Brooklyn Slip and Fall Lawyer
Each year, thousands of people end up in the emergency room after a slip and fall. Such an accident can happen at any place, at any time. Perhaps you were in a store, restaurant, entertainment venue, or on private property when the slip and fall occurred. Such an injury can keep you out of work for a substantial amount of time and run up large medical bills. Some slip and fall injuries, especially those involving the head, neck, and spine, can result in permanent damage and loss of mobility. If the property owner’s negligence was responsible for the fall, that party may prove liable for the resulting harm.
The Brooklyn slip and fall lawyers at Douglas & London can help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries. Our dedicated legal team has helped injury victims recover millions of dollars in restitution.
Call our experienced slip and fall attorneys for a free consultation!
Slip and falls in Brooklyn
In legal terms, slip, trip and fall cases are based on the concept of premises liability. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition, but that does not mean they were necessarily negligent when a slip and fall accident occurs. In New York, it falls on the injured person to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the property owner, or the entity leasing the property, was aware of the unsafe condition, or should have been aware of it.
Common locations for slip and fall injuries
It doesn’t matter if you live or work in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Flatbush, or Bushwick– slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. At Douglas & London, we provide tenacious advocacy in slip and fall accidents that occur on residential, commercial, or government-owned property.
Some of the most common locations for slip, trip, or fall injuries include:
- Sidewalks
- Stairwells
- Parking lots
- Shopping malls
- Office buildings
- Grocery stores
- Subway platforms
- Construction zones
- Airports
- Retail stores
- Apartment complexes
- Driveways
- Government buildings
- Restaurants
- Schools and college campuses
- Bars
- Theaters
- Stadiums
- Hotels and motels
In addition, many of Brooklyn’s apartment buildings are decades old and in disrepair. Apartment building slip and fall accidents can wreak havoc on your life, whether on sidewalks, common areas, or stairwells. If you were seriously harmed and believe unsafe property conditions were to blame, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
Leading causes of Brooklyn slip and fall accidents
An uneven or slippery surface can cause your feet to lose traction. The following are some of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents in Brooklyn:
- Broken or cracked pavement
- Accumulated ice and snow
- Uneven walkways
- Wet floors caused by a spill or water leak
- Broken stairs or lack of handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Trip hazards like electrical wires, debris, or loose rugs
- Freshly polished or waxed floors
If hazardous conditions are at the root of your fall and injuries, it’s essential to seek legal counsel. Victims may be entitled to monetary damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses. Our dedicated attorneys will identify all potential sources of compensation and have the skills to maximize a slip and fall settlement.
Injuries from slips, trips, and falls
People over the age of 65 are prone to suffering the most serious injuries, including broken hips and major concussions. The mechanics of falling on a hard surface results in predictable injuries, ranging from dislocated shoulders to fractured vertebrae.
Douglas & London handles injury claims stemming from:
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractured vertebrae
- Spinal cord damage
- Torn or ruptured tendons and ligaments
What to do after a slip and fall
Documentation is critical after a slip and fall. If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene, as well as pictures of your injuries. Sometimes, the reason for the slip and fall is apparent, such as a broken stair or slick floor. If you are not sure what caused the fall, carefully video the surrounding area. If there are witnesses to the fall, obtain their contact information.
If you are in a commercial building, report the slip and fall to the management at once. Seek prompt medical attention, even if you think your injuries are not that bad. Some injuries may not appear for 24 hours or more, but it is crucial that you receive an examination. Insurance companies are always looking for reasons to deny claims, and may allege your injuries occurred elsewhere should you delay going to the hospital or doctor. Never agree to any premises liability insurance settlement before speaking with a Brooklyn slip and fall attorney.
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit is three years from the date of the injury. However, if a government agency is involved – for example, the fall occurred in a public school or city, state, or federal office – a claim requires filing within six months of the incident.
How to prove negligence in a slip and fall lawsuit
Many people are injured because of unsafe property conditions, but a trip and fall on a sidewalk doesn’t always merit legal action unless your attorney can prove negligence. Business and property owners are required to take reasonable steps to remove hazards or provide adequate notice so that visitors don’t fall and injure themselves.
Your attorney will need to prove four elements to win your slip and fall claim:
- Duty of care—the property owner had a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for the claimant, who was an invitee or legally on the property
- Breach—the property owner knew about the dangerous condition or should have known yet failed to remedy the problem or warn visitors about the hazard
- Causation of injuries—there was a direct connection between the breached duty of care and the harm you suffered while on the premises
- Damages – your slip and fall accident resulted in injuries and losses that have been documented
Injured in a slip and fall accident? Tap to call for a FREE consultation!
Experienced slip and fall lawyers in Brooklyn
If you or someone you know suffered serious injury because of a slip and fall due to the property owner’s negligence, Douglas & London can help. When it comes to slips and falls in Brooklyn, you need legal advice as quickly as possible. Arrange a free consultation with our New York slip and fall lawyers today. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling our law office 24/7. After reviewing the circumstances of your case, we will determine your options going forward. There is never a fee unless we win.
