Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents on Long Island

You Need a Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall injuries frequently occur on Long Island, New York. Slip and fall injuries often lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of five causes serious consequences such as a slip and fall head injury, a slip and fall neck injury, or a slip and fall back injury. These injuries are expensive to treat and could require years of attention from medical professionals. Costs associated with slip and fall accidents include doctors’ bills, physical therapy bills, medication, and in some cases, surgery. It is important to hire a professional lawyer for slip and fall accidents to ensure that you get the financial compensation you deserve.

A Slip and Fall Injury can be Devastating

The good news is that most slip and fall victims are entitled to financial compensation. It doesn’t matter if you fell on a sidewalk that is open to the public or on someone’s private property. Sidewalks must be properly maintained and kept in good repair regardless who owns them.

Establish a Series of Facts in a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit

First, you must demonstrate that at the time of injury, a physical condition existed that presented an unreasonable risk of harm. It must be established that the person in possession or charged with responsibility knew or should have known of the situation. The victim will have to show that the responsible party was negligent in not fixing or warning of the risk. Additionally, there must be a link between the dangerous condition and the specific injuries claimed. In order to successfully present each of these elements, there are some important steps injury victims should take immediately following their slip and fall injury.

Appropriate financial settlement of slip and fall accident will depend on the amount and quality of evidence presented by the victim.

In order to maximize the slip and fall settlement compensation:

• Seek immediate medical care of injuries. Whether that means staying at the scene and calling an ambulance or heading to the nearest hospital or medical clinic on your own. Even if your injuries do not seem serious, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any unnoticeable injuries and to document the details of your slip and fall.
• Report the accident to the police and the person/organization responsible for the area.
• Capture photos of the scene and any visible hazards or defects.
• Obtain names and contact information for the manager or owner of the property at issue.
• Speak to all eyewitnesses to the event.
• Avoid making statements regarding personal fault or responsibility for what occurred.
• Avoid providing recorded statements to insurance company personnel.

A  lawyer for Slip and fall accidents will be the best asset you have available after you have been injured in a slip and fall accident. He or she will “run interference” between you and the insurance companies, and can help you deal with aggressive bill collectors demanding payment for medical treatment. Your slip and fall accidents lawyer will you navigate the frustrating legal system and ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact us to get in touch with a top-notch lawyer for Slip and fall accidents today!

If you are Contacted by an Insurance Company

Shortly after your accident, you’ll likely be contacted by an insurance company. They might seem friendly and want you to answer a few questions and record the conversation, but you need to remember they do not have your best interest in mind. The goal of the call is to hurt your case against them, so the best advice is to decline to speak to them.

Only speak to your lawyer for slip and fall accidents about your case.

How Long Is the Statute of Limitations in New York?

Statutes of limitations are laws that say how long, after certain events, a case may be started based on those events. The time periods in which to make claims are incredibly complex and vary based on the nature of the claim, the location of the claim and the identity of the person/organization responsible, so you’ll want to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.

In New York State, the statute of limitations for negligence is three years. If your claim is filed against a local government, such as the City of New York or a local town or village, you’ll have only one year and 90 days to file your claim (and just 90 days to file Notice of Claim). Claims filed against certain public authorities must be filed within 30 to 60 days, depending on the agency. The laws regarding Statutes of Limitations can be very complicated so don’t delay in consulting with us.

Hiring a Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents

Average compensation for slip and fall injuries can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. One of the largest slip and fall settlements in New York involved a woman who fell down subway stairs. She received more than $16 million, but suffered severe and permanent brain damage. Money might not ever restore your life to what it was prior to a slip and fall accident, but it can help ease the burden caused by the fall.

The Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel can provide you a top-notch lawyer for slip and fall accidents. Contact us today to get started on your case!