Queens Slip and Fall Lawyer

Those who have suffered injury from a hard fall understand that it can be not only embarrassing, but extremely painful.  No one should get hurt because of the careless actions of others.  Failing to clean up or warn about spills, failure to clear sidewalks of ice and snow, or poor upkeep of footpaths can really injure people, and those irresponsible actors should be made to pay for the injuries they cause.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall, you may be wondering what you can do next.  If you are in Queens, or anywhere in New York City, Sullivan and Galleshaw, LLP may be able to help you get compensation for your injuries.

Slip and Falls Are Common Personal Injury Cases

All too often, people slip and fall or trip and fall because of the negligence of others.  These kinds of cases are common for personal injury attorneys, and law firms like Sullivan and Galleshaw are more than willing to help slip and fall victims get the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

The main elements of a slip and fall case require showing that the defendant was negligent, which caused the plaintiff’s injury.  In any negligence case, this requires showing four elements:

1. The defendant had a duty to prevent injury.
2. The defendant breached that duty.
3. The defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff harm.
4. The defendant’s failures caused the plaintiff some harm which a court can redress, called “damages.”

In a typical slip and fall case, usually the duty that the defendant owes is to create a safe environment for guests and passers-by.  This means keeping things to a minimum level of safety or warning of unsafe conditions.  When land or building owners fail to address these issues, people can get hurt.

Slip and falls are common in the following situations:

• Home or building owners fail to clear sidewalks of ice and snow
• Home or building owners fail to repair broken sidewalks or sidewalks with tree roots growing out of them
• Building owners do not warn of wet floors
• Store owners fail to clean up spills
• Cables and wires are left across the floor, creating a tripping hazard
• Construction sites leave tools or unfinished surfaces exposed without warning

No matter how your slip and fall happened, if it was due to the negligence of a property owner or poor upkeep, then you should be able to get reimbursed for your injuries.

What Financial Compensation is Available?

Financial compensation usually depends on the severity of your injuries.  In some cases, the injuries are severe enough to put plaintiffs in bed for weeks, or even to cause permanent injuries to the brain, neck, or back.  No matter how severe your injuries are, courts are able to hold premises owners responsible for your injuries.

You can generally be reimbursed for your pain and suffering.  While money will not make up for the pain and anguish you may suffer due to severe injuries, it can certainly help to make things right.  This is the ultimate goal of damages received in a court battle: to put the injured party back in the condition they were before the injury.  While that may sometimes be impossible depending on the injuries, courts try to get as close as they can.  Because of this, New York places no limit or “cap” on how much a court can award for pain and suffering, so a jury could award large amounts to make up for pain and suffering.

Any medical bills that stem from the injury are ordinarily recoverable from the responsible parties.  This means that not only bills for hospital visits and surgeries, but also bills for imaging like X-Rays and MRIs, physical and occupational therapy, chiropractors, or any other treatment you needed because of your injuries – even future treatment.

If you have been forced to miss work because of your injuries, or if they are severe enough that you can no longer work, you may be entitled to lost wages.  This means that the party who harmed you can be made to pay for any income you missed due to your injuries, or any income you will miss in the future.

If the defendant’s actions were especially bad and could lead to the harm of many people, courts may be willing to award special damages.  Used to punish parties or make an example of them, these damages are usually called “punitive” or “exemplary” damages, but are rarely awarded.

FAQ Queens Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Slips and falls happen much too often, and people who are injured may not know about their options for seeking compensation. The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) that our Queens slip and fall accident lawyers receive, including answers from our firm.

Who is Liable for a Slip and Fall Injury in Queens?

Liability for a slip and fall injury in Queens will depend upon the circumstances of the accident, including how and where it happened. Generally speaking, the party responsible for managing or maintaining the property where you got hurt could be liable. In some cases, this responsible party is the property owner.

Under other circumstances, a party renting the property, such as a commercial tenant of a business, may be liable. In yet other cases, the government could be liable if the injury occurred in a public area or on public property that a local or state government is responsible for maintaining. You should have a lawyer evaluate your case to determine who may be liable for the injuries you sustained in a slip and fall accident.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partially to Blame for the Slip and Fall Accident?

Yes, but under New York’s contributory negligence law, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How Can I Determine If I Have a Slip and Fall Case?

To have a viable slip and fall case, you will need to prove that there was an unreasonable hazard on another party’s premises that resulted in your slip and fall accident and injury. In short, you will need to be able to prove the elements of a premises liability lawsuit in New York. Additionally, you will need to file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

A lawyer can assess your case to determine the likelihood of proving a property owner or other party may be responsible for failing to act reasonably to maintain safe conditions on the property.

How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?

Slip and fall accidents can happen in a wide variety of ways, and injured people may be able to seek compensation. Some of the most common causes of slips and falls include but are not limited to:

• Liquid spills;
• Damaged flooring;
• Torn carpeting;
• Rugs without slip pads;
• Icy walkways;
• Missing or damaged handrails on stairs;
• Burned-out lighting on walkways; and/or
• Slipping and tripping hazards in a walkway.

What Steps Should I Take After a Slip and Fall Accident?

After a slip and fall accident, it is essential to gather evidence and information that will be critical for your premises liability claim. At the scene of the slip and fall accident, you should take photographs that can be used later on, and you should ask for contact information from anyone who may have witnessed your slip and fall accident. It is also essential to see a doctor as soon as possible since some injuries do not immediately have obvious symptoms.

Then, you should get in touch with a lawyer who can help you.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Queens?

The statute of limitations for most slip and fall claims in Queens is three years from the date of the injury.

A Queens Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help You Recover Damages

If you have been involved in a slip and fall in Queens, contact Sullivan and Galleshaw, LLP.  Our experienced lawyers handle a lot of slip and fall cases and know how to get you financial compensation for your injuries.  Call (718) 843-0300 for a free consultation.