If you suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall accident, you may assume your pain and suffering is due to your own clumsiness or inattentiveness. However, in many cases, these types of accidents are not the result of personal error, but rather the result of another party’s negligence.
Negligent maintenance is one of the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents, and victims have the right to hold the responsible parties accountable. If you were hurt, you may work with a New Jersey personal injury lawyer to determine if you could have a valid premises liability claim.
Causes of slip-and-fall accidents and your rights as a victim
A slip-and-fall accident can bring significant pain and suffering. While often dismissed as a minor incident, a fall can result in broken or fractured bones, bruises, skin lacerations and head trauma. Some of the most common reasons that people slip and fall on public property include the following:
- Grease on the floor of a restaurant
- Unmarked wet floors
- Cleaning solution or wax on the floors
- Uneven sidewalks
- Poorly lit walkways
- Icy sidewalks or parking lots
- Rugs or other tripping hazards
Storeowners and government property managers have the responsibility to maintain safe premises that are free from unnecessary hazards. Property owners and insurance agencies may try to deny liability, and you may find it difficult to get the recovery you need for these losses:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Therapy
- Emotional pain and suffering
When faced with the difficult aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident, you need a lawyer who can help you maximize compensation and help you return to the physical and financial state that you enjoyed before your fall.
Do not navigate the personal injury process alone
The key to a successful personal injury claim is an experienced attorney. If you believe that you are entitled to financial recompense after a slip-and-fall accident, you would be wise to act quickly to protect your interests. Proving liability is complex, and important evidence can be difficult or impossible to locate if you wait too long after your accident to take legal action.
Negligent maintenance may have been the cause of your slip-and-fall accident, but there are options for recourse available to you. From the initial consultation to navigating the claims procedure, you do not have to navigate the process alone.