While it is often played for laughs in old-timey cartoons and comedies, a slip and fall is no laughing matter. Many people get injured from nasty slips and falls every day. The cost of getting treatment and dealing with these injuries can easily become very expensive. Worse still, some injuries may be permanent, and a victim of slip and fall accidents may have a reduced quality of life as a result.
If someone else’s negligence resulted in you getting injured in a slip-and-fall accident, we are here to help pick you up off the ground. We know how to handle all kinds of personal injury cases, including those involving slip and fall accidents. We will treat your case with the professionalism and seriousness it demands, and fight hard for you in court to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
For a free analysis of your case, call our slip and fall accident attorneys from The Martello Law Firm at the number (914) 685-6950.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Port Chester, NY
Slipping and falling down is not really constrained to happening in one place or under a certain set of circumstances. Accordingly, the causes of slip and fall accidents are many and varied. For the purposes of your claim, it is very important to our slip and fall accident lawyers that we nail down the cause of your injury so we can make sure you are using the correct parties in your claim. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the cause of your particular accident so that you can argue effectively for financial compensation in court.
Wet Floors
Perhaps the most immediately obvious potential cause of a slip and fall is wet floors. Various substances can trip people up and cause them to lose their balance. Depending on how they land, a victim of such an accident can suffer serious injuries.
Sip and fall accidents involving wet floors can happen anywhere, but they most often happen in stores like supermarkets where there is a greater likelihood of there being fluids on the floor. Supermarkets and other places of business have an obligation to clean up such spills to keep the premises safe for customers, so if they fail to do that and you get injured as a result, you may have a claim against them.
Poorly Lit Stairwells
Another frequent cause of slip and fall injuries is poorly lit stairwells. Going up and down stairs is something most of us do automatically, but being in the dark can make it tougher to get a gauge on where the stairs are, and you may trip and fall as a result.
Another way that stairwells can injure people is if they are not kept in good shape. For example, stairs made of old, rotting wood may break under someone’s weight, collapsing and causing that person to fall down and get injured.
Icy and Snowy Sidewalks and Walkways
Most people do not think of sidewalks as dangerous. However, during the winter months, especially in New York, walkways can be covered in snow or coated in ice. Icy surfaces can easily cause someone to lose their balance and fall over, especially if that ice is under a layer of uncleared snow or is transparent, so-called “black ice” that is harder to see.
Depending on where a sidewalk or walkway is located, different parties may be responsible for clearing it. Homeowners, business owners, landowners, or even government entities could potentially be responsible for your injuries if you slip and fall on an icy surface in winter.
Damages in a Port Chester, NY Slip & Fall Accident Lawsuit
When you file a lawsuit, your goal is to get damages from the defendant. Damages are how courts compensate plaintiffs who prove that the defendant is liable for their injuries. When you ask for damages in your claim, it can be helpful to categorize them. The three main categories of damages in a slip and fall lawsuit are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages come from things that can have their value readily displayed. Items like medical bills and expenses are among the most common economic damages asked for in personal injury cases.
In addition to the cost of medical care, you can also ask for damages based on lost income. If you had to take time off of your job to recover from your injuries, you can get compensated by the court based on the income you would have earned if you were not injured. Similarly, if you have to switch to a less well-paying job because of your injuries, you can get financial compensation based on the difference in income. Finally, if your injuries are such that they prevent you from working entirely, you can get compensated based on what your income would have been for the rest of your career.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are different from economic damages in that they are based on things that are less tangible. Items you may request non-economic damages for include physical pain and suffering as well as mental stress brought on by your injuries.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages, unlike economic and non-economic damages, are not based on your condition but on the conduct of the defendant. They are only awarded when the defendant has acted especially badly. There are some special considerations to take into account when asking for punitive damages, so you should speak to our attorneys about what is required if you are seeking them.
Talk to Our Port Chester, NY Slip & Fall Lawyers Today
The Martello Law Firm has slip and fall lawyers standing by to help you out when you call us at (914) 685-6950.
