When you visit a person’s home or apartment, go to work in an office building, shop in a store, walk through a parking lot, or use an elevator or escalator, you have every reason to expect that you will be safe. Unfortunately, property owners and occupiers often fail to inspect their premises, fix hazardous conditions, or warn visitors about the risks they face. Their negligence can cause visitors to suffer serious slip-and-fall accidents.
If you have been in a slip-and-fall accident in New Jersey, you may have the right to bring a premises liability claim and recover compensation from the person, company or government that owns or controls the property. This compensation can cover your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.
The experienced New Jersey slip and fall lawyers of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., have more than 40 years of experience with helping slip and fall injury victims and their families throughout New Jersey. We have secured major settlements and verdicts for our clients who have been badly injured in a slip and fall accident and our lawyers understand how to build your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We know what it takes to pursue full and fair compensation for those who suffer harm due to the negligence of property owners and occupiers. We want to help you, too. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall in New Jersey?
In order to protect your right to a full and fair recovery, the lawyers of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., encourage you to take these seven steps:
A doctor’s examination will document that you suffered injuries due to a slip and fall. Make sure to follow your doctor’s treatment orders.
Fill out an accident report form or give some other form of notice to the owner and/or occupier of the property. If the business or a police officer completes an accident report, request a copy.
If possible, take photos at the scene of the slip and fall. You should also take photos of any injuries you have suffered. Get witness statements to corroborate your claims. Also, look for cameras in the area; your lawyers can use them to obtain surveillance footage.
Keep copies of all of your medical bills and other slip and fall-related expenses. You should also keep copies of any letters that you receive from insurance companies.
Do not wash or clean what you were wearing at the time of the slip and fall. Those clothing items will serve as evidence in your claim.
You should decline to give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company or sign any documents until you speak with a lawyer first.
Never discuss your slip and fall on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media sites. Because insurance companies may try to use anything you post on social media against you, be careful about your activity on those sites until your case is resolved.
Your most important step will be to contact a slip and fall attorney. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we will provide a free consultation. When we meet, we can review what happened to you, answer all of your questions and help you to understand your legal rights and options.
Slippery floors – Snow and ice can melt and puddle inside of a doorway, creating a hazard. Floors also become dangerously slick after they are mopped.
Clutter – Merchandise, equipment, tools, and debris left in the aisle of a store, on a sidewalk, or on a walkway can create a tripping hazard.
Uneven surfaces – Loose or damaged tiles, floorboards, carpets, or mats can cause a person to trip. Scaffolding, railings, and ramps can also be unsafe due to uneven or unsteady surfaces.
Generally, business owners in New Jersey have a higher responsibility for ensuring their properties are hazard-free. This is because they solicit visitors. Also, under New Jersey law, business owners have a specific legal obligation to remove snow and ice under the state’s “natural accumulation” rule.
