Slip and Fall Accidents: Understanding Premises Liability and Your Legal Options
Slip and fall injuries can result in physical impairments that are expensive to treat and impact one’s ability to be employed. If you slipped and fell while visiting someone’s private property, the property’s owner could be legally responsible for covering any losses you experienced because of your injuries. In these types of cases, the concept of premises liability determines whether the owner is responsible.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents
Premises liability refers to property owners’ legal duty to keep their properties free of hazards that could harm guests. Generally speaking, if a guest sustains an injury because of a hazard the owner created or failed to fix, the owner could be financially responsible for paying damages.
Most owners will have property insurance to cover compensation for your losses. This means
that even if the owner is your friend or family member it is the insurance company that will pay
for your damages and not the owner personally. Owners have property insurance to protect not
only themselves but also to protect their friends and family who are the people that will be
visiting their home and are the ones that may suffer an injury.
According to theories of premises liability, property owners can be liable for any dangerous conditions that caused you to slip and fall, including:
- Ice or snow
- Uneven flooring
- Raised mat or rug
- Slippery surfaces
- Walkway obstructions (e.g., clutter)
- Holes or divots
- Narrow staircases
- Lack of handrails
A property owner is responsible for any injuries if they were negligent in creating or failing to fix dangerous conditions. For instance, if you fell on a patch of ice in a parking lot, the lot owner could be liable because they are responsible for identifying and removing dangerous hazards, like ice.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries in New York City
Falls are a particularly dangerous type of injury as they can easily break bones, cause spinal cord damage, and even result in death. These injuries are expensive to treat and may require you to change jobs or stop working altogether. If you have sustained an injury from a slip and fall, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your:
- Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses
- Lost work income and benefits
- Diminished lifetime earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Slip and fall injuries have a broad and far-reaching effect on your life, and it’s sometimes difficult to quantify their financial impact. A slip and fall attorney will account for your losses to ensure you seek full compensation to recover and rebuild.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Accidents in New York?
The general statute of limitations for slip and fall accident claims in New York gives you three years to file a lawsuit. Once three years elapse, you won’t be able to recover compensation for your injuries. It’s in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible to start building your case.
Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC: Premises Liability Attorneys in New York City
If you plan to pursue a slip and fall injury claim, you need someone on your side who can protect your rights and maximize your chances of a satisfactory resolution. Send us a message online, or call Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC, today to receive a free, no-obligation case consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.