You were enjoying your day and walked into a store, café, or other business. Maybe you were just in to get your morning coffee. Next thing you know, you’re on the floor, and you’re not sure how it happened. You tried to catch yourself but weren’t able to. You’ve experienced what’s called a “slip and fall accident,” but all you know is that you’re now in pain. Through no fault of your own, you’ve fallen off your feet and may have sustained an injury.
How Did This Happen?
Businesses and property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for visitors, employees, and customers. Wet floors due to spills, precipitation or other mishaps are some of the most common causes. But other types of neglect, such as repairs that haven’t been made, can also cause injury to an unsuspecting individual.
Slip and fall accidents are a part of the law known as “premises liability.” Retail establishments, schools, restaurants, offices, municipal buildings, as well as bus and train stations are just some of the many places an injury can occur.
Types Of Injuries
Just like other types of personal injury, slip and falls can lead to:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue damage
More severe injuries can require expensive medical care, stop you from working as well as other life changes you weren’t expecting.
What To Do Next
1. Document the evidence—before you leave the scene, utilize your cell phone to take as many pictures of the accident scene as you can if you’re able to. If you are with someone, ask them to take pictures of the area where you can’t to supplement what you can photograph.
2. Notify—If the property’s owner or manager is not available at the time of the accident, make sure to notify them of your accident as soon as you are able.
3. Seek medical attention—whether you have someone bring you, or an ambulance is called, get to a doctor as soon as you can. Injuries don’t always show up immediately. If you don’t see a doctor, and you later file a claim, the other party can claim that your injuries were not severe and that you don’t deserve compensation.
4. Start researching options—how will you recover damages for your accident? Assemble your evidence (pictures, medical records, etc.) and begin researching your legal options.
5. Find (and hire) an attorney—once you’ve decided on your best course of action, it’s time to hire legal counsel to help you through the process.
6. Know that you’re being watched—now that you’ve found legal representation, it’s important to remember that the other party will also have legal counsel that will work to minimize your case or have it dismissed. Don’t post on social media about your accident, and be very cautious of anything you do outside that could put your claim in jeopardy. Your attorney will explain this to you when discussing your case.
NYC Family-Owned Personal Injury Law Firm
Have you been hurt in a slip & fall accident due to an owner’s negligence? Call us at (212) 777-9400 (or use our online contact form.) As a family-owned personal injury law firm in New York City, we have more than 26 years of experience helping people just like you. Our contingency fee arrangement means we won’t get paid until you do, whether we settle your case in or out of court.
