Suffolk County Slip & Fall

Premises owners are responsible and obligated to keep their premises safe and free from hazards. When the neglect of a property owner results in a slip and fall incident and the victim suffers a serious injury, then the property owner may be legally responsible for the victim's medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of severe injuries such as spinal cord injuries that lead to paraplegia and quadriplegia, trauma to the head that leads to brain injury, or broken bones. When severe injuries occur, the result is not only physical pain, but also financial distress since the victim will likely miss work while facing significant medical bills. If you have been seriously hurt when you slipped and fell on property owned by another person, it is important that you contact an experienced Suffolk County slip and fall lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain your legal options. You should do so quickly, as there are time limits that you must follow when you file a personal injury claim.

A slip and fall accident occurs where a pedestrian loses his or her balance and falls. While sometimes this happens because the person loses his footing for no obvious reason. In other cases the victim falls because of a wet or slippery floor or pavement. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include oil or wax on a surface left after the floor was polished, water left on the floors after a spill, icy sidewalks, poorly lit hallways, and aisles and sidewalks. Other slip and fall accidents occur in the subway stations, on buses, in health clubs, parking lots, office business, supermarkets, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Owners of businesses, such as grocery stores, banks, beauty salons, bars and restaurants, and private homeowners have the duty to make sure that their property is safe for those who enter. The level of duty owed depends on why the person enters the property. For example, an invitee is a person that enters a property by invitation, a licensee enters premises with permission for a benefit or purpose, and a trespasser is a person who enters property without permission. The broadest duty is owed to the invitee. However, in all instances the landlord has the duty to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of someone who enters the property.

Should an injury occur as a result of a slip and fall incident, the victim may suffer permanent or disabling damage. For example, Josie was walking down the aisle of Big Store when she slipped and fell on a wet spot. The floor has recently been mopped, but no sign was posted to indicate that the floor was still wet. When Josie fell her head hit a metal display and then slammed against the floor. As a result Josie suffered a huge gash in her head and a brain injury.

As an experienced slip and fall attorney in Suffolk County will explain, if you are seriously injured in a slip and fall accident because of an unsafe condition on the property, you have the right to demand compensation from the owner or manager of the property.

• Medical bills: A fall can lead to severe including injuries to the head, brain, back or neck. Through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand compensation for medical treatment in the emergency room and in the hospital, medication, laboratory tests, rehabilitation and in-home care.
• Loss of income: If your injury is serious you will not be able to return to work for a while during your recovery. You will be entitled to recover compensation for the income you lost such as missed paychecks and other lost benefits.
• Pain and suffering: You may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering that you suffered as a result of the accident. Pain and suffering refers to not only physical pain from your serious injury, but also for psychological pain and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful death. If as a result of falling on another person's property a family member passes away, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to recover medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of companionship and other losses.

To ensure you have the best chance of collecting the maximum amount of damages for your losses, do not immediately sign documents that the insurance company gives you. Instead, contact an experienced slip and fall attorney serving clients in Suffolk County. 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.