Slips, trips and falls are more common than you might think. These accidents can happen anywhere to anyone. Depending on the severity of the impact, injuries associated with these accidents can range from minor to life-altering or even fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one is hurt following a slip and fall accident, you may be eligible for financial restitution for the resulting damages. But first, how exactly do these accidents happen?
Understanding slip and fall accidents
A slip and fall is a legal term used to describe premises liability cases. These accidents can happen at home or in a public area like a restaurant, a saloon or even a shopping mall. Some of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Clutter in the walkway
- Poor lighting
- Wet or slippery floors
- Loose power cables
- Faulty handrails
- Torn carpets
Weather and defective parts can also contribute to slips and falls.
Slip and fall accidents and New York’s negligence laws
Once you have identified the cause of your slip and fall accident, you need to establish who is at fault if you intend to file a lawsuit. For instance, if you slip and fall at the mall thanks to a wet floor, you may hold the mall liable for your injuries per New York’s comparative negligence laws. According to this statute, you can recover damages from the liable party as long as you are not 100 percent responsible for the accident.
Protecting your rights
A trip, slip and fall accident can be very costly. If you slip and fall while you are lawfully on someone’s property, you deserve justice. Find out how an effective legal counsel can help you safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing a premises liability lawsuit.