New Jersey Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

Slip and falls remain one of the leading causes of preventable injuries in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “One out of 10 falls results in an injury that causes the older adult to restrict their activities for a day or more or to seek attention from the healthcare system. Each year, there are about 3 million emergency department visits due to older people falls.” But older people are not the only ones at risk from slip and falls. Anyone could be injured in a fall, especially if they are exposed to hazardous conditions such as a sidewalk covered in ice.

Many slip and fall accidents are preventable and involve some amount of negligence on the part of property owners. Businesses and property owners must take reasonable steps to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition in order to prevent falls. This includes removing tripping hazards. But far too often, this does not take place. Any person who is injured in a slip and fall may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. The New Jersey Englewood slip and fall accident attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help you. Our legal team can evaluate the unique facts of your case free of charge and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued. You can reach out to us anytime for a risk-free consultation at 800-529-9997.

Common Causes of New Jersey Slip And Fall Accidents

Inclement weather in New Jersey is a major contributing factor to many of the slip and falls that take place. Rain can make walkways slick. The winter months can be particularly hazardous. It is common for ice to cover walkways as well as roadways. Much of the ice can be difficult to spot, especially on black surfaces. There are a number of other common causes of slip and fall accidents.

• Wet or Slippery Floors: Wet floors are one of the most common causes of slip and falls that take place inside buildings. A floor may become slick from a spill or leak in the roof.
• Uneven Surfaces: People walk around almost entirely on instinct without paying very close attention to walkways. If a person’s foot gets caught on an uneven surface, this can easily lead them to fall.
• Poor lighting: Stairwells, hallways, and parking lots can be tripping hazards in the best of circumstances. When these locations are dimly lit, this can make it difficult for people to see potential hazards.
• Lack of Handrails: Stairs and ramps should have handrails in most circumstances. These can help people keep their balance and thus prevent many slip and falls.
• Poor Maintenance: A lack of regular maintenance, such as not repairing potholes or failing to clear walkways, makes slip and falls more likely.

Medical conditions that affect a person’s equilibrium or mobility can also substantially increase the odds that a slip and fall takes place. This is one of the many reasons that hospitals and care centers should do everything within their power to ensure that their premises are safe. When any property owner fails to take reasonable measures in order to prevent slip and falls, they could be held at fault for the resulting injuries.

Liability For New Jersey Slip And Fall Accidents

Under common law, plaintiffs must establish the existence of a duty of care breached by the property owner, thereby causing injury to the plaintiff. Consider, for example, Townsend v. Pierre, 221 N.J. 36 (2015). In order to determine if a duty of care exists, the relationship between the injured party and the property owner must be understood. Generally speaking, property owners have a much greater duty to protect business invitees and social guests than trespassers. Several different entities could be liable for a slip and fall accident.

• Property Owners: The owners of a property could be liable for a slip and fall and could face liability if they failed to maintain their premises in a safe condition.
• Property Managers: If a property is managed by a third-party, they could be responsible for failing to address hazardous conditions. This could include failing to fix potholes, walkways, or slick surfaces.
• Business Owners: Any company that does business with the public must take steps to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe.
• Landlords: A landlord could be held liable for a slip and fall. Apartment buildings often have stairwells, lobbies, and parking lots where people may trip. These locations and others must be periodically inspected and well maintained.
• Government Entities: If an accident occurred on public property, such as a public sidewalk, park, or government building, the government entity that controlled that property could be held at fault. For example, a person could trip on a cracked sidewalk or pothole.
• Contractor or Maintenance Companies: It is common for property owners and businesses to hire third-party contractors in order to maintain their properties. These contractors could be liable for a slip and fall if they failed in their duties and someone was hurt.

Determining liability for any slip and fall requires that a thorough investigation be conducted. In particular, it must be determined if a property owner knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition that caused an injury. If a property owner has actual or constructive notice about a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. Failing to take action in such a circumstance could form the basis of a negligence claim.

How To Prevent Slip And Fall Accidents

Slip and falls can leave victims with serious and traumatic injuries. Common injuries will include dislocations, knee injuries, fractures and sprains. Older adults are at a heightened risk of sustaining hip fractures. Falls are also a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries can severely impact a person’s ability to work or simply enjoy everyday activities. It is therefore crucial that property owners take a number of measures in order to prevent slip and falls.

• Regular Inspections: Every property owner should conduct regular inspections in order to identify and address potential hazards. This could include wet floors, uneven surfaces, and debris left on walkways.
• Hazard Remediation: Property owners should work quickly to clear up identifiable hazards such as wet floors, damaged stairways, and potholes.
• Warning Signs: Property owners should take reasonable measures in order to warn people about temporary hazards. For example, wet floor signs should be used after spills or when a floor has been cleaned.
• Adequate Lighting: Every property should be adequately lit. This is especially important in stairways, hallways, and entryways.
• Safe Flooring: Certain surfaces can be particularly slick and contribute to slip and falls. Property owners should consider using non-slip mats in areas that are prone to getting wet.
• Maintenance: Property owners should ensure that HVAC and pumping systems undergo preventative maintenance in order to prevent leaks. Stairways and railings should also be maintained in order to make sure that they are sturdy.
• Legal Compliance: All property owners should conduct regular safety audits in order to ensure that they are compliant with safety standards.

The vast majority of slip and fall accidents are preventable. They often involve situations where property owners fail to adequately maintain their premises. A property owner may have known that several people were injured in slips and falls at a certain location but still failed to take action. Part of the problem is that many property owners are simply looking to save as much money as possible, even when this leads to major safety shortcomings.

Steps To Take After A New Jersey Slip And Fall Accident

A slip and fall can become a major setback for individuals and their families. It is common for victims to need to take extensive periods of time away from work. They may also be left with high medical bills. Many injuries are so serious that they can impair a person’s mobility for the rest of their life. It is crucial that victims of slip and falls take certain steps in order to preserve their rights.

• Seek Medical Attention: Accident victims should seek medical attention as early as possible. Many of the injuries associated with slip and falls may not be immediately obvious, especially head injuries.
• Report The Accident: After any slip and fall, it is important to create an official record of what happened. Make sure to obtain a copy of any report and keep it for your records.
• Document The Scene: If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, do your best to document the scene. This should include taking photos of any hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
• Keep Records: Maintain a file that contains all of your medical bills and expenses related to the accident. This can help quantify damages if you choose to pursue a legal claim.
• Contact an Attorney: Any person injured in a slip and fall should seek the legal advice of a skilled slip and fall attorney. They can guide you through the legal process and advise you on the best course of action.

Many people are quick to blame themselves if they are injured in a fall. But the fact of the matter is that many slip and falls involve some amount of negligence. Any person who is injured due to the negligent actions or inaction of a property owner may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. There are no up-front costs associated with hiring an new Jersey slip and fall attorneys, and they only get paid by the opposing party if they are able to resolve your case.

Getting Legal Help After A New Jersey Englewood Slip And Fall Accident

The New Jersey slip and fall attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. understand how difficult it can be to move forward after any accident. We’ve seen up close how these accidents can upend people’s lives. This is why we are so determined to help our clients get the best outcome possible after any slip and fall accident.

Our law firm has consistently achieved some of the highest verdicts and settlements for victims of slip and falls. This includes a $3,750,000 settlement for a construction worker who fell through a manhole, a $3,400,000 verdict for a man who fell on a sidewalk, and a $2,200,000 settlement for a man who fell due to an unlevel subway grate. We are committed to helping victims of slip and falls get the support and justice that they deserve. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.