While there is a tendency to view injuries that are suffered in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident as not catastrophic or life changing or even serious, our personal injury lawyers know firsthand how these types of accidents can be absolutely devastating physically, emotionally and financially. What is viewed as a “simple” slip-and-fall due to spilled liquid in a supermarket aisle may result in a broken hip that requires surgery and has long-term consequences for the victim. A tumble down the stairs may result in a traumatic brain injury or a serious back fracture.
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. In this article, we will look a little deeper into the different types of slip-trip-and-fall accidents that occur and how negligence (carelessness) is a factor.
What Causes These Accidents?
In many of these cases, negligence (carelessness) on someone else’s part is responsible. Here are some of the most common types of slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents we see:
Wet floors: Property owners, managers and their agents should make sure that liquid spills such as from a detergent container or spilled water is promptly mopped up. If there is no one available right away to clean it, the hazardous area should be taped off so visitors are aware of it and can avoid it. Once the floors have been mopped and left to dry, “wet floor” signs should be placed to warn visitors.
Ice and snow: Ice and snow tend to accumulate in many outdoor areas such as stairs and walkways. Property owners and managers have a duty to remove snow and ice that collects on sidewalks, stairs, parking lots and other walkways. Local ordinances in New York City require property owners or managers to shovel snow within a reasonable amount of time after the snowfall ends.
Clutter and debris: Clutter and debris may pose a significant trip hazard. For example, in stores, owners and managers should avoid stacking merchandise in aisles or leaving equipment, supplies, trash or debris on floors, which may create a tripping hazard. Similarly, trash or debris on stairs or liquid spills on stairs that hasn’t been promptly cleaned may result in a major slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident.
Damaged floors and stairs: Property owners and managers are required to maintain floors or stairs that have been damaged. For example, they must repair torn carpeting or mats that may trip those walking on them. Floor tiles and damaged floorboards must also be fixed promptly. Stairs that are cracked or have broken railings may also result in major injuries.
Elevators and escalators: When elevators and escalators are not properly maintained, they may potentially malfunction causing a passenger to slip, trip or be knocked down in a fall. Mechanical malfunctions on escalators may also result in major injuries.
Wrong choice of flooring materials: Some types of stone, tile or wood may create a greater risk of slip-and-fall accidents. Over-polishing floors or walkways may also result in slip-and-fall accidents. In such cases, the liability may rest with the maintenance companies or janitorial contractors who were careless and/or the owners and managers of the buildings. If an incorrect choice of building materials caused the accident, the architects, builders or other parties may also be held liable.
Inadequate lighting: When there a is lack of proper lighting, visitors may not be able to see obstacles, steps or changes in the floor’s surface. It is the responsibility of property owners and managers to install proper lighting and make sure lights are working properly.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you were involved in a slip-and-fall or a trip-and-fall accident as a result of someone else’s negligence (carelessness), please remember that you have rights. Some of the damages that victims of such accidents can claim include, but are not limited to, medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, past and future pain and suffering, permanent injury, etc.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For 50 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims.
Our law firm recovered $1,700,000 for a woman who slipped and fell and received no hospital or medical treatment for one month after the accident. Our law firm also recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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