What You Can Prove in a Slip and Fall Accident Case
In New York City, you’re always on the move, zipping from one location to another near the speed of light. From one bustling crowd to the continuous stream of pedestrian traffic, your walking environment can be a bit testy due to the overabundance of people alone. After all, people have referred to NYC as a steel jungle for a reason. Anything and everything can and will happen in the Big Apple.
Every destination you visit poses a risk for a slip-and-fall injury, especially on days when Mother Nature isn’t on your side. Taking a tumble can result in mild to life-threatening injuries, which can take a heavy toll on your finances and your wellbeing. If you have suffered from one of these accidents, you do not need to panic. Resources are always at your disposal. Let’s take a closer look at what you can prove in a slip and fall accident case.
The Frequency of Slip and Fall Accidents
Did you know that eight million people are hospitalized for fall-related accidents every year, accounting for 21.3% of all required hospitalizations, while another one million cases directly stem from slip and fall incidences? Needless to say, in a busy world, slip-ups and major tumbles are far too common. Here is what the National Floor Safety Institute has revealed concerning the frequency of slip and fall accidents in our country:
- 5% of all fall victims suffer from fractures.
- Slips and falls are the most common cause for workers compensation claims and occupational injuries for victims who are at least 55 years of age.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that floors and related materials contribute to over two million slip and fall accidents on a yearly basis.
- 50% of accidental fatalities stem from slip and fall incidences.
Analyzing “Slip and Fall Laws”
Once you have contacted an attorney and set to work on your case, you will have to consider what evidence you will have to prove to gain compensation.
One place to start is a careful analysis of a slip and fall law, rules of liability regarding incidents when a victim suffers injuries after slipping on another person’s property. Part of personal injury law, these rules focus on principles of negligence and can also include violation of business codes and unsafe conditions, like poorly-maintained floors and sidewalks.
What Needs to Be Proven
While formulating a slip and fall lawsuit, you must be able to identify the following elements to create a viable case for court:
- The identity of the culprit (if a defendant cannot be identified, courts may accept the name “John Doe” for the purpose of a case)
- Sovereign immunity and notice requirements
- Elements that may determine negligence as a cause
- Sworn testimony concerning the accident
For more information, please review HG.org Legal Resources’ overview of slip and fall cases.
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries as the victims of a rear-end traffic collision, you will no doubt feel terrified and potentially very angry about these circumstances. At the same time, though, you will be concerned about what steps you can take next.
Although it might be difficult, you must stay calm. With the help of an attorney who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can gather viable resources to create a strong case in court. Here at Gattuso & Ciotoli, our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and deliver some of the most high-quality legal services to victims of injuries in New York State. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you get the justice you deserve.
We operate from our office in Syracuse, New York and provide services to clients in the cities of Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, Auburn, and more. For more information on our practice areas and your case, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.