As the winter approaches, slip, trip, and fall accidents become more and more prevalent throughout New York, as ice and snow create excellent conditions for injuries to occur. In fact, trip, slip, and fall accidents account for nearly 25% of emergency visits each year in the United States. While these injuries are overwhelmingly common, slip, trip, and fall accidents can lead to severe injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a slip, trip, or fall accident, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC to learn more about your rights.
How do Trip, Slip, and Fall Accidents Occur?
Trip, Slip, and fall accidents can occur for several reasons. In some cases, the accident can be prevented by regular maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and surfaces; however, these accidents cannot always be foreseen. The leading causes of slip trip and fall accidents include the following:
- Uneven floors
- slippery floors
- torn or unsecured carpets and mats
- unsafe ladders
- broken handrails
- loose wires and cords
- Snow and Ice
- Broken or uneven sidewalks or pavement, including potholes
Common Trip, Slip, and Fall Injuries:
While trip, slip, and fall injuries are overwhelmingly common, the injuries are often painful and sometimes even debilitating. Victims of these accidents can sustain lifelong and debilitating injuries. Some common injuries include:
- Cuts, Scrapes, and contusions
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments
- Lacerations
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain injuries, including concussions
What to do After a Trip, Slip, or Fall Accident
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: The first step you should take immediately following a trip, slip, or fall is to seek proper medical attention. Have a doctor assess your injuries and keep track of medical reports, expenses, and other relevant documents. Doing so will allow you to identify, monitor, and treat any injuries you may have sustained from your accident and prove that your injuries were sustained from the accident.
- Take photos and identify any witnesses: Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident and injuries. It also helps to note any relevant facts or witnesses relating to your accident, including a narration of the events that transpired. These images and details are crucial and can help strengthen your claim in a personal injury lawsuit, especially if the cause of your injury, such as an uneven sidewalk, is repaired.
- Preserve Evidence: Hold onto any clothing or shoes you were wearing during your accident, as it can be used as evidence in your injury claim.
- Contact a trip, slip, and fall attorney: Speak with an attorney before providing written or recorded statements to the property owner or their insurance company. Insurance companies often avoid or delay paying claims and sometimes even shift the blame of the accident to the victim; our experienced personal injury attorneys can provide crucial advice to get more compensation than insurance companies typically offer.
What Kind of Compensation is Available?
The amount and types of compensation available to victims of slip, trip, and fall accidents are mainly dependent on the nature and severity of your injuries. Those who suffer from severe and life-long injuries typically receive more compensation than victims of minor injuries.
Compensation that may be available in a slip, trip, or fall lawsuit includes the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Permanent or significant disability
- Loss of consortium or enjoyment of life
- Past and future lost wages
How Can an Attorney Help?
While your injuries may entitle you to compensation, insurance companies, and property owners will do everything they can to avoid paying your claim. For this reason, it is crucial that you retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to fight on your behalf.
At Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf PLLC, our attorneys will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your trip, slip, or fall accident and the responsible parties.
- Consult with experts to accurately assess your injuries and prove negligence.
- Provide you with unmatched legal advice as your case moves forward
- Fight zealously on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, even if it means taking your case to trial.
Statute of Limitations
Don’t wait to contact a personal injury attorney, as there is a time limit. The statute of limitations for slip, trip, and fall accidents extends three (3) years from the date of the accident, meaning you must file your claim within three years of your accident, or your claim may be voided.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident, let the experienced personal injury lawyers at Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC fight for the money you deserve. At Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC, we have decades of experience handling slip, trip, and fall claims, and our results speak for themselves.If you have been injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident and believe that someone else may be at fault, contact us for a free consultation at (212) 935-2600.
How Halperin & Halperin, P.C. Can Help
For more than 40 years, Halperin & Halperin, P.C. has built a reputation in the legal community for its hard work, diligent representation, and advocacy for victims of negligent wrongdoing, personal injury, medical and professional malpractice, and commercial litigation. Even if you choose not to retain us, our attorneys will give your issue the focus and dedication it deserves—and find someone who can assist you if we are unable.
Please contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your civil litigation matter, as well as any concerns relevant to your personal or business needs. Simply fill out our online form, or call us at (212) 935-2600. We’re glad to serve you.
