A slip and fall accident is exactly what the name implies – an individual slipping on, or perhaps tripping over something and then tumbling to the ground. These accidents do happen in Chelsea, NYC and can cause very severe injuries.
When a fall happens in Chelsea, NYC due to an unsafe condition on someone else’s property, the injured person may be entitled to just compensation. A premises liability claim will allow a victim of a Slip and fall in Chelsea, NYC to pursue damages from property owners when their negligence caused the accident that resulted in injury.
If you suffered severe injuries in a slip and fall accident in Chelsea, NYC, you need the services of a Chelsea slip-and-fall lawyer to have the best chance of recovering all of the compensation you are entitled to. Make sure you contact Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC as soon as possible after the accident.
Our firm has a record of success that includes recovering significant compensation for slip-and-fall victims throughout the NYC area, including Chelsea, NYC. We can help you understand all of your legal options when you call us or submit a request online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Common Causes of Chelsea, NYC Slip and Fall Accidents
The most common cause of a slip and fall accident in Chelsea, NYC is usually some kind of hazardous condition on the property that a person didn’t see or wasn’t aware of. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Broken handrails
- Poor lighting conditions
- Dirty or debris-covered floors
- Wet and/or slippery flooring
- Snow and ice, sometimes the result of a freeze/thaw/re-refreeze situation
- Potholes, ice, bad curbs in parking lots
- Ripped floor mats
When a slip and fall accident occurs in a place of business, a report should be filed with a manager or supervisor on duty; and also get a copy of the accident report.
If a slip and fall accident in Chelsea happens on private property, you should avoid getting into any arguments with the property owner. Make sure that you find out who the property owner is and then contact your attorney. Remember that homeowner’s insurance will often times cover slip and fall accidents at a residence, so you should not be concerned about making a claim when the property owner is a friend, neighbor or relative.
Property owners in Chelsea, NYC may also be able to avoid liability through what is commonly referred to as the continuing or ongoing storm rule, sometimes referred to as “storm in progress.” Case law in New York holds that some property owners may be able to avoid liability for slip-and-fall accidents arising from bad-weather or other unexpected conditions for which the property owner was neither aware of nor had the time to correct.
Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Occur in Chelsea, New York City
Some of the more common locations that people are hurt in Chelsea, NYC slip and fall accidents include:
- Supermarkets and Grocery Stores
- Department Stores
- Discount Stores or “Big Box” Retailers like Target or Walmart
- Casinos
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Stadiums and Arenas
- Theaters
- Parking Lots
The list above is not at all complete. There are many other public and private places where slip and fall accidents can, and do occur in Chelsea.
Another consideration in slip and fall accidents concerns your legal status on another’s property. The state of New York recognizes three different groups of individuals: Invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees are individuals who are on property in light of the express or implied invitation of the owner and are owed the highest duty of care. Licensees refer to people who are usually on property for their own purpose but generally have permission to be there. A property owner still owes a licensee an obligation to repair or warn them about any known dangerous condition. Trespassers are individuals who are on property without the permission of the property owner and they are not owed any duty of care except in very rare cases, such as those involving children.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. The best-case scenario is a person suffering no harm and they are able to get back to their feet and go about their day without any major issues. However, more serious falls may lead to a number of different injuries. Insurance companies are not always willing to provide the appropriate amount of compensation in these cases without a fight.
Some insurers will attempt to pay victims far less than what is reasonably expected to treat injuries. The insurance company could offer a lump sum settlement that may sound fairly large, but you need to keep all of your future costs in mind before you accept such an offer. Talk to an experienced lawyer before agreeing to any settlement offer.