Injured on Unsafe Property? A Long Island Trip and Fall Attorney Can Help

Trip and fall injuries can happen anywhere, whether you’re walking through a parking lot in Hauppauge, shopping in a Suffolk County mall, or strolling along a Long Island sidewalk. No one expects to suffer a fall, but when the unexpected happens, the uncertainty of what to do next can be daunting. Navigating New York’s premises liability laws is complex, but understanding your rights and the legal process is the first step toward securing proper compensation. So, what do you do when you’ve been injured in a slip and fall but don’t know what to do next? You hire the most qualified and experienced Long Island trip and fall attorney to handle your case. The dedicated attorneys at Matera & Manley, LLP, will hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

What Is a Trip and Fall Accident?

A trip and fall accident occurs when someone is injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. These accidents can happen in many places, such as on sidewalks, in stores, on stairs, or in parking lots. If you fall due to an unsafe condition that the property owner should have addressed, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim.

Trip and fall accidents can occur for a number of reasons, but many are due to:

• Uneven or cracked sidewalks
• Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways
• Wet or slippery floors
• Icy or unshoveled sidewalks
• Obstructed walkways
• Loose rugs or mats
• Faulty handrails

In New York, property owners must keep their property safe for lawful visitors, such as customers, guests, or employees.

The Basics of Trip and Fall Liability in New York

When property owners or occupiers fail to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable under premises liability law. To establish a successful trip and fall claim, the following elements must be proven:

1. Duty of care: The property owner or occupier had a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors.
2. Breach of duty: The owner or occupier created a hazardous condition, knew about it, or should have known about it, and failed to address or warn about it.
3. Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused the injury.
4. Damages: The victim suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses or lost wages.

Understanding Negligence in Trip and Fall Cases

To win a trip and fall case, you must prove negligence. Negligence occurs when a property owner or manager fails to meet their legal obligation to maintain a safe environment. To prove negligence, you must show that the property owner created a dangerous environment, knew about it, or should have known about it, and failed to fix it.

It is important to understand that New York applies a comparative negligence rule for trip and fall cases, which means that if you’re found partially at fault for your injury, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 30% at fault and the damages are $100,000, you would recover $70,000.

Having a skilled Long Island trip and fall attorney by your side can help maximize your recovery and ensure you’re treated fairly. Matera & Manley, LLP, is a top law firm for trip and fall victims in Long Island with a long history of successful case results.

The Importance of Timely Action With a Long Island Trip and Fall Attorney

In New York, individuals injured in a slip and fall typically have three years from the accident date to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If the fall happened on government-owned property, the rules are stricter. In these situations, a notice of claim must be submitted within 90 days, and legal action must begin within one year and 90 days. Missing these critical deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation.

At Matera & Manley, our lawyers act quickly to preserve evidence and meet deadlines so you don’t lose your chance at justice.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Long Island Trip and Fall Attorney

Trip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries and long-term consequences. If you’ve been injured due to a negligent property owner, it’s essential to work with a Long Island trip and fall attorney who can guide you through the legal process. The attorneys at Matera & Manley, LLP, have the necessary knowledge and experience to fight for you and help secure the compensation you deserve.

Contact Matera & Manley, LLP, today for a free and confidential consultation. Our team of experienced attorneys will help you understand your options and work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served.