Property owners in Queens and throughout New York must ensure their premises are kept safe for visitors. Injuries result when they fail to do this, and they can be held accountable for their negligence. If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in Queens due to someone’s carelessness, you must retain an attorney as soon as possible. You could be entitled to financial compensation.
Slips and falls fall under the area of law known as premises liability. At Hach & Rose, LLP, our highly skilled and compassionate New York slip and fall lawyers are prepared to work on your premises liability case and fight for the maximum compensation available. We have been successfully representing slip and fall accident victims in New York for nearly 25 years, and we’re ready to help you, too. Call 212-779-0057 now for a free initial consultation.
[dynamic-toc]How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in New York?
Slips and falls can occur in various circumstances and due to various causes. Hazards on the property are a common reason why slip, trip, and fall accidents happen in New York. If evidence can be collected to indicate that the property owner was aware of the hazard, or at least should have known about it, they may be liable for your injuries and associated expenses.
With proof of how your slip and fall accident occurred, the Queens premises liability attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP can file a claim with the property owner or their insurance company. Our skilled Queens attorneys can then negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. If a full and fair settlement cannot be reached, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial so you get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls
While slips, trips, and falls can occur for many different reasons, they are often caused by the property owner’s negligence. Common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents include:
- Failure to promptly clean up spills
- Uneven flooring
- Cracked pavement
- Damaged sidewalks
- Wet floors without warning signs
- Loose flooring
- Loose rugs or mats
- Newly waxed floors
- Not using non-skid floor treatments when required
- Worn carpeting
- Lack of handrails
- Defective handrails
- Worn steps
- Waxed or polished stairs that lack non-skid surfaces
- Poor lighting
- Potholes and ditches
- Snow and ice
- Water leaks that go unpatched
Holding Negligent Property Owners Accountable
The property owner is liable if a property owner’s negligence causes a slip and fall accident and subsequent injuries. The property owner has to maintain their property. To be legally liable for the injuries sustained by someone slipping, tripping, or falling on a property, one of the following needs to be true:
- The property owner caused the hazard or dangerous area.
- They knew of the hazard but did nothing about it.
- They should have been aware of the dangerous area because a reasonable individual taking care of the property would have seen and remedied it.
No two slip-and-fall cases are exactly alike. At Hach & Rose, LLP, we evaluate slip and fall accidents on a case-by-case basis and consider whether the property owner took reasonable precautions to make the area safe. We also consider whether the accident victim was careless and caused their own slip and fall.
Compensation for a Queens Slip-and-Fall
The Queens slip-and fall-attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP will fight to help secure all the types of compensation available to you, which may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
Why Do I Need a Queens Slip-And-Fall Lawyer?
There are numerous benefits to hiring an experienced Queens slip-and-fall attorney. A lawyer can handle all aspects of the investigation and all communication with the insurance companies so that you can focus on what’s most important: your recovery. Some of the tasks a New York slip and fall lawyer can handle for you include:
- Investigate the accident scene
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Determine what caused the slip and fall
- Identify all liable parties
- Collect medical records
- Demonstrate the full extent of your injuries
- Demonstrate the extent of your losses
- Dispute claims that you caused the accident
Insurance adjusters will attempt to avoid or minimize liability with slip and fall claims. Even if the property owner's liability appears obvious, the insurance company will do everything in its power to either deny your claim or pay out the lowest amount possible.
This is why you need a Queens personal injury lawyer who regularly handles these types of cases on your side. At Hach & Rose, LLP, we understand what is required to establish negligence and liability. Remember that the insurance company will likely try to take advantage of you. Their top priority is the company’s bottom line rather than your health and well-being.