Do I Need a Slip & Fall Lawyer?
Whether a slip and fall is caused by ice, disrepair, poor lighting or something else entirely, it can result in serious, sometimes life-altering injuries, and you may be entitled to receive compensation.
While not all slips, falls or their resulting injuries are grounds for a case, many are, and it is in your best interest to work with a seasoned attorney who is experienced with slip and fall cases, as they can give you, or someone you know, the best possible chance at receiving a fair settlement.
Do I Have a Case?
In order to have a case, it must be proven that the owner, manager or attendant of the property or location where the fall occurred was liable for the accident. In other words, did they know about the conditions that caused the fall and did nothing about it? Did they create the situation themselves?
Additionally, the window for asserting a claim is relatively short, with the statute of limitations for slip and fall cases lasting only two years in New Jersey, and three in New York. If your claim is against a public entity (such as the state), the situation is even more tight, as both NJ and NY require that you provide Tort Claims within 90 days of the fall.
These tight timelines means that you’ll need to move quickly or lose your chance to bring your case to court and reach an appropriate settlement.
What to Do if You Have Experienced a Slip and Fall
First and foremost, whether you, or someone you know, is involved in a slip and fall, seek professional medical treatment as soon as possible.
Not only will a medical professional detect and treat any injuries from the accident, they will also properly document them (and what caused them), which can be key for any ensuing litigation.
After this crucial step, make certain to fill out an incident report for your fall, and keep a copy of it for your files.
Document the Evidence
Documenting the evidence and details of a fall is an immensely important facet of building a strong case. The more evidence you collect, and the more thorough you are, the stronger your case will be.
Some of the things you should document to the best of your abilities are as follows:
- Photograph Site – Take as many photos as you can of the location in which the fall occurred, and the surrounding areas. If the fall was caused by a broken step, ice, or other hazard, be sure to clearly document that as well.
- Photograph Injuries – It’s also imperative to document any cuts, bruises, scratches, stitches, bandages, surgeries or more that were caused by the accident.
- Preserve Evidence – Everything from clothes worn during the event to the items you had with you, should be preserved and kept in as pristine of a condition as possible, as they may be needed for the case.
- Witness Information – If there were any witnesses to the event, try to obtain their contact information (name, phone number, address, etc.), as they may be able to provide important testimony.
Keep an Organized Case File
With so many things to keep track of, maintaining a well-organized and easily-accessible case file is integral to success, as losing important documents or accidentally damaging evidence can quickly weaken a case or even scuttle any chances of winning.
To avoid this scenario, keep as many of the following items together in a safe and secure place:
- Photographs of Site
- Photographs of Hazard that Caused the Fall (if applicable)
- Photographs of Injuries
- Associated Bills (including medical)
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- Medical Documentation
- Lost Earnings
- Witness Information
- Incident Reports
- Other/Additional Evidence (clothing from the incident, etc.)
Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer at Larkin Farrell, LLC
Once you’ve taken the steps listed above, it is finally time to reach out to a lawyer experienced with slip and fall cases.
At Larkin Farrell, LLC, our seasoned attorneys will go over every detail of your case with you, and determine the best course of action.
With the short statute of limitations for slip and fall cases, don’t wait: contact Larkin Farrell, LLC, today to speak with one of our experienced attorneys, and get the settlement you deserve. All consultations are free of charge. We proudly serve clients in New Jersey and the NYC Metropolitan area.
