Slip and fall accidents occur frequently. While many factors contribute to slip and fall accidents, they are sometimes caused by others’ carelessness or disregard. If you fell and were injured because a property owner in Islip, New York did or did not do something, you may be able to file a personal injury claim.
Slip and fall cases, unlike other types of personal injury cases, necessitate the assistance of a qualified attorney. Here’s why:
- The liability for slip and fall accidents is not always obvious. Accidents are hard for property owners and their insurance companies to take responsibility for unless it is clear who was at fault.
- Defendants frequently claim that the accuser’s injuries are not as severe as they claim.
If you suffered injuries after falling on someone’s property, you might be eligible for compensation. This blog will discuss what to expect when working with a slip and fall injury lawyer.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries Occur Most Frequently
A slip and fall can lead to severe injuries like:
- Internal organ damage
- Sprains and strains, as well as a broken hip
- Muscle, nerve, and bone damage
- Neck, head, brain, spine, and back injuries
- Body punctures
- Severe incapacitation or death
A slip-and-fall lawyer in Long Island is important for proving that the property owner was careless.
How is negligence established in cases involving slip and fall injuries?
In most personal injury cases, the duty of care determines liability. Public service departments, hosts, and property owners have a duty of care to the public. You can hold them accountable if they fail to do so and you suffer injuries or damage as a result. To establish negligence or carelessness on the part of the at-fault party, you must show that they caused your slip and fall accident, which resulted in your injuries and damage. To do so, you must demonstrate:
- The accident happened because dangers that could have been fixed or taken care of on the property were not fixed or taken care of.
- The property owner knew or should have known about the danger that led to the slip-and-fall accident, but he or she didn’t do anything about it.
- A careless property owner caused your accident, which hurt you or caused damage to your property.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may qualify to seek legal compensation for:
- Emotional trauma, anguish, pain, and suffering
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, surgery, and therapy
- Loss of income or earning capacity
- Testing, medication, and transportation for doctors’ visits
An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer in New York can help you figure out what injury you should be compensated for based on the circumstances of your case.
How can a lawyer assist you in winning your slip and fall lawsuit?
One of the most difficult aspects of such cases is demonstrating that you were not at fault for the accident but that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. With this in mind, the first task of a slip and fall attorney is to establish liability and damages, which are critical to your case. Here are some ways your lawyer can help you.
Gather evidence and investigate your claim.
Your lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident and either negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to trial. They will be in charge of gathering evidence in your case. This frequently entails visiting the scene of the fall and taking photographs. They may also require video recordings, such as cell phone footage taken by you or a passerby at the time of the accident or footage from nearby security cameras.
Determine who is to blame for your slip and fall accident.
The majority of slip and fall accidents occur so quickly that even the victims are perplexed as to how they went from walking down a mall aisle one minute to sprawled on the floor and injured the next. It can be difficult to pinpoint the source of your fall. A lawyer could be useful in this situation.
If you fell down the stairs, for example, it is the lawyer’s responsibility to demonstrate that you did not miss a step, were not wearing the wrong type of shoe, or tripped, but that the owner’s negligence caused you to trip and fall. The lawyer must show that the property owner was aware of the hazard that caused your accident but did nothing about it.
Prove the losses caused by your slip and fall accident.
Determining the value of your injuries and damage is a difficult task. But proving non-economic losses like pain and suffering is even more difficult.
An excellent personal injury attorney will assist in gathering all relevant case information, such as medical bills and records, to help prove any lost income. They will have to show that the property owner was careless and that their carelessness led to your injury or damage in a big way.
To strengthen your case, your lawyer may need to consult with and hire experts. The lawyer must also look at local, federal, or state laws to see if the accused person broke any rules or laws.
Negotiating a settlement of your claim
Building a slip and fall claim without the assistance of a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney can be extremely difficult. Aside from proving liability, you will need to negotiate a settlement, which is a skill that most accident victims lack. Working with an experienced slip and fall attorney increases your chances of receiving maximum compensation. A qualified slip and fall accident lawyer is familiar with and understands the laws that govern public safety. They will work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you are due.
Have you been involved in a slip and fall accident? Our law firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Silverstein & Kahn P.C. has over 70 years of combined experience in personal injury cases and can get you the compensation you deserve for your personal injury lawsuit. Contact us at (631) 424-6850 to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.
