New York law allows victims of slip-and-fall accidents to file lawsuits to recover compensation for their injuries. However, there is an unspoken idea that slip-and-fall accidents are usually “minor” or “nuisance” lawsuits, and are not worth much money. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Slip-and-fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury, and fully one-third of all slip-and-fall accidents will result in serious injuries, including broken bones and other trauma. If you have been seriously injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it is very important not to allow the insurance companies or others to treat your case as “minor.”
The Truth About Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents are not “minor” or “nuisance” claims. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, over 1 million people each year visit emergency rooms due to injuries sustained in slip-and-fall accidents. These victims suffer everything from broken bones to head trauma, and many of them require further hospitalization or long-term treatment in order to recover. Children and the elderly are at the highest level of risk from falls. In fact, one-third of all people over 65 will suffer a serious fall at some point in their lives, and one-third of those victims will die within one year of the accident.
The most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents are:
- Poor lighting that leads to trips and falls. Poorly lit corridors or exterior areas are common sites for falls.
- Poorly built stairs. If stairs are too steep or too narrow, falls may occur.
- Rips in carpeting. Ripped carpet can easily cause a trip and fall.
- Slippery floors. Floors that are covered in water or some other substance can be slick and may lead to a fall.
- Lack of proper guardrails. Raised platforms must have proper guardrails around them. If they do not, falls can result.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Fitzgerald Law Firm in New York understand how to deal with slip-and-fall accidents. We have spent many years working with victims who have been told they have no case or that their cases are only worth a small amount of money. In many instances, we are able to get them a larger settlement simply because we understand the law and how it can be put to work to protect the victim. Call us today for a free consultation about your case.