New Jersey Slip and Fall Attorneys
Fighting for Injured Victims
In New Jersey, property owners are generally liable when others are injured on their property. This applies to both private and commercial property. At Leonard Legal Group, LLC, our New Jersey slip and fall attorneys are experienced in pursuing slip and fall accident claims on behalf of our clients. We are not afraid to take on large corporations and insurance companies. With our assistance, you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Slip and fall claims: An overview
There are several elements that must be proven in a slip and fall claim before the victim is able to recover any damages. If the victim cannot prove these elements, the victim’s claim will fail. If the slip and fall claim fails, the victim is not entitled to any damages—meaning that the victim is solely responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the fall.
All property owners have a duty to ensure that premises are safe and free of any dangerous conditions. If a dangerous condition is present, it should be removed or repaired as soon as possible. If it cannot be removed or repaired in a timely manner, the property owner has a duty to warn visitors of the dangerous condition.
How long the dangerous condition has been present on the property is one of the most important elements in a slip and fall claim. If the victim is able to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition but did not address it, the property owner may be liable for damages.
For example, consider a soda that has spilled in a grocery store. The soda is clear, like water. One grocery store employee saw another customer drop the soda, causing it to spill. However, the employee did not stop to clean it up and did not put out a wet floor sign. Other employees also notice the spill, but each employee thinks the other will clean it up. Nearly an hour passes before a customer slips in the soda, falls, and injures himself in the store. In this case, the customer would have a strong case against the store. If the spill had only happened a few minutes before the customer fell, the case would not be as strong.
The same theory applies if the dangerous condition is a cracked tile or a loose step.
Additionally, the victim must prove he or she was actually injured in the slip and fall incident. For example, if the victim slipped on a spill but did not fall and suffered no injury, a slip and fall claim may not stand.
What types of damages are available in a slip and fall claim?
The damages available in a slip and fall claim depend on the circumstances surrounding the fall. Damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The expense of adding wheelchair ramps and other alterations to a home
Other damages may also be available. Slip and fall attorneys carefully study the facts of a case to ensure their clients obtain the maximum compensation available under the law.
Contact our New Jersey slip and fall attorneys today for a free consultation
At Leonard Legal Group, we get to work right away on your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. To schedule your free consultation with our experienced New Jersey slip and fall attorneys, call 973-984-14141 or visit us online.