Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. • Attorneys at Law
Slip & Fall
As a resident of Long Island, you and your loved ones encounter conditions and hazards, which are not always immediately noticeable, that create the potential for slip and fall or trip and fall accidents to occur. If you are injured as a result of a dangerous condition that exists on a property (residential or commercial), you might be entitled to be compensated for your pain and suffering, the cost of your medical care, lost income and future earning potential, as well as additional out of pocket expenses that you may incur.
Common injuries suffered in slip and fall and trip and fall incident include:
- Hip fractures and tears
- Shoulder fractures and tears
- Knee fractures and tears
- Ankle fractures and tears
- Foot fractures and tears
- Wrist and elbow fractures and tears
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
- Scarring
If you have sustained an injury following a fall, seeking immediate medical attention is important so that your injuries can be evaluated by a medical professional and the appropriate steps in your medical care can be taken.
In the State of New York, property owners have a duty to maintain their properties in a reasonable safe condition and to warn of and remedy hazards and defects promptly. If the property owner knew or should have known of a hazard and failed to correct it, or at a minimum warn of same, the property owner may be liable if the hazard and/or defect on their property caused your injuries.
Some of the common causes of a slip and fall or trip and fall accident include:
- Cracked or uneven sidewalks
- Broken curbs
- Potholes/uneven roadway surface
- Missing handrails
- Defective steps
- Mopped floors
- Spills
- Snow and ice
- Inadequate indoor or outdoor lighting
- Floor mats and rugs (or lack thereof)
- Unsecured electrical cords and cables
- Building code violations
- Safety code violations
In many cases, the dangerous condition or defect that causes a fall is repaired or resolves shortly after the incident takes place. Therefore, it is important to photograph the hazardous condition or defect on the very day of the incident or as soon as possible after your accident occurs to preserve the necessary evidence to prove your injury case. Many businesses now have video footage that possibly captured your incident on tape. Always inquire if same exists because often times video footage is only available for a few days before it gets destroyed/taped over. Collecting contact information for any witnesses to your fall and getting their statements about the defect and happening of the accident are also vital steps. Further, reporting the incident to the police or property manager is a way to ensure that the incident is properly documented.
If you or a loved one is involved in a slip and fall or trip and fall and have sustained injuries, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Being represented by an attorney in the days immediately following a slip and fall or trip and fall incident will help to protect your legal rights. Additionally, retaining the experienced premises liability attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. immediately after the happening of the incident will ensure that an in-depth and prompt investigation is conducted so that all at fault parties can be identified and all the relevant evidence crucial to the prosecution of your case can be gathered and preserved to put you in the best legal position possible.
The insurance companies will undoubtedly do everything possible to deny your claim and to minimize your injuries and the losses that you have sustained as a result of their insured’s negligence. The knowledgeable premises liability lawyers at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. are here to fight for you and to get you the money that you deserve. We will handle all aspects of your slip and fall or trip and fall case with integrity and care in order to achieve the best results possible.
Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. offers free, no obligation consultations to evaluate your potential slip and fall or trip and fall case. Our personal injury attorneys will not make you wait to consult with us about your options in the event the severity of your injuries has caused you to become confined to your bed, home or hospital. The attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. will make home and hospital visits to anyone that is not able to travel.
Call Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. now to set up your free consultation and case evaluation.