Slip and falls and trip and falls are some of the most common types of accidents, but often go understated in society. There is a perception that falls are a less serious kind of accident than, say, car crashes. But a bad fall can cause permanent medical complications that negatively impact your finances and ability to earn a living.
If you’ve been injured in a fall, you need to speak to an Oyster Bay personal injury lawyer from Chaikin Trial Group. If you fell because of dangerous property conditions, you may be able to sue the owner in a premises liability lawsuit. We can help you reclaim your losses in the form of a financial settlement.
Reach out to us online to schedule a case consultation with an Oyster Bay slip and fall accident lawyer.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Oyster Bay?
Slip and fall accidents can happen in virtually any place with foot traffic and floor obstructions. Slip and fall accidents can happen in:
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Sidewalks/parking lots
- Private homes
- Apartment complexes
- Restaurants
- Hospitals/nursing homes
- Hotels/resorts
- Construction sites
- Public property
Regardless of where the accident happened, you should talk to a slip and fall accident attorney to assess your case.
Slip and Fall vs Trip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall and trip and fall are distinct yet related types of accidents. Slip and falls typically happen when the individual’s feet lose traction and slip out underneath them. Because the feet slip forward, slip and fall accidents tend to cause head and back injuries.
Trip and fall accidents happen when the individual is walking forward and hits their foot against an obstruction. Since the momentum carries them forward, tip and fall accidents can result in face, mouth, hand, wrist, and torso injuries, among others.
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Property Owners Can Be Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents
Regardless of where a slip and fall accident happens, you have legal options. Under the rules of premises liability, property owners have a duty to reduce the risk to guests on their properties. If you were hurt because of some dangerous hazard that the owner knew about, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
The key is proving the owner knew about the dangerous falling hazard and did nothing to fix it or post a warning to guests. For example, if a store owner mopped the floor and didn’t place a ‘wet floor’ sign, they could be liable if a store patron slipped and hurt themselves. Similarly, a homeowner can be liable if they failed to remove ice from their front porch stairs and you fell.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
The losses after a falling accident can be immense, and your injuries may prevent you from working and earning a living. Depending on the circumstances, a slip and fall lawyer in Oyster Bay can pursue the following types of compensation:
- Emergency medical expenses and future medical treatment
- Lost work income and other forms of employment compensation
- Reduced lifetime earning capacity due to disability or impairment
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket injury costs (e.g., childcare, transportation, etc.)
- Loss of life enjoyment from scarring or inconvenience
We aim to be as comprehensive as possible with compensation and will not rest until we have turned over every stone. We understand the long-term expenses associated with serious injuries and will calculate a demand figure that accounts for these often-neglected costs.
Time Limit for Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
In New York, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit for a slip and fall accident. The three years start counting from the date the accident occurred or the date that you discovered your condition. If the victim was a minor, the timer doesn’t start until their 18th birthday.
Three years sounds like a long time, but you should never wait too long to initiate claims proceedings. Evidence from a slip and fall accident can fade quickly, so waiting makes it substantially harder to prove your injuries were connected to the accident. A lawyer can start things promptly and reduce the chance of delays or complications.
Contact Our Offices Online to Speak to an Oyster Bay Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
A bad slip and fall accident can change your life forever, leaving you in medical debt and severe pain. The team at Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers can be your legal advocate and help hold negligent landowners accountable for the harm they have caused.
Our team of slip and fall lawyers has over 50 years of combined experience and has recovered over $100 million for clients. We can provide aggressive and competent representation that fights for your best interests, no matter the case.
Contact our offices today or call us by phone to schedule a free case consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Oyster Bay.