In New York, all property owners, including businesses, have a responsibility to maintain their property in a way that prevents visitors from being injured. In order to determine whether you or the business owner are at fault for your injuries, the following questions need to be answered by an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney.:
- Was the business owner aware of the dangerous condition?
- Would it be reasonable to expect that the owner would have been aware of the condition?
- Did the business owner have a reasonable amount of time to fix or warn people of the condition?
- Did the business owner make clear to you the poor condition of the property that caused your injury?
Depending on the answers to these questions, the business owner may be held accountable for your injuries and you could be entitled to compensation. Just like anyone else, commercial property owners in New York also have a legal responsibility to make sure that their property is safe.
What Steps Should I Take If I Need To File A Personal Injury Claim After A Slip & Fall Accident?
First of all, you should start collecting evidence right away. If you fall and suffer an injury, you should be sure to photograph the location as soon as possible just in case the business owners attempts to later alter the scene. If you slip and fall in a parking lot, for example, take pictures of the entire location from a variety of angles but most importantly make sure you photograph the surface at the exact location of your fall. You should write down an account of what happened while your memory is still fresh. You should take pictures of any visible injuries every few days as they heal. You need to get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. You should keep records of your medical appointments and expenses related to your injuries.
Most importantly, you need to contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney who can then do an initial case assessment and start the process of recovering damages for your injuries. Once retained, your attorney will first attempt to settle the claim. If the business owner (or their insurance company) will not make a reasonable settlement offer, your attorney will file a complaint in the appropriate court and go through the discovery process, all the while continuing to attempt try and settle the case. If the other side won’t budge, you need an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney representing you at trial to make sure you received the compensation that you deserve.
For more information on Slip And Fall Injuries In New York, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (631) 259-6060 today.
