Slips or trip and fall injuries caused by unsafe property conditions are common types of premises liability cases. While many slip and fall accidents result in scrapes, bruises, or minor injuries, others lead to severe harm, such as broken bones, herniated discs, spinal cord injury, brain injury or even death. If you or a loved one suffered an injury from unsafe property conditions, speak with a Long Island slip and fall attorney at Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP today.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall accidents lawyer serving Long Island, call 516-451-7900
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in NY
Long Island Slip and Fall Accidents Lawyer Near Me 516-451-7900
Common Injuries from Slip and Fall
There are many injuries that can happen from a slip and fall. Here are the more common injuries that can occur from a slip and fall:
- Head injuries – Falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Whether a minor concussion that heals itself or lifelong seizures, these symptoms can be paralyzing.
- Hip fractures – The CDC states more than 95% of broken hips occur from a slip and fall injury. An even more alarming statistic reveals that 1 out of 5 people who suffer from a hip break from a fall will die.
- Spinal cord injuries – Slip and fall can cause vertebrae to shift out of place upon impact. This is incredibly painful and makes it more difficult to move throughout the day. Spinal cord injuries can range from being painful to full-blown paralysis, in addition to neurologic issues.
- Sprains and fractures – sprains, strains, and fractures are quite common after a slip and fall. In elderly people, it can be much more devastating to their thinner and weaker When the entire body’s weight falls on the ground, it is easy to sprain or fracture tendons and feeble bones.
- Shoulder injuries – Surgery can sometimes be required to fix a shoulder injury from a fall. A shoulder dislocation, or a brachial plexus injury, can be excruciating and may need to be corrected with physical therapy.
First, take care of your personal health after a slip and fall accident in New York. Let someone know what happened, including giving a description of your injuries. File an official complaint with a store manager, property owner, or other parties. Take photographs of the scene of the accident and of any broken bones, lacerations, or bruises. Then, request an ambulance or visit a hospital for immediate medical attention. Don’t delay medical care, as this could damage your chances of pursuing compensation.
Prompt medical attention is best for your personal health as well as your personal injury claim. Broken bones, such as fractures to the hips or wrists, are common in slip and fall accidents. You might have an injury and not feel symptoms, due to the adrenaline from the accident. Always visit a hospital for a checkup even if you don’t think you’re injured. Head and brain injuries might have delayed symptoms, but still require fast treatment for the best health outcome.
Once you’re on the mend, start addressing what might have caused your slip and fall accident. Inspect the area where you fell, talk to eyewitnesses, and get a copy of your incident report. Insurance claim adjusters from the property owner’s insurer might contact you and ask for a statement. Do not give them one. Instead, contact Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, for a free consultation with a Long Island personal injury attorney. We can continue your investigation for you, assign liability, and help you file a premises liability claim in New York, if applicable.
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What Types Of Damages Can I Recover Compensation For?
A successful slip and fall personal injury lawsuit in New York could reimburse you for all your accident-related expenses. If the courts rule that the defendant was, in fact, negligent contributing to you falling, the defendant will have to pay you in the form of a settlement or jury verdict. Your damage award could include payment for the following losses:
- Medical bills and expenses, past and future
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Lost wages and capacity to earn
- Property damages
- Lost enjoyment of life due to a disability
- Funeral/burial expenses for loss of a loved one
The state of New York currently has no cap on damages. You have the right to seek full recovery for all past and future slip-and-fall-related damages through the civil court system. Having the right Long Island slip and fall lawyer improves your chances of recovering the maximum compensation for your slip and fall injuries and symptoms. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in the past through skillful litigation strategies.
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Slip and Fall Accident Statistics
Slip, trip, and fall accidents are the most common reason for premises liability lawsuits. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for more than 8 million emergency room visits in the U.S. every year. About 1 million visits are from slips and falls specifically. Slips and falls are especially common in the elderly, who are most at risk of suffering serious to fatal injuries. About 5% of slip and fall victims sustain bone fractures – of which hip fractures are the most serious.
Slip and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in elderly workers (those 55 and older). Every year, one in three people over the age of 65 will suffer a fall. Falls are the second-leading cause of brain and spinal cord injuries in those over the age of 65. The risk of falls increases with each decade of life. Many elderly people suffer serious slip and fall incidents right at home. In other cases, however, they are at nursing homes, stores, or restaurants. Slips and falls occur much too often for preventable accidents. It’s our job as Long Island slip and fall attorneys to hold property owners responsible for causing these incidents.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Premises hazards are common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents in New York. Any hazard that can make it unreasonably dangerous for property visitors to walk could lead to a slip or trip and fall.
Here are some of the most common reasons for slips and falls:
- Wet or slick floors
- Debris in the walkway
- Loose carpeting
- Ice-covered parking lot
- Uneven curbs
- Inadequate lighting
- No available handrails
- Cluttered aisles
The property owner is responsible for investigating and preventing slip and fall hazards. If there are hazards discovered, the property owner must remedy the issues to prevent an accident from happening.
Slip and fall injuries can occur anywhere — indoors, outdoors, on public or private property. Injuries suffered on another’s property, whether in a home, on a sidewalk, or in a commercial building or shop, are often caused by negligent maintenance or even complete disregard for the safety of others. If you have been injured because of a slip and fall or a trip and fall on a parking lot, an icy sidewalk or a defective sidewalk, those responsible may be liable for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Stores
Spilled milk in a grocery store aisle, freshly mopped floors at the mall, can all cause slip and fall accidents. If you suffer a slip and fall injury while in a store in New York, contact the store manager and explain what happened. Then, explore your legal rights with our Long Island slip and fall lawyers. The company or individual who owns the store may be liable for your damages if a reasonable and prudent owner could have prevented the incident. Our team isn’t afraid to go up against even the largest and most well-known corporations in Suffolk and Nassau County on behalf of our clients.
Property Owner Liability
People who own property have a responsibility to keep their buildings or land in a reasonably safe condition. If a dangerous condition does exist, the owner may be liable for your injuries if they knew or should have known that the dangerous condition existed at the time of your accident.
Dangerous property conditions are especially hazardous for the elderly, who are often less stable on their feet and have weakened bones and frail conditions. They may be more likely to experience serious injury from a slip and fall.
Many people who slip and fall assume the injury was their own fault. However, this is often not the case. Holding the proper party responsible can prevent others from experiencing similar misfortune. In addition, because a slip or trip and fall can result in a life-threatening situation, dangerous property conditions should not be taken lightly.
Get Experienced Legal Help in Nassau County
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, in Holtsville, New York, our attorney’s focus solely on personal injury cases, representing people injured in slip and fall, trip and fall, and other accidents. Our Long Island slip and fall attorneys are experienced in all types of premises liability cases.
We understand that a slip and fall accident can be just as devastating as any other serious personal injury that incapacitates and prevents you from working. We will strive to get the compensation you deserve to help you get back on your feet again.
As in other personal injury cases, we pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering along with other expenses incurred by the injury.
Allow us to work on your financial recovery while you work on healing.
Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP | Local Long Island Slip and Fall Lawyers
Call Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP (631) 451-7900 to schedule a free initial consultation with our slip and fall lawyers. Find out if you have grounds for a lawsuit to recover damages for the harm you suffered.