When you slip or trip on another person’s property and sustain an injury, you may have a case to sue them for damages. Whether or not you have a case depends on a number of factors, and a personal injury lawyer who specializes in slip and fall cases can help you identify the circumstances that could help you win a settlement or award. In general, you will have to prove that:
- Your slip and fall resulted from a hazardous condition on someone else’s property
- The property owner created or did not take reasonable action to resolve that hazardous condition
- You sustained injuries related to your fall
While there are a number of factors which go into proving a slip and fall case, many plaintiffs have received significant settlements and cash awards. Slip and fall injuries can occur on private property, on public sidewalks, in public locations (including stores and other businesses), in the workplace, or in other places. Some of the most common slip and fall cases involve:
- Snow and Ice
- Wet Floors
- Unsafe Stairs and Handrails
- Inadequate Lighting
- Carpets and Floormats that are Damaged or Loose
- Potholes or Broken Sidewalks
- Obstacles and Debris that Can Cause Tripping
Proving a Slip and Fall Case
If you have slipped, fallen, and injured yourself due to any of these conditions on another person’s property, you may be able to bring a claim for damages, but there will be a few things you will need to prove.
First, you will need to prove that the property owner was responsible for creating the unsafe condition. This could be proven if the property owner either did something to create a dangerous condition or failed to do something to correct one.
You will also need to prove that the property owner was aware of or should have been aware of the dangerous condition and failed to resolve it in a reasonable amount of time. This can be the most difficult thing to prove in a slip and fall case. This is why you should always report the accident to the property owner or police as soon as possible. Contacting an attorney soon after the accident is essential so that important evidence can be preserved, such as security camera footage or the identities of witnesses. You should speak to an attorney before speaking to the property owner’s insurance company or investigators.
The nature and severity of your injuries will also come into play. Be sure to document your injuries by seeking medical attention as soon as possible and by saving copies of any medical records and bills you receive.
Finding a Slip and Fall Lawyer
There are many factors that may come into play in a slip and fall case, so the best thing to do is speak to a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to go over your case with you and determine if you have a claim. If you need slip and fall lawyers in NJ, the attorneys at Deutchman & Drews have decades of experience litigating all types of personal injury cases. You can trust us to give you the best legal advice, so get in touch with us by calling (732) 828-1300 or by filling out the online form on our contact page. New Jersey has a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, so don’t wait to speak with a slip and fall attorney; call Deutchman & Drews today.
