Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Skilled Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys in Patchogue, NY

Slip and fall accidents and trip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. If you have sustained injuries in an accident of this type, you may be able to collect compensation to cover your medical bills, lost income and other damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of ability to enjoy your life – and a Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer can help you.

Who is Responsible for a Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident or Trip and Fall Accident?

In the vast majority of cases, the property owner or party responsible for maintaining the property is liable for any injuries or damages caused by a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. The property has to be kept in a safe condition whenever possible, including:

• Removing snow or ice in a timely manner
• Drying or marking out slippery surfaces
• Keeping staircases well-lit and maintained
• Ensuring flooring is level and stable
• Repairing potholes or damages

If these or other conditions are not dealt with properly, then the property owner (or the party responsible for maintaining the property such as a property manager) can be considered to have acted negligently and will be responsible for covering your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related expenses.

How Much is a Trip and Fall or Slip and Fall Accident in Patchogue Worth?

The amount of compensation that you may be able to claim due to your accident will vary depending on a number of factors. This includes how severe your injuries were and whether you had to miss any work, as well as other non-economic impacts on your lifestyle – like the inability to enjoy your life including taking care of your children, pursuing hobbies and enjoying interests, to name just a few.

Thankfully, at Palermo Law, we have vast experience in dealing with these types of personal injury cases. We can determine the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive, as well as identify the person and/or insurance company that is responsible for paying your damages.

Are Victims of Slip and Fall Accidents and Trip and Fall Accidents Always Eligible for Compensation?

To be eligible for compensation as a victim of a slip and fall or trip and fall accident in Patchogue, you must meet certain specific legal requirements. These include:

Unsafe Environment

There must be something wrong at the location of your accident – tripping over your own feet does not count. Examples of dangerous conditions might include an icy driveway, loose stair tread, spilled drink or a pothole.

Pre-Accident Knowledge

The property owner or their representative must have been aware of the potential for an accident before it happened. For example, if you slip on a drink that another customer spilled moments earlier, the property owner is unlikely to be at fault unless they knew about the spill and failed to clean it up. If prior knowledge and sufficient time to remedy the situation cannot be proven, the owner will not be considered at fault.

However, in certain situations actual knowledge of the dangerous condition is not necessary if it can be proven that the owner should have known about the dangerous condition. For example, if you fall as a result of a pothole in a parking lot, it is likely enough to establish the owner should have known about that condition had they been acting reasonably by inspecting their property periodically.

Opportunity to Make it Right

There must have been sufficient time to rectify the issue before your accident. If it has only just started to snow and snow and ice is just beginning to accumulate and you slip, there may not have been an opportunity for anyone to deal with the snow and the owner will not be considered liable. On the other hand, if you slip and fall on snow that had fallen days before, the owner may be liable for not clearing the snow.

If you’re unsure how your accident will be interpreted, contact Palermo Law for a free consultation. We will discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation and provide you with advice and guidance.

What to Do if You Have Had a Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident

Immediately following your accident, you should follow these six steps to ensure that your health and rights are both protected:

1. Get medical assistance
2. Record or photograph the accident site
3. Collect witness names and contact details
4. Report the accident to the owner of the property
5. Where possible, get a copy of an accident report
6. Speak to an experienced Patchogue personal injury lawyer as soon as possible

One invaluable piece of advice when recovering from a slip, trip, and fall accident is this: never speak directly with the insurance company representing the property owner. Often, the insurer will reach out to the victim and act as if they are trying to help you or speed up the process: this is rarely true. The insurance company is usually working against you – every dollar they do not have to pay out to you is a dollar in their pocket, so it is never in your best interest to deal with them directly.

Let us do it for you.

Hiring a Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer from Palermo Law is Easy

At Palermo Law, we have been working on personal injury cases for the people of Patchogue and the surrounding areas for more than 25 years. We have the skill and knowledge to be able to help you at all steps of the process – from ascertaining who is at fault and gathering evidence to negotiating a settlement and representing you in court where necessary. Contact a Patchogue Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer today.

We begin every case with a 100% free, no-obligation (and no pressure) consultation. This can take place at one of our seven offices, including our location right here in Patchogue, or we can meet at your home, workplace, or hospital room if necessary.

If we do take your case, then we will do so on a contingency basis. Commonly known as no-win, no-fee, this means that if we do not win compensation, you do not need to pay for our services.