The term “slip and fall” may sound minor. Unfortunately, it is not always minor and seldom simple. When someone has fallen and sustained serious injuries on another’s property, it is often up to the slip and fall attorney to distill the information, prove negligence, and ensure that the injured party gets fairly compensated for the costs of their injury. Before you make any decision, it is important to speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney.
A Minor or Frivolous Claim?
Slip and fall injuries have nothing to do with someone’s clumsiness, but they have everything to do with someone’s negligence. And when you consider the facts, slip and fall injuries affect far too many people to be considered minor or frivolous. Consider these facts from the National Floor Safety Institute:
Falls account for over 8 million emergency room visits annually.
Falls are the leading cause of occupational injuries for people 55 years of age and older.
For individuals aged 65 to 84 years of age, falls are the second leading cause of injury-related death, and for those 85 years or older, it is the leading cause of death.
Although some falls are merely accidents and will not require the assistance of a slip and fall attorney, there are those that cause severe injuries that require extensive and costly medical intervention. In the case where negligence is involved, this will often require a slip and fall lawyer’s experience and skill to navigate a fair claim for compensation for the injured party.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Injuries in New York
Slip and fall cases fall under premises liability laws. These laws hold a property owner liable for any injuries sustained on that property due to a matter of negligence.
Proving negligence can be difficult, especially when it concerns a slip and fall accident. An experienced slip and fall attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident and establish the cause and who is at fault. This will require interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, taking images of your injuries, acquiring any medical records, and, if your accident happened in a public place, getting a copy of any resulting accident report.
Slip and Fall Accidents and Insurance Claims in Brooklyn.
In most cases, a slip and fall accident will be settled with a claim through the owner’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t like to pay these claims and they will often downgrade or even deny them. Having the assistance of a skilled slip and fall lawyer will ensure that you have a legal professional who understands the industry and will be able to take your case to court if your claim cannot be fairly negotiated.
In order for a slip and fall claim to be successful, there must be proof not only of the fall itself but also the nature and extent of the injuries. Your damages must be thoroughly documented, from your medical care and costs to any other damages such as a loss of income if you have been unable to work. In some cases, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering come into play, which can be even more complex to prove.
If you have sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident, it’s always beneficial to speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney to understand your legal rights. At the Law Offices of Denis Davydov, we offer a free consultation to discuss your case. Contact us today.
