Falls can happen anywhere, including grocery stores, parking lots, and restaurants. These accidents can result in devastating life-changing injuries. Tragically, many of these accidents could be avoided if property owners maintained their premises.
In Fort Lee, victims can recover damages after a slip-and-fall accident by filing a personal injury lawsuit. The process can be difficult for a lawful person to navigate, but having a Fort Lee Slip-and-Fall Lawyer on your side can make all the difference. An attorney will guide you through the system, build a strong case, and fight for your rights.
How Can a Fort Lee Slip And Fall Lawyer Help You?
The legal process is not user-friendly. Navigating the system can be daunting and frustrating. A slip-and-fall lawyer in Fort Lee can help you traverse the court system and fight for you to receive your rightful compensation.
- Examining Your Case: During your initial meeting, an attorney will ask you questions and analyze the circumstances surrounding your case. If you have a valid case, the lawyer will work with you to devise a plan to get you the compensation you deserve.
- Gathering Evidence: The legal team at Omni Injury and Accident Law, P.C. will gather witness statements, your medical records, photos of the accident, and any other evidence to construct the strongest case on your behalf.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies are for-profit institutions whose goal is to pay out the least amount of money possible. Our lawyers have experience dealing with these companies and will negotiate a fair settlement for you.
- Representing You: If the insurance companies refuse to reach a reasonable settlement, our lawyers will bring your case to court. An attorney will plead your case and fight for your rightful compensation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
You can fall anywhere, whether you are in a restaurant you frequent weekly or a store you visit for the first time. Falls can happen for countless reasons, but several are extremely common.
- Wet Floors: A common cause of slip and fall accidents is slippery floors. A spill in a restaurant or a puddle near a doorway can turn a simple visit into a life-changing event.
- Loose Materials: Cracked pavement, uneven walkways, and unsecured tiles can create hazards that lead to traumatic falls.
- Inadequate Lighting: Tripping hazards can be concealed in dimly lit spaces. If guests cannot see the tripping hazards, they cannot avoid them and are more likely to fall over them.
- Exposed Wires: When wires are not bundled or secured correctly, they can pose dangerous tripping hazards.
- Unsafe Handrails: Missing or loose handrails are a major safety hazard. People automatically reach for a handrail when they lose their balance, and if the handrail is not there or is not stable, the fall can be even more serious.
- Poorly Maintained Stairs: Stairs are common tripping hazards. They become exponentially more dangerous when paired with loose carpeting, broken handrails, or inadequate lighting.
- Irregular Surfaces: People expect floors to be flat. If there is an uneven surface, people are more likely to trip.
Common Injuries Experienced in Slip and Fall Accidents
A fall can result in both significant and minor injuries. Any part of the body can be injured in a fall. Some of the most common injuries are:
- Sprains: Sometimes, these injuries can quickly heal, but sometimes they can cause life-long problems.
- Hip Fractures: A hip fracture is a common injury after a fall among older people. These injuries may need extensive surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation processes to heal.
- Broken Bones: A common slip and fall injury is a fractured bone. A broken bone may be a displaced fracture, which entails the bone being snapped in two. Or, it may shatter into three or more pieces, resulting in a comminuted fracture.
- Cuts and Bruises: Fall frequently results in bruises and lacerations. These injuries can lead to more serious conditions. For example, untreated cuts can become infected.
- Brain and Head Injuries: When a person hits their head on a hard surface, it can lead to both closed and penetrating brain injuries. Closed injuries occur when the head strikes an object, but the force is not powerful enough to crack the skull. A penetrating brain injury occurs when the skull is cracked, and the brain receives direct damage.
- Shoulder Injuries: It is natural for someone to try to catch themselves when falling. This reaction frequently leads to shoulder injuries such as ron rotator cuffs and dislocated shoulders.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury in Fort Lee
Slip and fall accidents can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to think straight. However, immediately following a fall, your actions can make or break a personal injury case. Below are steps you can take after an accident.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Your health should be your number one priority. Even if your injuries appear to be minor, you should still seek medical attention, as some injuries are not immediately apparent. Medical reports also serve as evidence of your accident.
- Report the Accident: No matter where you fall, you should report the accident to the manager, owner, or landlord of the property. Make sure the details of the incident are accurate and in writing, and make sure you have a copy of the report.
- Document Everything: If possible, you should take photos of the scene of your fall. Additionally, you should also take pictures of all your injuries and keep any medical report and bills you incure as a result of your accident.
- Speak to an Attorney: An experienced lawyer can provide you with tailored advice and help you navigate the legal process. Fort Lee slip and fall attorneys will protect your interests and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Happens in a Slip and Fall Case in Fort Lee
In Fort Lee, a slip and fall case is a type of personal injury claim. The suit is usually against the property owner and operates under the legal theory of premises liability.
If the owners of the property or one of their employees spills something, leaves cables unsecured, or fails to maintain the property’s stairs, the owner may be liable for an accident. An owner is responsible for rectifying any hazards that they know of or should have known of. If they fail to maintain their property, the owner breaches their duty of care and can be held liable for the damages that result from any accidents these hazards cause.
What Compensation is Available to Fort Lee Slip and Fall Injury Victims?
Damages are an essential component of personal injury lawsuits. There are two types of damages that can be awarded: compensatory and punitive.
- Compensatory Damages: The goal of compensatory damages is to put the victim in the position they would have been in if the accident had never happened. These are the most common type of damages. Compensatory damages are split into two categories: economic and non-economic.
- Economic Damages: These damages are the easiest to calculate as they deal with the victim’s direct expenses. They are quantifiable and monetary in nature. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are not as easily calculated as they are not quantifiable. They are indirect, non-financial costs. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: The goal of punitive damages is to punish the offending party for their action or lack of action. The negligent party’s conduct must be so egregious that it borders on criminals and shows a disregard for the health and safety of others. Courts are much less likely to award these damages.
The doctrine of comparative negligence applies in New Jersey. This means that the fault for an accident can be divided among multiple parties. You must be no more than 50% at fault for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Fort Lee
In New Jersey, there is a two-year statute of limitations on slip and fall cases. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. The two-year period is not flexible.
If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, it does not matter how much evidence you have that your injuries were due to someone else’s negligence, and a court will most likely dismiss your claim. So, it is essential you commence your lawsuit as soon as possible.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Fort Lee Slip and Fall Lawyer?
After a fall, you are already dealing with medical bills and lost wages. It is understandable that you do not want to fork out even more money for an attorney.
At Omni Injury & Accident Law, P.C., you do not have to worry about putting down an extensive downpayment. Actually, you do not have to pay anything upfront. Instead, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you will only have to pay a pre-agreed upon percentage if you receive a monetary judgment or award. If you do not get a financial award, you owe us nothing.
How Much is My Fort Lee Slip and Fall Case Worth?
The average settlement for a slip-and-fall case in New Jersey is between $10,000 and $50,000. The settlement amount depends on the circumstances surrounding the case. These circumstances include the severity of your injuries, the amount of time you had to take off work, and the cost of your medical bills.
In New Jersey, there is no cap on the amount of compensatory damages you can be awarded. However, there is a limit on punitive damages. These damages are capped at five times the amount of compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.
Contact a Fort Lee Slip and Fall Attorney Today At Omni Injury and Accident Law, P.C.
A fall is already a traumatic and stressful event. You need to focus on getting better, not stressing over the intricacies of the legal process. At Omni Injury & Accident Law, P.C., our experienced Fort Lee Slip and Fall Lawyers will aid you with expert legal help. You do not have to face this challenge alone; we want to stand beside you. Contact us at (800)-318-8888 for your FREE consultation TODAY!
