Every year, thousands of people are injured as a result of a slip and fall. While some injuries are relatively mild and result in nothing more than a bruise, others can be severe and debilitating.
In particular, slip and fall injuries among the elderly are very common, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three U.S. adults aged 65 or older experiences a fall each year. However, while the number of elderly adults who experience a slip and fall is high, a slip and a fall can happen to anyone, regardless of age.
If injured, a slip and fall lawyer in New York can help you hold the owner of the property where the accident took place responsible for your injuries.
Cause of Slip and Fall Accidents
While some slips and falls happen as a result of circumstances out of anyone’s control, other accidents are preventable. Additionally, a slip and fall can happen anywhere and to anyone.
But according to the National Safety Council, the most common locations for falls include the following areas.
- messy hallways.
- unstable work surfaces.
- stairs.
- heavily-trafficked areas.
- wet surfaces.
- ramps.
- unguarded heights.
- ladders.
- and, uneven surfaces.
In addition to the locations mentioned above, common causes for falls may include the following factors.
- surfaces that are slippery from snow or ice.
- potholes in the street that haven’t been repaired.
- carpeting that is uneven or not properly secured.
- an inadequately maintained stairway or surface.
- lack of a railing or fence.
- and, debris or other objects on the ground.
These factors and more can influence who is liable for the injuries. A slip and fall attorney in New York can be helpful to explore and prove liability in an injury case.
Who’s liable in a slip and fall accident?
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, the owner of the property where the injury occurred may have acted negligently, and therefore may be responsible for your injuries. In New York, premises liability law requires that the owner of a property exercise a reasonable standard of care to maintain the property so that it is safe. If the property owner breaches this duty, he or she may be liable if an injury occurs.
For example, if a property owner was aware that her property contained a potential hazard – like icy stairs – that could lead to a slip and fall but fails to correct that hazard, she could be liable if the hazard leads to a slip and fall accident.
Seek Legal Counsel with a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents may result in traumatic brain injuries, injuries to the lower or upper extremities, fractures, and even death. Furthermore, a slip or a fall may result in bruises, lacerations, and injuries to the upper extremities, face, and neck. These injuries can cause significant damages which injured parties may seek to recover in an injury claim.
If injured, seek consultation with us, we can provide you with more information about premises liability law as it pertains to your case and how to prove the negligence of the property owner. Your lawyer can also go over the types of damages you may pursue if you file a claim.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., a slip and fall attorney can take your case. In order to set up a free case review and to get started filing your claim, call us today at 800-550-0000 or use our online contact form.
