herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, pinched nerves, and several other excruciating and incapacitating injuries. Slip and fall-related spinal cord damage can be severely painful, reducing mobility, and even causing paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries in the neck can be devastating. Depending on the severity and vertebrae damaged, it may result in quadriplegia, significantly changing one’s life.
Besides spinal cord damage, other neck injuries including to the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments can result from a fall.
Concussions are a mild form of traumatic brain injury. When a person’s head hits the ground or another object during a slip and fall incident, it can cause the brain to bounce against the inside of the skull. The symptoms of concussions include nausea, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, confusion, and even loss of consciousness.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Besides concussions, numerous other traumatic brain injuries can result from a slip and fall. These types of injuries include diffuse axonal injury (DAI), coup-contrecoup TBIs, linear skull fractures, epidural, subdural or intracerebral hematoma, subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage, and depressed skull fractures.
If you fall on dangerous objects like sharp metal or glass shards during a slip and fall it can cause severe cuts. Lacerations may require stitches or surgery and often lead to scarring.
Falling from slipping or tripping can lead to several other types of strains on the body. Damage to ligaments, muscles, and nerves can result from the impact or trying to catch one’s self during a fall. Treatments depend on the amount of damage done and could be anything from ice compressions, rest, elevation to rehabilitation therapy, or even surgery.
Facial injuries are also not uncommon during falls, including jaw fractures, broken teeth, eye damage, and nose fractures. Disfigurement can be emotionally traumatizing and may require multiple medical interventions to repair.
Slips and falls can be dangerous for anyone, but they are particularly dangerous for elderly people who sustain more serious harm and may be more prone to falling. According to a report issued by the New York Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention every year:
Falls among older adults can be mitigated by programs that identify modifiable factors that increase the risk of falling, such as muscle weakness, gait and balance problems, poor vision, and home hazards.
The cost of an attorney should not deter slip-and-fall victims from seeking legal help. At Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C., we understand that many of our clients face financial difficulties due to their injuries. For that reason, you only pay us once we win.
Rather than charge on an hourly basis or flat fee, under our contingency fee structure, our attorney typically charges 33% or ⅓ of your final settlement. The exact amount you will be charged will then depend on the amount of compensation and any other additional expenses incurred to pursue your claim.
During your free consultation, your slip and fall lawyers in NYC will discuss their fee. If we win, we will deduct our fee from your settlement or court award and provide you with a check for the difference.
New York does not have a cap on personal injury compensation. This means there is no cap on economic, non-economic, or punitive damages that you can receive. Ultimately, the amount of compensation available will depend on the injuries you have suffered, the circumstances, and the other party’s liability.
Types of compensation you can receive include:
Other factors that may influence your settlement amount include:
The assistance of an experienced New York City slip and fall attorney can be critical to understanding your damages. Our NYC lawyers can help you understand the compensation you are entitled to receive and determine a fair compensation range.
According to New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214, New York has a 3-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury civil lawsuit. This means that, with a few exceptions, a suit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. Failing to meet the statute of limitations can result in you being forever barred from receiving compensation.
Knowing the statute of limitations for your case is crucial. Your New York slip and fall Lawyers can help you understand how the law applies to your case and ensure the timely filing of your claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall in New York City, consulting with a sympathetic and experienced lawyer is crucial to your case. At Spektor & Associates, P.C., we are dedicated to helping you recover compensation.
Our New York City slip and fall lawyer will develop a personalized legal strategy, applying the law and addressing your goals. We are with you every step of the way, advocating for the justice you deserve. Call us today at 1 (800) 318-8888 for a free consultation.
1 . How do I know if I have a valid slip-and-fall case?
You need to prove that the business or property owner had a duty of care, they breached that duty, and that your damages resulted from that breach. A lawyer can help you determine whether you have a valid slip and fall claim.
2. What are the chances of my slip-and-fall case going to trial?
The decision to file a lawsuit and go to trial is significant. Personal injury lawsuits can take years to resolve. Alternatives to trial include settlement or mediation. You should speak to your trial attorney about your legal options and whether litigation is right for your case.
3. Who pays for my medical bills from a slip-and-fall?
You, an insurance company, or the property owner may be responsible for medical bills following a slip and fall in NYC. This will depend on the liability of the parties and the type of premises or homeowner’s insurance carried by the property owner. Your medical insurance may also cover medical bills and pursue the responsible party for reimbursement.
