A slip and fall accident is often embarrassing. In the northeast, the weather can create dangerous situations, such as icy and wet walking paths, that may lead to someone slipping and falling. However, these events are more than just embarrassing, they often cause serious injuries. A slip and fall victim can contact a lawyer for legal assistance if they have a severe or catastrophic injury.
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. It might happen in a parking lot, on a sidewalk, or at a friend’s backyard party. Each year, one million people suffer a slip and fall injury and 17,000 people pass away from one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When these accidents occur on someone else’s property, that property owner can be held responsible for the victim’s injuries and recovery. The most common examples of outdoor slip and fall situations are listed below.
Water and Ice
The northeast can get some heavy snow and rainfall. Sidewalks may become covered in snow and ice, and property owners may not take the time to clear the areas. In the summer months, water easily accumulates and creates hazardous conditions.
A property owner may not be initially responsible for weather that causes dangerous conditions. However, if they do not remove the dangerous condition or warn visitors, they could be held liable for any slip and fall injuries that occur.
Poor Lighting
Street lights, parking lot lights, and other lighting fixtures that illuminate walking areas at night are extremely important to ensure the safety of visitors. When a property owner knows lights are out or that lights are needed to keep people safe, they may be liable for any injuries suffered if they do not remedy the situation.
Lighting helps illuminate the ground so people see any cracks in the pavement. Tripping over cracks, especially in the dark, can lead to serious injuries.
Grease and Oil
In parking garages and lots, cars sit for long periods of time. When a car sits, it may leak oil or other slippery substances. If not properly cleaned, these substances can easily cause a person to slip and fall. These slip and fall accidents are often preventable. If the property owner had simply taken the time to routinely clean the parking areas, a victim may have been able to avoid injury.
Sidewalk Cracks
In some situations, a property owner may need to maintain the sidewalk around their property. Especially if the property is a business, the owner may hold liability for the victim’s injuries when they slip and fall on a sidewalk crack leading up to the business.
Sidewalks may also be the responsibility of the city or municipality. A government agency may also be responsible for the injuries of someone who slipped and fell on a sidewalk.
What Injuries can Happen in Slip and Fall Accidents?
The above examples do not represent every possible outdoor slip and fall accident. While they represent some of the most common situations, victims can suffer injuries many ways.
Slip and fall accidents may cause the following injuries:
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocated joints
- Broken bones
- Concussions
The CDC reports that slip and falls account for half of all hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). While it might seem that a bruised ego is the most serious result of a slip and fall, many victims suffer negative consequences.
Slip and fall accidents often require victims to face painful rehabilitation and ongoing medical needs. These expenses are not cheap and may require payments of substantial medical bills.
How can a Lawyer Help With My Slip and Fall Case?
A lawyer can guide a victim through the complex legal process ahead. A lawyer can help the victim by showing them the path to recovery and acting as their legal advocate. The most important element for the victim to focus on is their health.
A slip and fall victim may be able to collect compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Present and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
Who Might be Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident?
When a victim falls and suffers injuries on someone else’s property, they may be entitled to compensation. Proving liability, however, is not a simple task, which is why it is imperative to speak to a lawyer. To show that a property owner is responsible, the lawyer must prove negligence. A lawyer can do that by showing:
- The property owner owed a duty of care to provide a safe property.
- The property owner breached the duty of care by failing to warn visitors of potential dangers or failing to correct the dangerous situation.
- Due to the breach, a visitor slipped and fell and suffered injuries as a result.
Proving negligence of the property owner might appear simple to the victim. However, doing this to a legal standard requires skill and resources. A lawyer may need to investigate the incident, interview witnesses, review medical records, and try to locate video surveillance.
While the lawyer works diligently to protect the victim’s rights, the victim can spend their effort and energy focusing on getting better. By partnering with a trusted legal advocate, the victim sheds the legal stress and only needs to worry about getting back to their regular life.
Burlington County Slip and Fall Lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Pursue Justice for Clients Injured on Neglected Properties
A slip and fall injury can be extremely painful and lead to medical complications. Victims should not take their slip and fall lightly, and they may need to get medical attention to ensure they do not have serious injuries. Victims should not attempt to shoulder these costs on their own. An experienced Burlington County slip and fall lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman can advocate for you. Contact us online or call us at 856-751-2345 for a free consultation. We are located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.