Experienced Slip and Fall Attorney in New York – Pursuing Justice for You

From wet supermarket floors to icy sidewalks and poorly maintained stairs, slip and fall injuries cause millions of Americans to be hospitalized each year. In most cases, you might be able to walk away from the incident with a bruised ego, but there are also instances where slip and fall incidents can lead to serious life-altering injuries. If you or your loved one has suffered a serious injury in a slip and fall accident, New York may entitle you to compensation, and acquiring this compensation will require the assistance of an experienced New York slip and fall attorney.

The Role of a New York Slip and Fall Attorney

A slip and fall injury is classified as a personal injury matter and involves you having to deal with a complex web of insurance and legal matters, which can be arduous and challenging while you are still recovering from your injuries. At the Law Office of Eli Shmulik, we specialize in personal injury matters and have helped scores of New Yorkers with their fight for fair and full compensation in slip and fall accidents. When you get in touch with our New York slip and fall attorneys, we will—

• Take the initial consultation free of charge.
• Work on a contingency basis, with no hidden costs.  
• Conduct a detailed investigation into the particulars of your slip and fall accident.
• Gather the evidence required and accurately assess your damages.
• Take care of all the paperwork and procedural requirements in a timely manner.
• Take charge of negotiations with insurance companies and defense attorneys to reach a fair and equitable settlement.
• Stand firm as advocates of your rights and interests in court.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in New York

From sidewalks and supermarkets to office buildings and apartments, slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in New York. In a vast majority of cases, the injuries can be attributed to one or more of the common causes mentioned below:

• Poorly lit stairwells
• Loose floorboards
• Wet floors
• Loose electric cords
• Broken handrails
• Poorly maintained public sidewalks
• Rain, ice, or snow conditions

Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents

When you get into slip and fall accidents, the injuries sustained come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple cuts to serious injuries that leave victims with life-long health challenges. In our experience, some of the most common slip and fall injuries that form the basis of claims include:

• Concussions
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Dislocated Joints
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Paralysis
• Amputations

Steps to Take in the Aftermath of a Slip and Fall Accident

We understand that these accidents can be sudden and disorienting, leaving you unsure of what to do next. But it must be pointed out that the strength and legitimacy of your claim will depend on your conduct in the aftermath of the incident. Thus, protecting your health, your rights, and the ability to claim compensation will depend on several crucial steps. They include—

• Prioritizing your health by seeking immediate medical attention.
• Informing your insurance provider of the accident as soon as possible.
• If possible, collecting any and all available information while at the scene of the accident.
• Contact a New York slip and fall attorney to understand your rights and liabilities.
• Do not admit fault or apologize. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used against you to reduce compensation.
• Do not post about the accident on social media.
• Do not make any official statements or representations when not in the presence of your attorney.
• Do not accept the first settlement offer presented by the insurance company. They are far less than what you are actually entitled to.

Types of Legal Actions in Slip and Fall Accident Cases

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in New York, the circumstances of the accident may entitle you to claim compensation and hold the other party accountable. The first step would be to get in touch with the relevant insurance providers and see if a fair settlement can be reached. Alternatively, you may be compelled to file a lawsuit with the help of our New York slip and fall attorneys. The types of legal action that can be filed include:

Personal Injury

Property owners have a general duty of care to ensure that their properties are free from hazards and dangers that could cause slip and fall accidents. As such, for the claim to succeed, it must be proved that the premises owner was in breach of their duty and it caused the accident where the claimant sustained their injuries. Who the action can be brought against will largely depend on where you sustained your injury and who was in ownership or effective control of the place at the time.

Wrongful Death

In the event that the slip and accident resulted in a wrongful death, the executor of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible. The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of the family members, and the compensation acquired from the suit will be divided among the family based on priority.    

Damages Claimed in Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the primary functions of a New York slip and fall attorney when handling your case is to assess the damages and present a value before the court. Determining this value requires the consideration of all the tangible and intangible losses you’ve suffered as a result of the injury. As such, the final compensation value will be a combination of all the economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages account for the financial losses such as medical expenses, loss of wages, and damage to property. Non-economic damages are to compensate for losses that do not have a defined financial value. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. The court on rare occasions may award punitive damages if it deems the defendant's conduct especially reckless or negligent. The damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

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