Do You Know Your Rights in a Slip and Fall Case?
Slip and fall accidents, unfortunately, occur all the time throughout Brooklyn and New York. Depending on the situation, injuries involved in a slip and fall accidents can range from relatively minor bruises to serious life-altering injuries or even death. A slip and fall lawsuit earlier this year that resulted in a $16 million judgment highlights the seriousness of these accidents.
In February of this year, a jury awarded a Bronx grandmother $16 million in damages against the MTA’s NYC Transit division. In 2008, the woman stepped onto the landing of the Graham Ave. L subway station. The station was dark, and the woman could not see a gouge in the platform leading to the stairs. The woman tripped and tumbled down the stairs.
The woman suffered a broken hip and bleeding in the brain. She remained hospitalized for several days. Several years later, the woman still has severe brain damage and she is unable to communicate at all. Contact a New York accident attorney to evaluate your case and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Most slip and fall accidents are preventable if certain reasonable measures are instituted. Unfortunately, many public places and businesses are not adequately maintained and unsuspecting visitors suffer. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet, slick or sticky floors;
- Uneven, defective, or broken floorboards;
- Torn or uneven carpeting;
- Defective or broken handrails or staircases;
- Poor lighting;
- Unnecessary clutter, debris, cords, or wires that obstructs one’s path; and
- Potholes or defective sidewalks.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to recover compensation for injuries suffered in a slip-and-fall accident. In order to recover compensation in a lawsuit, it must be established that another party is legally responsible for your injuries. Generally, this means that the property owner or manager knew of the dangerous condition and didn’t fix the condition or should have known of the condition because another reasonable would have known of it and fixed the condition. Examples of recoverable damages include medical bills and expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
What Do if You Are Involved in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you or a loved one suffers an injury as a result of a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you should take certain steps to protect your rights. These include:
- As soon as possible take pictures of the accident scene. Also, take pictures of any visible injuries.
- Identify and obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Obtain immediate medical assistance.
- Contact an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer.
Contact a Brooklyn Slip and Fall Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall, a Brooklyn slip and fall accident attorney can help you protect your rights. The Brooklyn accident attorneys at the Peters, Berger, Koshel & Goldberg, P.C. have extensive experience helping victims obtain compensation for their injuries in slip and fall accidents, as well as other types of accidents.
Contact one of our Brooklyn slip and fall accident attorneys today for a consultation and case evaluation at 1-800-836-7801 or 718-596-7800.