At Towey Law, PLLC, our slip and fall attorneys have handled numerous premises liability cases. We understand injuries from slip and fall accidents can cause severe head trauma, broken and dislocated bones, and other serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a negligent property owner, let Towey Law, PLLC help you secure the compensation you deserve. Please consult with one of our experienced Buffalo personal injury attorneys today by calling (716) 899-1605.
Why Choose A Buffalo Slip & Fall Lawyer From Towey Law?
When you are hurt in a serious accident, a skilled and experienced slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo will make a significant difference in your case:
- At Towey Law, PLLC, we are committed to providing aggressive advocacy and exceptional service.
- We are results-driven, securing over a million dollars for our clients in settlements and verdicts.
- We believe everyone is entitled to representation when they are injured due to someone’s negligent acts and provide free case consultations.
What A Buffalo Slip & Fall Attorney Can Do for You
Slip and fall claims can be challenging. The property owner’s liability can be contested, proving negligence can be difficult, and defining an owner’s duty of care can be challenging.
An experienced slip and fall attorney understands there are significant gray areas in premises liability claims concerning what is reasonably safe and what level of care was owed to the injured person.
At Towey Law, PLLC, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation, including talking to witnesses, examining camera footage, and gathering police and medical records
- Assess all damages, including placing a value on the pain you have experienced
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf
- Protect your best interests throughout the claim process
- Provide responsive communication from day one
If a fair offer is not made, we will gladly pursue the compensation you deserve by a verdict. Our slip and fall lawyers have the skills and resources to fight for your rights.
Resources on This Page
- Defining Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Buffalo, New York
- Are Slip and Fall Accidents Serious?
- Leading Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
- Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
- Damages That a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help Recover
- Compensation Available for a Slip and Fall Claim
- How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
- Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Incident in Buffalo
- Can a Landlord Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
- Can a Government Entity Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
- A Slip & Fall Attorney in Buffalo Will Protect Your Rights
Defining Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Buffalo, New York
When considering a slip and fall claim, it is important to know how premises liability in Buffalo is defined.
First, you must show that the party owed a duty of care to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition. This duty applies to property owners, property managers, operators, landlords, tenants, and those who have control over the property. What is “reasonably safe” can be different in each case, depending on the specific facts.
First, you must show that the party owed a duty of care to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition. This duty applies to property owners, property managers, operators, landlords, tenants, and those who have control over the property. What is “reasonably safe” can be different in each case, depending on the specific facts.
Each slip and fall accident presents a unique set of circumstances that your premises liability attorney in Buffalo will need to evaluate.
Are Slip and Fall Accidents Serious?
Slip and fall accidents can cause significant damage. According to the National Floor Safety Institute:
- Eight million people find themselves in the ER every year from a slip and fall.
- Slip and falls are the leading cause of workplace injuries, resulting in the highest number of worker compensation claims.
- Bone fractures lead to the most severe consequences.
- Total injuries due to falls account for $13-14 million in medical care.
In many cases, a slip and fall can do more damage than people are aware. Soft tissue damage may cause swelling around the spine, a spinal disc may slip, broken bones and sprains can be caused by trying to break the fall. Catastrophic injuries also include brain injury and spinal cord injury.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you deserve to know your rights. Contact our Buffalo slip and fall attorneys today.
What Are the Leading Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
It is impossible to list all the reasons a slip and fall accident claim may be brought against a property owner. If you have been injured in a fall, contact a slip and fall lawyer to discuss your accident.
Some of the leading causes of slip and fall injuries include:
- Uneven flooring
- Debris, clutter, and other obstacles obstructing walkways
- Loose and uneven steps
- A build-up of ice and snow
- Potholes in business parking lots
- Bulging and worn carpeting
- Unmaintained pavements that have cracks and holes
- Wet, greased, or otherwise slippery floor
- Faulty scaffolding
- Improper safety practices
- Failure to post warning signs where necessary, including Caution: Wet Floor or Caution: Walkways May Be Icy
- Loose cables and wires
- Loose or broken stairway rails
- Faulty ladders or unsecured ladders
- Unsecured rugs and mats
- Bright lights that cause a glare on shiny floors
- Flooring transitions from one room to the next
- Failure to use adequate barriers to close off wet floors
- Failure to use non-skid floor treatments when required
A property owner has a duty to prevent slip and fall accidents. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to negligence, let our talented legal team help you obtain the compensation you need.
Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Slip and fall incidents can lead to a wide variety of injuries, ranging from relatively minor to severe. In many cases, individuals will sustain more than one type of injury due to a single slip and fall incident. Some of the most common injuries associated with Buffalo slip and fall accidents include:
- Fractures: Slip and fall accidents frequently result in fractures, with bones such as wrists, hips, and ankles being commonly affected.
- Sprains and Strains: Ligaments and muscles can suffer injuries, leading to sprains and strains, often seen in slip and fall incidents.
- Head Injuries: Falls can cause head injuries, ranging from mild concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries.
- Back Injuries: Slip and falls can cause injuries to the spine, leading to back pain and potential long-term issues.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can result in significant pain and limitations in movement.
- Contusions and Bruises: Impacts with the ground or surrounding objects can cause contusions and bruises, often visible on the skin.
- Dislocations: Joints may become dislocated due to the impact of a slip and fall, causing pain and requiring medical attention.
What Are the Damages That a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help Recover?
At Towey Law, PLLC, we have helped many families in the Buffalo area secure the compensation they deserve. Every slip and fall claim is distinct and may qualify for different damages. However, the most common recoverable damages include:
- Economic Damages. Economic damages associated with a slip and fall accident in Buffalo revolve around calculable losses the victim will likely incur as a result of the incident. Our team will examine receipts, invoices, or bills the injury victim receives or is expected to receive to help calculate the following:
- Medical bills associated with the incident
- The cost of medical devices or prescription medications
- Coverage of physical therapy or rehabilitation needed
- Out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the incident
- Lost income if a victim is unable to work while they recover
- Non-Economic Damages. Non-economic damages are different from the economic damages just mentioned because they are more immeasurable. By this, we mean that they do not have exact dollar figures that can be expressed by using receipts or bills. Instead, these revolve around the more unseen losses that a slip and fall accident victim may endure, such as their physical and emotional pain and suffering or a loss of quality of life caused by the injuries.
- Complete coverage of medical expenses
- Loss of income if you are unable to work
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering damages
- Permanent or temporary disability
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
If a death resulted from a slip & fall accident, please get into contact with our wrongful death lawyers in Buffalo today.
How Much Compensation is Available for a Slip and Fall Claim?
There is no set amount of compensation paid to slip and fall accident victims in Buffalo if their claim is successful against the other party. Rather, there are several factors that can influence the overall compensation amount in one way or the other. Some of these factors include:
- The initial severity of the injuries
- The amount of medical care needed to help a person fully recover
- Whether or not there are any disabilities caused by the injuries
- The overall level of pain and suffering documented
- Whether or not there was any shared thought for the incident
- Insurance policy limitations
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In New York, injury victims have a limited amount of time to file lawsuits and civil court. Per the state’s personal injury statute of limitations, injury victims have three years from the date an injury occurs to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. Failing to file a lawsuit within this three-year time frame will likely result in the slip and fall accident, with them becoming unable to recover compensation for their losses.
In addition to the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, there will likely be other deadlines you need to be aware of. This includes insurance carrier deadlines. Since most slip and fall accident claims are resolved through settlements with insurance carriers, we encourage you to talk to your attorney about filing your claim as promptly as possible. Insurance carriers have fairly vague internal boarding deadlines that could influence your claim.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Incident in Buffalo
There are various steps you can take after a slip and fall accident occurs in the Buffalo area. These steps do not necessarily have to be taken in the exact order they are given here, and you may have already completed some of these steps. If you have any questions about what you need to do after a slip and fall incident occurs, we encourage you to contact a lawyer as soon as possible for a free consultation.
- Prioritize Your Health – Seek immediate medical attention. It’s crucial to address injuries promptly, ensuring your well-being and creating a record of medical care, which can be vital for a legal case.
- Document the Incident – Report the slip and fall to the property manager promptly. This not only ensures that the incident is officially recorded but also establishes a timeline, adding credibility to your case.
- Collect Evidence – Gather any relevant evidence, such as photos of the accident scene or potential hazards. This documentation can be crucial in establishing liability and supporting your legal claim.
- Consult with a Slip and Fall Lawyer – Reach out to a slip and fall attorney who specializes in such cases. A lawyer can provide guidance on the legal aspects, ensuring you understand your rights and potential for compensation.
- Consistent Medical Follow-up – Continue your medical treatment as advised. Consistent medical care not only aids in your recovery but also strengthens your case by establishing a clear link between the incident and your ongoing health concerns.
This is certainly not a complete list of everything you will need to do after a slip and fall incident occurs. However, if you reach out to an attorney soon after the incident and follow their advice, you will have the best chances of reaching success with your claim. The goal is to help you recover the compensation needed to get through this, which means recovering from your injuries and getting back to normal day-to-day activities.
Can a Landlord Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
Landlords have specific responsibilities when it comes to their properties and how they interact with tenants. Whether or not a landlord can be held responsible for a slip and fall incident will depend on several factors. Specifically, the case may look at whether or not the slip and fall incident occurred in an area where the landlord has responsibility, which can include common areas as well as any other areas outlined in the lease. If a slip and fall occurs due to the negligent actions of a landlord, they could hold liability for the incident.
There will need to be a close examination of the specific factors related to the slip and fall to determine whether or not a landlord can be held liable. In some cases, the tenant’s own actions may have contributed to the incident, but this does not necessarily mean they can recover no compensation at all. There will need to be an examination of shared fault in order to determine whether or not a person can recover compensation.
Can a Government Entity Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
There are some situations where a government entity could be held responsible for a slip and fall incident. If a slip and fall injury occurs on government property, there will need to be an investigation into the incident to determine how the incident happened. If it can be determined that a government employee or entity’s negligence contributed to the individual sustaining a slip and fall injury, a lawsuit against the government entity may be viable. However, there are specific processes in place relating to filing an injury claim against a government entity in New York.
The New York Court of Claims Act does allow for the waiver of the state’s sovereign immunity for injury claims, but these claims are more challenging than traditional personal injury claims, and we strongly encourage any person harmed on government property to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible for assistance.
A Slip & Fall Attorney in Buffalo Will Protect Your Rights
Slip and fall claims can be just as complex as Buffalo car accident claims at times. Yet, at Towey Law, PLLC, we have extensive experience representing injured parties due to negligent property owners.
We believe every person is entitled to aggressive representation and dedicated service. Our Buffalo slip & fall attorneys will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with one of our esteemed lawyers today by clicking here or calling (716) 899-1605