Homeowners, tenants, businesses, and land owners have an obligation to keep their premises and property in a safe and orderly condition. If a property owner fails to properly maintain his or her property and as a consequence someone is injured that property owner may be financially liable. A common type of accident that occurs on property is a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. Such an incident involves someone slipping on a wet spot or a slick spot on the floor and suffering an injury. In order to prevail in a slip and fall case courts require that the injured victim show that the property owner had a legal duty to maintain the property so that no one is harmed, that the property owner had notice of the dangerous condition, and that the plaintiff was harmed as a result of the dangerous condition. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you were injured in a slip and fall accidents, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Brooklyn slip and fall lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain to you your legal options. You should do so quickly, as there are time limits that you must follow when you file a personal injury claim.
Causes of slip and fall accidentsA slip and fall accident occurs where a pedestrian loses his or fall footing and falls. This can be due to a loss of balance, because the pedestrian slipped on a wet or slick surface, or tripped on an obstruction. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include oil or wax on a surface, water left on the floors, broken stairs or hand rails, broken or cracked concrete, icy sidewalks, poorly lit sidewalks, staircases or garages.
Owners of businesses, such as banks and restaurants, and private homeowners all have the duty to ensure that their premises are safe for those who enter. The level of duty owed depends on the classification of the person entering the premises. There are three categories, an invitee, a licensee and a trespasser. An invitee is a person that enters a property by invitation. A licensee enters a premises with permission for a benefit or purpose. A trespasser is a person who enters property without permission.
How a person is classified determines the duty of care a premises owner has. A landlord is required to take reasonable care in ensuring that a property is safe, and must warn an invitee of any dangerous condition. If the premises is a place of business, the landlord is required to inspect the premises for any potential danger. While the responsibilities are slightly different for each classification, in all instances the landlord has the duty to ensure the safety of someone who enters the property.
Pursuing a claimShould an injury occur in a slip and, it may cause permanent or disabling damage, for an example, if you trip and bump your head on the tile floor, you may need stitches or you could have a brain injury. Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of hip injuries amount the elderly.Depending on the facts of your case, if you are hurt in a slip and fall accident because of an unsafe condition on the property, you may be entitled a number of types of compensation.
To ensure you have the best chance of success in your slip and fall lawsuit, make sure that you document everything that you remember about the circumstances that led to your fall. Consult a doctor immediately. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from slip and fall accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.