New Haven Slip & Fall Accident Attorney

Fighting For Slip & Fall Accident Victims in Connecticut

Trips on slippery surfaces and uneven pavement are a natural part of life. Sometimes, though, these accidents aren’t just accidents but are caused by the negligence of another party – few people attempt to investigate their accidents further. While not all accidents on property are someone’s fault, our New Haven slip and fall accident attorneys have handled enough premises liability claims to know that many are the result of carelessness on the part of property owners.

Property owners have a responsibility to keep their property or buildings safe for guests and visitors – when they violate this responsibility, they must be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused. You can trust Action Law Group to advocate for your needs. With more than two decades of experience, we have the knowledge and resources that are needed to successfully handle your claim and work to ensure at-fault parties don’t put anyone else in harm’s way again.
 

What is Premises Liability?

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Some common conditions that often lead to slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet floors
• Oily floors
• Hidden or unsecured extension cords or cables
• Torn carpeting or rugs
• Defective staircases or stairs that lack proper railings
• Loose or broken floors, sidewalks, or steps
• Poor lighting that prevents people from detecting hazards

These accidents can happen anywhere, though some people may be more at risk of injuries than others. Restaurant workers, for example, have a higher risk of injury due to the presence of oily or slippery floors from dropped food or liquids and constant movement by waiters and other staff. Construction workers also frequently encounter unsafe premises conditions on worksites.

Visitors can also be hurt in places where they reasonably expect walkways to be well maintained, such as parking garages near Union Station, campus buildings in and around Yale University, or retail centers along I-95. Winter weather can lead to dangerous ice accumulation on steps and sidewalks if business or property owners do not treat surfaces in a timely way. By investigating where and how you fell, we can work to identify whether the hazardous condition was temporary, how long it was present, and whether reasonable inspection or maintenance could have prevented your injury.

Common Injuries in Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents could result in a wide range of injuries, some of which could have long-lasting impacts on your health and quality of life. 

Common injuries resulting from these accidents include:

• Fractures and Broken Bones: One of the most frequent injuries in slip and fall cases, broken bones often occur when individuals fall and attempt to brace themselves. Wrists, arms, ankles, and hips are particularly vulnerable.
• Sprains and Strains: Falls can cause sprained ankles, knees, or wrists as well as strained muscles and tendons. While these injuries may seem minor, they can cause substantial discomfort and require extended recovery times.
• Head Injuries: A slip and fall can result in a person striking their head on the ground or nearby objects, leading to concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Head injuries can vary from mild concussions to life-threatening conditions that require ongoing medical care.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls can also result in damage to the spinal cord, which may cause temporary or permanent paralysis, nerve damage, or chronic pain.
• Back and Neck Injuries: Slip and fall accidents frequently result in strains, herniated discs, and other back or neck injuries. These injuries can cause serious pain and limit mobility, sometimes requiring surgery to correct.
• Cuts and Bruises: While less serious, cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries can still be painful and could lead to complications if not properly treated.

After a fall, prompt medical evaluation is important, even if you feel you can “walk it off,” because some injuries, including concussions and internal damage, may not show symptoms right away. Following your doctor’s treatment plan, attending follow-up appointments, and keeping records of all visits and prescriptions can also support your legal claim later. When we build a case, we look not only at the immediate emergency room bills but also at ongoing therapy, assistive devices, or future procedures you may reasonably need because of the fall.

How To Prove Negligence?

To be properly compensated for your damages, you need to prove that the property owner was negligent – proving this requires the trained eye of a legal professional. It’s important to know that not all slip and fall accidents are caused by negligence. Our lawyers have decades of experience and can easily prove that the at-fault property either caused the dangerous condition, did nothing about the condition, and/or attempted to fix the condition but did an inadequate job.

To do this, we may gather incident reports, photograph the scene, interview witnesses, and request any available security video before it is lost or deleted. We also review maintenance logs, snow and ice removal contracts, or cleaning schedules when they are available to see whether reasonable inspections were taking place. In some cases, we may work with safety professionals who can explain how building codes or industry standards apply to stairways, lighting, or flooring, and whether those standards were ignored in your situation.

What To Do After a Slip & Fall in New Haven

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Slip & Fall Accident Claim?

• Medical Expenses: Injuries sustained in a fall can vary from minor bruises to severe fractures or head injuries, leading to extensive medical bills.
• Lost Wages: A slip and fall can result in time away from work, impacting your income and financial stability.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical injuries often come with emotional and mental distress. Compensation for pain and suffering is a crucial aspect of a slip and fall claim.
• Property Damage: In some cases, personal belongings may be damaged during a fall. This can include a mobile device, glasses, or other valuables.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Serious injuries may require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, or physical therapy.
• Punitive Damages: In instances where the responsible party's actions were particularly egregious, punitive damages may be sought. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior in the future.

When we evaluate your losses, we look beyond immediate receipts and consider how the injury affects your ability to work, care for your family, and participate in daily activities you enjoyed before the fall. This can involve documenting missed time from work, gathering statements from family or coworkers about changes in your abilities, and reviewing medical opinions about your long-term prognosis. A New Haven slip and fall lawyer from our firm can help you present a clear picture of both your economic and non-economic damages when negotiating with insurers or preparing for court.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – New Haven Slip & Fall Accidents