If you were recently injured after slipping and falling on another person’s property, hiring a New York slip-and-fall lawyer may be a wise next step. Even if the compensation process seems relatively straightforward, an attorney can help you maximize your settlement and uphold all of your rights under New York premises liability law.
Learn the importance of working with a slip-and-fall accident lawyer in New York to strengthen your case. Then reach out to Ross & Hill for a free consultation.
Do You Have a Slip-and-Fall Case?
One moment, you are going about life as normal, and the next, you are dealing with extreme pain and serious injuries after slipping and falling. The World Health Organization considers falls a major public health problem, leading to 684,000 deaths per year worldwide. More than 37 million falls require medical attention each year, and falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths globally.
No matter the circumstances of your fall, you may be dealing with a long road to recovery. But if you slipped and fell on another person’s property, it is worth considering whether you may have a slip-and-fall case.
You may be able to pursue compensation from the property owner if:
- You were lawfully on their property.
- A hazard on their property caused you to fall.
- They knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard, yet failed to mitigate it.
A New York slip-and-fall lawyer can help you understand whether you may have a case, and if so, how to proceed.
Benefits of Hiring a New York Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
Even if you are unsure whether you will take any action against the property owner after an accident, consulting a slip-and-fall attorney may be wise. These are some of the ways an attorney can assist you.
Explain All of Your Legal Options
It is difficult to make a sound decision when you do not know all of your options. The method you choose to pursue compensation is a major decision that can significantly affect you both now and in the future. Working with legal representation for your slip-and-fall case in New York can help you adequately understand all of your options before moving forward.
For example, you may assume that an insurance claim is your only option, but your attorney advises you that you may have grounds for legal action against the property owner. Had you not known this, you may have missed out on a significant amount of compensation.
Collect Evidence To Support Your Case
Evidence can be extremely helpful whether you are pursuing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. You need to prove that you were lawfully on the premises when the accident occurred, that a hazard caused your accident, and that the property owner should have known about that hazard.
Personal injury lawyers in New York have extensive experience gathering evidence to support these types of claims. They know the evidence that would be valuable in your case and where to find it. Examples may include:
- Security camera footage
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Accident reports
- Witness testimonies
- Medical documentation
This evidence can help prove negligence in your slip-and-fall case.
Advocate for Your Rights During Negotiations
Many slip-and-fall lawsuits end in negotiations or settlements, but this does not mean you need to compromise on what is important to you in your case. New York slip-and-fall lawyers have extensive negotiating experience and can advocate for your rights and priorities during this process.
Prior to negotiations, they can sit down with you to calculate a reasonable settlement amount that would cover your damages. Then, they can seek this settlement during negotiations and avoid accepting a payout that isn’t fair or reflective of your damages.
Handle the Compensation Process for You While You Recover
The idea of pursuing legal action while also recovering from serious injuries can feel exhausting. In some cases, this may deter accident victims from upholding their rights to compensation.
When you work with an attorney, they can take over much of this process for you. Experienced lawyers fully understand New York slip-and-fall laws and how they apply to your case. They can communicate with all parties on your behalf, file documentation for you, and take much of the process off your shoulders.
Request a Legal Consultation With a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer in New York
If you are still unsure about hiring a New York slip-and-fall lawyer, you may start with a free consultation. At Ross & Hill, we offer 100% free consultations to discuss your case and your legal options.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing slip-and-fall cases and helping clients uphold their rights. Check out our premises liability guide for slip-and-fall accidents, then call us at 646-351-6222 to request your case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need an attorney for a slip-and-fall liability claim?
Working with a New York slip-and-fall lawyer can be highly beneficial as you navigate your claim, though it is not mandatory. They can help you understand your options and avoid missing out on opportunities for compensation. Pursuing a complex insurance claim or lawsuit without an attorney could hurt your case, and you can assume that the defendant will have their own representation.
What types of damages can you seek in a New York slip-and-fall claim?
A slip-and-fall insurance claim could provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses and time off work during your recovery. By pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to claim non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life for severe injuries.
What is the statute of limitations for slip-and-fall lawsuits in New York?
The statute of limitations for slip-and-fall lawsuits in New York is generally three years from the accident date. Filing a lawsuit after this deadline will likely lead to your case being dismissed. Work with a New York slip-and-fall lawyer to explore your options and avoid missing any applicable deadlines.
