Every day, slip and fall accidents cause devastating injuries. Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of personal liability lawsuits in the United States. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall accidents account for over 8 million visits to hospital emergency rooms every year. Additionally, one out of every three people over the age of 65 experiences a fall every year, exposing them to potential hip fractures, lacerations, bone fractures, head injuries, and other serious injuries.
If you or your loved one have experienced an injury from a slip and fall accident in Putnam County, New York, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. The law office of Michael LoGiudice, LLP Has a proven track record of successfully obtaining settlements and verdicts on behalf of slip and fall accidents in Putnam County and throughout New York. Our legal team routinely represents victims who become injured after slip and fall accidents in restaurants, shopping malls, office buildings, personal residences, and other public and private property. Contact our slip and fall lawyers today to schedule an initial consultation and learn how to advocate for your rights.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are far more common than most of us realize, and they can happen nearly anywhere. Unfortunately, the majority of slip and fall injuries are entirely preventable. In most cases, the property owners where the slip and fall accident occurs failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent slip and fall injuries. Wet and uneven surfaces in are the most common cause of slip and fall accidents in Putnam County and throughout the United States.
Putnam County winters are particularly dangerous when it comes to slip and fall accidents. When sidewalks and roadways are slippery and wet, pedestrians are more likely to experience hazardous slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents caused by wet and uneven surfaces can happen indoors as well. It only takes a small leak onto the floor to cause a grocery store customer to experience devastating injuries after a slip and fall accident. The following conditions can also cause dangerous slip and fall accidents:
- Loose floorboards
- Cluttered floors
- Potholes in parking lots
- Torn or damaged carpet
- Poorly constructed staircases
- Recently mopped or waxed floors
- Moisture collection
- Loose floor mats
- Tripping on cords
- Objects left negligently in pathways or walkways
- Poor lighting conditions
- Spilled food
- Water leaks
Proving a Slip and Fall Claim in Putnam County
Slip and fall lawsuits typically fall into the category of premises liability lawsuits. Premises owners have a legal duty to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for visitors and customers. When they fail to do so, victims of slip and fall accidents can bring premises liability lawsuits to recover damages related to their injuries. Proving a slip-and-fall injury case is not as easy as some may think. Most slip and fall lawsuits are based on a legal theory called negligence. Proving negligence can be difficult. Plaintiffs need to prove several elements to succeed in a premises liability lawsuit based on negligence, to include:
- The property owner owed the victim a duty of reasonable care
- The property owner negligence or recklessness breached that duty of care
- The breach of the duty of care actually and directly caused the accident
- The victim suffered actual physical harm as a result of the breach of duty
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Putnam County
The actions you take after a slip and fall accident will directly impact your chances of success in a premises liability lawsuit. The most important thing you can do after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention. After that, it’s wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Insurance companies will often attempt to speak to victims of slip and fall accidents, hoping that they will admit that the slip and fall was their fault to avoid liability. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will protect your right to an insurance claim or premises liability claim. After a slip and fall accident in Putnam County, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Call 911 and request emergency medical services
- If the emergency services personnel recommend going to the hospital, do so
- Even if you don’t go to the hospital, visit your doctor for a thorough examination
- Report the accident to the manager of the property or the property owner
- If you can do so, try to determine what caused your slip and fall accident
- Try to document the accident scene by taking photos on your phone
- Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their names and contact information
Many of us downplay our injuries, and victims of slip and fall accidents are no different. In the aftermath of a public slip and fall accident, it’s easy to downplay the pain we feel. However, slip and fall accident victims must report all of their pain and injuries. A failure to do so could cause the defendants to claim that the slip and fall accident didn’t cause the victim’s injuries. Even if you feel like your injuries from the slip and fall accident are minor, it’s still important to receive immediate documentation of your injuries.
Recovering Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident
Successful premises liability plaintiffs are entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including past and future medical and rehabilitative care costs. Successful plaintiffs are also entitled to their lost wages and the loss of future earning capacity caused by long-term disability. Finally, successful plaintiffs are entitled to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and compensation for the mental and emotional anguish caused by their injuries.
Contact a Putnam County Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or your loved one have suffered from injuries caused by a slip, trip, or fall accident in Putnam County, New York, you need an experienced lawyer on your side. Contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP today to schedule your initial consultation.