The common perception of a slip and fall lawsuit is the infamous grocery store scammer who “slips” on water purposefully for compensation. This dramatized disinformation discredits real slip and fall victims who can be severely injured or even killed due to a property owner’s negligence. Below we will discuss the most common types of slip and fall injuries and the proof required to pursue a lawsuit against a property owner.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Injuries related to a slip and fall accident can be more disastrous than you’d think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 17,000 individuals perish every year from these types of injuries, and a total of one million require some form of treatment for their wounds. The CDC reports that slip and fall accidents commonly cause injuries like:
- Bruises
- Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Long-term medical complications
- Death
Determining Negligence and Liability
In many cases, slip and fall accidents occur on someone else’s property. The injury may happen on commercial, residential or government property. When this happens, the lawsuit related to the injury typically falls under premises liability law. Premises liability claims allege that the property owner is legally responsible for any injuries due to their own or an employee’s negligence. In many instances, a dangerous condition that contributed to the injury was both apparent and preventable. If a property owner fails to correct or take steps to correct a dangerous condition, then they may be legally responsible for the financial losses associated with an accident. For a victim to be successful with a premises liability claim, they need to prove:
- A dangerous condition was present at the owner’s property
- The dangerous condition directly led to an accident and injury
- The dangerous condition could have been prevented
- The property owner should have reasonably known about the dangerous condition
In addition to these factors, courtrooms will also assess how the victim’s own carelessness contributed to the accident or injury. If you were also negligent, then the owner may be off the hook for the full amount of damages. You may be considered partially responsible when you ignored posted warnings, didn’t have a legitimate reason to be in the dangerous area or acted in a reckless manner.
Contact a Voorhees Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a slip and fall in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Garber Law represent clients injured because of slip and falls in Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Collingswood and throughout New Jersey. Contact us at (856) 281-1480 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at The Greens of Laurel Oak, 1200 Laurel Oak Road, Suite 104, Voorhees, NJ, as well as offices located in Aramark Building, 1101 Market Street, Suite 2820, Philadelphia, PA.