Slip & Fall
New York City Experienced Slip & Fall Lawyer
New York City Slip & Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents happen every single day. In 2018, the city of New York reported a fall death rate of 64 deaths per 100,000 older adults. A slip and fall incident is often a precursor to a fatal blunt trauma injury.
Pursuing a slip and fall accident lawsuit is the best solution. However, it cannot always guarantee that you will receive full and fair compensation. Handling a personal injury lawsuit by yourself could lead to more legal issues — this is where we come in.
Our New York City slip and fall lawyers are equipped with the knowledge and experience to handle any personal injury cases.
Our fall accident lawyers helped a client recover $750,000 in settlement fees in a similar case we handled. This case is only part of the many clients we assisted in the past. We helped them attain their justice, and we can help you too!
Giordano Law Firm’s New York City slip and fall attorneys are seasoned experts. We assisted countless New Yorkers with their slip and fall accidents.
When you require the help of our experienced NYC slip and fall lawyer, here’s what we can do for you:- Free consultation. The legalities behind a fall injury claim vary per case. We will help you uncover and understand what you need to know about your case. Our entire legal team will work together to reach the best possible outcome.
- Accurate damage estimation. An injury accident involves various recoverable damages. Through our help, we will ensure that you will receive the maximum compensation by meticulously assessing your damages.
- Settlement negotiation. Most insurance companies will trick you into accepting a low settlement amount. We can help you prevent this. Our lawyer will handle all the communications with the insurance company and ensure that you receive the best compensation.
- Case representation. In most cases, an injury case resolves at the settlement phase. Suppose that your claim has to go to trial. In that case, we can represent you on your behalf and deliver the arguments for your case.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of NYC Slip & Fall Accidents
A negligent property owner often causes slip and fall cases. It’s also possible that the area is prone to accidents. Careless accidents are preventable if property owners practice safety measures on their property.
New York City slip and fall accidents are commonly caused by:
Slippery floor. Wet floors are the most common culprit of slip and fall accidents in NYC. Placing wet floor signs can help decrease the chances of fall accidents due to damp floors.
Defected floorboards. Floorboards deteriorate over time. This wear and tear make an old floorboard easily destroyed, leading to serious injuries.
Broken ladders or stairs. Ladders and stairs are also prone to natural deterioration. Construction workers who use detective ladders or stairs are more likely to encounter an accident.
Poor lighting. Insufficient lighting provides less vision. This decreased sight and awareness of the surrounding is an accident waiting to happen.
Scattered cords, wirings, or strings. Unorganized lines can cause trip and fall accidents. Accidents related to this situation are commonly seen in workplaces, especially in the construction industry.
What Are The Most Common Slip And Fall Injuries?
Unsafe conditions and negligence are the primary causes of fall accidents. Slip and fall injury cases are often complicated and result in various injuries.
Injuries acquired in a slip and fall accident are usually severe and life-threatening. Catastrophic injuries, such as those seen in a fall accident, are more expensive to treat and can take you long to recover. Because of this increased threat to the victim’s life, it is often returned with high compensation. Here are the most commonly reported injuries in an NYC slip and fall accident:Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic damage to the brain is a potentially fatal injury. An intense blunt force trauma often causes traumatic brain injuries. TBIs are classified into two, and they can be a close head injury or a penetrating injury.
A TBI is often a close-head injury in most slip and fall accidents. If you sustained a mild TBI, you might see these symptoms:- Ringing headache and a short loss of consciousness;
- Confusion, dizziness, and lightheadedness;
- Slight behavioral changes.
- Repeated and increasing headache;
- Vomiting, nausea, or seizures;
- Loss of balance and coordination.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a critical organ that serves as the brain’s messenger. Even the slightest damage to this essential organ can lead to a fatality or disability.
One of the most commonly documented effects of spinal cord damage is paralysis. A victim may sustain incomplete or complete paralysis.- Complete paralysis. A complete or total paralysis prevents you from moving your entire body. It may also impair your sensory and excretory functions.
- Incomplete paralysis. A partial or incomplete paralysis affects a certain region of your body. The affected portion may lose its motor and sensory functions.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Various physical activities cause damage to the soft tissue. Victims often encounter this injury in most personal injury claims. Sprain, strain, and contusion are the most common symptoms of soft tissue injuries.
A sprain is a damage to the ligaments. The ankle is usually the affected body part in a slip and fall accident. Although sprains are treatable, they can also be a precursor to a fracture. You should seek professional help when the pain is coming from the bone.
A strain is a tear in the muscle. Often this is caused by muscle overuse, but slip accidents can also cause this injury. Similar to a sprain, a strain is also treatable at home.
A contusion is a type of bruising seen after a blunt force trauma. There are various types of contusion, but they are all treatable with rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Fractured Bones
Bone fractures are also commonly encountered in most personal injury cases. A fracture may be an open or a closed fracture.
When a broken portion of the bone sticks outside the skin, it’s called an open fracture. A fracture that doesn’t tear the skin is described as a closed fracture. It’s best not to move when you sustain a fracture after a slip accident. Moving may further worsen the damage. The best thing to do is stop any bleeding and apply an ice pack to a swelling area. Immediately call the emergency services after the accident. Delaying medical treatment may lead to severe and catastrophic damages.Other Injuries
You may also suffer injuries other than the ones specified above. Here are other injuries reported by victims following a slip accident.
Head injuries;
Severe cuts or abrasions;
Whiplash;
Knee damages;
Shoulder dislocation.
Slip and fall accidents can cause a diverse variety of injuries. You must seek a medical evaluation after an accident to receive your treatment. Furthermore, you need to talk to a New York City slip fall lawyer if you decide to pursue legal action against the property owner.
Where Do Trip And Fall Accidents Commonly Occur?
Most fall accidents occur outside the victim’s property. A dangerous condition in workplaces, public areas, and private properties can lead to accidents.
The chances of fall accidents occurring vary on the location. Some places have strict rules and regulations to prevent unwanted scenarios from happening. In contrast, most public places offer minimal fall accident warnings.
- Workplaces. The carpentry and construction industry often reports the highest number of slip and fall accidents.
- Restaurants and malls. Slippery and unkempt floors may cause fall accidents.
- Parking spaces. Parking lots are often dimly lighted and could lead to slip accidents if the victim is unwary.
- Bars and clubs. Party-goers could face severe slip and fall injuries due to limited vision inside a dark club.
- Swimming pools. Swimmers may encounter a slip and fall accident if they aren’t careful. A large body of water and a tiled floor could create an extra slippery surface.
If you slipped and sustained an injury on somebody else’s property, you may be entitled to pursue damages.
However, a thorough investigation would need to occur to properly assign the accident’s liability. Hiring a New York City slip & fall lawyer can improve your chances of recovering compensation for your damages.
Who Is Liable For A Slip And Fall Accident In New York?
Affixing liability in a slip and fall accident can be a challenging task. In many cases, the property owner is chargeable for the injuries sustained by the victim.
It is a landlord’s responsibility to ensure that his property is free from foreseeable injuries. If the property owner’s negligence caused an injury to any individual on the property, the injured guest may recover damages.
The burden of proving the defendant’s liability falls upon the victim (plaintiff). Generally speaking, before you can hold property owners liable for your injuries, you need to prove these elements:
- A hazardous condition, obstacle, defect or other danger exists on the property;
- The property owner has either actual or constructive notice of that condition;
- An accident (trip or slip and fall) is caused by the hazard, i.e. the property owner’s negligence causes your accident;
- You suffer an injury and damages as a result of the accident.
If a negligent landlord caused your injury, our New York City slip & fall attorney could help. You may be entitled to submit a premises liability claim due to the property owner’s lack of due care.
What Are The Compensatory Damages Available To NYC Slip & Fall Accident Victims?
Slip and fall victims are entitled to demand and receive full and fair compensation for their injuries. If the accident occurred because of the owner’s negligence, the Premises Liability Law requires them to compensate the victim for his or her damages.
Our New York City slip & fall lawyer has extensive knowledge of the local statutes and common law. We can help you understand what damages you can recover and how much monetary compensation you might obtain.
In New York City, accident victims are entitled to receive compensation for the following:
Medical Expenses
An injured person is entitled to receive compensatory damages for their medical bills. Other than medical bills, a trip and fall accident victim may also recover money from diagnostic, medication, treatment, and doctor’s visit fees.
In addition, victims can also demand compensation if they will need to receive continuous medical attention in the future.
You also may receive lost wages or other income.
You will be able to recover non-economic damages, i.e., pain and suffering, as indicated below.
Your New York City slip and fall lawyer can help you understand what damages can be recovered under this category. They will help you obtain the maximum compensation possible for your case.
Pain And Suffering
Damages under this category are often called non-economic damages. Under medical expenses, pain and suffering are subjective. This damage refers to the emotions and suffering you endured because of the accident.
Unlike medical expenses, computation for pain and suffering is not straightforward. There are several ways the court can determine how much you will recover for non-economic damages.
Lost Wages
In New York, workers’ compensation benefits are available for employees injured at work. These benefits can help an injured worker pay for medical expenses and lost wages.
However, remember that you may not file a lawsuit against your employer for accepting a worker’s compensation benefit.
It’s advisable to confer with your lawyer about this matter. Your New York City slip & fall attorney can help you find an alternative way to recover lost wages.
Loss Of Earning Capacity Value
A loss of earning capacity value is available for injury victims who sustained a permanent disability. The New York law allows the victim to receive compensation for their loss of future income.
The Worker’s Compensation Board will assess your medical records. They will identify how long you will need to receive recoverable damages in the future.
Workers Who Slip Or Fall On The Job May Get Worker's Compensation
As mentioned in former sections, workers’ compensation benefits allow the victim to recover their lost income. By signing this agreement, you waive your rights to sue your employer.
This agreement works for the injured party and the employer. However, you must speak with your slip and fall lawyer before agreeing to any terms. They can help you identify if taking the agreement is beneficial for your case.
Things You Should Do Right After Your Slip And Fall Accident In New York
Following a slip and fall incident, you need to seek medical care and preserve as much evidence as possible. Here’s what you need to do when you encounter a slip accident in New York:
Call the emergency services. After an accident, you need to have your injuries checked by a medical professional. You must not reject the medical team from checking you for damages.
Contact law enforcement. You also need to call for a law enforcement officer. They will create a report about the incident, which you can use later as proof when building your case.
Gather and preserve evidence. Take photos or videos of your injury and surroundings.
Look for willing witnesses. Look for anyone who witnessed the accident and ask for their contact number. They can testify if you will need witness testimonials.
Consult an attorney. An NYC slip and fall attorney can help you build a solid case. They will help you obtain the maximum possible compensation for your damages.
Why Should You Choose Giordano Law For Your Slip And Fall Accident Case
Giordano Law Firm has helped innumerable injury accident victims, and we can help you too! When you reach us for help, this is what you’re going to receive:
- Contingency basis. We function on a “No win, no pay” basis. We will only receive payment when we are successful with your case.
- Free consultation. All our consultations are free. You don’t need to fret about paying hefty fees for a meeting with our lawyers.
- Top-notch track record. We helped our clients recover millions and six figures for their damages. By building a solid case, we were able to help our clients recover maximum compensation.
- Exceptional customer service. As our valued client, you can reach us 24/7. At our law firm, all client calls are important.
NYC Slip And Fall Accident FAQs
New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules section 214 states that victims can sue their defendant within three years. The three-year count will start when the injury occurs. Once the limit passes, the victim can no longer sue the defendant.
New York State Law CPLR § 1411 (2012) explains the state’s comparative negligence law. New York follows a pure comparative negligence law. The victim can recover compensation, but the court will reduce it to the fraction he contributed to the accident.
You should hire a New York City slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. The soonest you hire an attorney, the better. Keep in mind that any delay in the processing of your case can jeopardize the shreds of evidence you can use for your case.
You can prove liability in a slip and fall claim if all the elements of a slip and fall accident are checked out. Your lawyer can help you identify these elements. Furthermore, they can also help you file personal injury lawsuits, if applicable.
Slip And Fall Lawyer Near Me | Contact Us To Speak With A New York City Slip And Fall Attorney For Free
When you suffer catastrophic injuries in a slip and fall accident, you need the help of an experienced New York slip and fall accident attorney.
Giordano Law Firm has consistently advocated for the rights of injury victims. We can help you seek the justice you rightfully deserve. Call us now at (646) 217-0749 for a free consultation. You may also reach us via our online contact form.
The Giordano Law Firm was founded by Attorney Jack Giordano. Mr. Jack Giordano is the managing partner and principal at the Giordano Law Firm.