Slip and Fall Cases
Please consult Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., your New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers, for more information on Slip and Fall accidents.
Slip-and-fall accidents commonly cause injuries to people of all ages. The truth is that most of these accidents could have been avoided had the property owner taken the time to either inspect their property for such dangers, fix the problem or warn people about the danger. But not all hazards are obvious. For example, uneven stairs, loose carpeting, black ice, inadequate lighting, or building code violations can all contribute to a fall causing serious injuries.
In Teaneck, New Jersey, property owners are held responsible for the injuries caused to others by their failure to make their property safe. This is a good law because society as a whole benefits from a safe environment and so do the property owners as they shop or visit others.
What should you do when injured in a slip-and-fall accident?
Slip-and-fall accidents differ significantly from other types of accident cases because the negligent or dangerous conditions that caused a slip-and-fall injury are usually quickly removed or cleaned up. This loss of physical evidence can make slip-and-fall cases more difficult to prove than other types of cases. If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall incident, we recommend that you follow these guidelines.
Hire a lawyer immediately: A good lawyer will hire and dispatch a safety engineer in your behalf and at no expense to you to inspect the area where the accident occurred and to study the cause of your injury. This safety engineer will act as your expert witness. If you cannot hire an attorney immediately, be certain to take care of the following:
1. Preserve All Evidence: Have someone you know take a quick snapshot of the area in which you fell. If possible, keep the object that caused you to fall. Also, put the shoes that you wore aside because you may be questioned about them in the future.
2. Report the Accident: Notify the property owner or manager. It’s important for them to repair the defect so that others do not get hurt. They will also be required to report the incident to their insurance carrier. Ask for a copy of the written incident report.
3. Get the names of all Witnesses: If possible, try to record the names of people who saw you fall, OR people who saw the condition that made you fall.
4. Take Photographs: You should have someone take many photographs of the area where you fell, including the floor surface. If possible, try to record the condition at the time of your fall. Photographs may show the presence or absence of any mats, rugs, or slip-prevention materials, such as sand, at the location. Take photographs of any signs in the area of the accident. If your injuries were external injuries such as bruises, cuts, or scrapes, take photographs of themas proof of the injury foryour attorney. If your injuries are severe, your attorney will likely take steps to have a professional photographer take photos and a professional invesitigator collect valuable evidence.
5. Very Important Advice: Be certain that all of your doctors and nurses record the cause of your slip and fall injury correctly. In many cases, these medical professionals rush through that portion of the interview and will write down an inaccurate version of the accident. These inaccurate versions will be used to infer that you told different versions of the event. So check your medical records carefully to make certain that the physician, nurse or medical assistant got the facts right.
For more information on slip and fall accidents, please consult Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. today, your Teaneck and New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers. Check out our Personal Injury Newsletter for up to date content on slip and fall accidents.
