When walking into a store, inside an office building, or up to a friend’s apartment, you don’t expect to leave with a serious injury. Yet slip and fall accidents happen every day across New York, leaving victims with painful injuries, financial stress, and unanswered questions.
While these cases may seem straightforward, state laws treat them with nuance, and knowing your rights is important. At Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers, we have 50 years of combined experience recovering more than $100 million in compensation.
As your slip and fall accident lawyer in Suffolk County, we can help you understand what victims need to know if they’ve been hurt in an incident like this. The sooner you retain us as your personal injury lawyer in Suffolk County, the sooner we can start working on your case.
Everyday Hazards That Lead to Serious Falls
Not all slip and fall accidents happen in dramatic ways. In fact, common causes of these incidents are surprisingly ordinary, though they are equally as dangerous when neglected.
On that note, these are encounters often reported by victims of slip and falls:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven pavement or broken sidewalks
- Snow and ice that weren’t cleared in a reasonable timeframe
- Torn carpeting, loose floorboards, or cracked tiles
- Dim lighting that makes hazards nearly invisible
- Cords, debris, or clutter left where people walk
These hazards might seem minor at first glance, but the law recognizes that they can create serious risks when property owners fail to take reasonable care.
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When Property Owners Can Be Held Responsible
Slip and fall claims hinge on a concept called premises liability. In New York, property owners, landlords, and tenants who control a space have a legal duty to maintain it in a reasonably safe condition.
This duty applies to businesses, landlords, municipalities, and private homeowners alike. However, responsibility doesn’t mean perfection. To hold someone accountable, your Suffolk County slip and fall lawyers will need to prove the following:
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The person responsible for the property either created it or was aware of it.
- They failed to fix it or warn visitors in a timely manner.
- That failure directly caused your injuries.
For example, let’s say a grocery store manager ignores a spill that employees also walked past and neglected to clean up for over an hour. In this case, liability may be clear. But if another shopper spills a drink seconds before you fall, it could be harder to prove negligence.
The Spectrum of Injuries From a Simple Fall
Slip and fall injuries are often underestimated. People typically assume they’ll end up with nothing more than a bruise, but victims tend to face medical conditions that require long-term treatment. These are common injuries sustained by injured parties in these cases:
- Fractured wrists, ankles, or hips
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Shoulder dislocations or rotator cuff tears
- Soft tissue damage, like sprains and strains
Older adults face heightened risks, especially when you think about how a hip fracture or head trauma can drastically alter their independence and quality of life. Even younger victims can suffer life-changing complications when falls involve spinal injuries or brain damage.
Consult a Suffolk County Slip and Fall Attorney Before the Deadline
In New York, victims of slip and fall accidents don’t have unlimited time to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline almost always means losing the right to pursue compensation.
That said, there are exceptions. For example, if the accident occurred on government property—such as a municipal building or public sidewalk—you might need to file a Notice of Claim within no more than 90 days.
Additionally, in some situations involving minors or incapacitated individuals, the clock may pause temporarily. Because these deadlines are unforgiving, timing is a very important matter that victims in Suffolk County should keep in mind.
The Role of Comparative Negligence in New York
New York applies a rule called pure comparative negligence. This can impact how much compensation a victim receives. Under this system, your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For instance, let’s say a jury finds that you were 20% responsible because you ignored a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign, and your total damages are $100,000. In that case, you could still recover $80,000.
In fact, even if you are more at fault than the property owner, you may still recover something. This rule ensures fairness but also makes evidence—like photos of the hazard, witness testimony, or surveillance footage—especially important in slip and fall cases.
Contact a Suffolk County Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accident Cases Today
Slip and fall accidents may be common, but they are not minor. Victims in Suffolk County often find themselves facing medical bills, spending time away from work, and enduring physical pain—all because someone else failed to take reasonable care of their property.
By understanding the types of hazards that lead to falls, the standards New York law imposes on property owners, and the strict timeframes for bringing a claim, victims can better protect their rights and pursue accountability. Call Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers for help today.
Our slip and fall accident lawyers in Suffolk County know how overwhelming these cases can feel. With a Suffolk County slip and fall lawyer by your side, you’ll have someone fighting for compensation and holding negligent parties accountable for you. Contact us today!
