Woodbridge Slip & Fall Attorneys

Fighting to Hold Property Owners Accountable in New Jersey

At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., we understand that slipping and tripping accidents cause significant injuries and hardships. Many of these cases result from property owner negligence or lack of proper maintenance. Our firm welcomes these claims and has achieved great success over the years in client recoveries. With more than 100+ combined years of experience, we know how to prepare and present premises liability cases to recover maximum compensation.

Have you been injured on someone else's property? Call Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. today at (732) 709-4400 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a slip & fall lawyer in Woodbridge.

What to Do After a Slip & Fall Accident

If you've experienced a slip and fall accident, it's essential to take certain steps to protect your well-being and preserve any potential legal claim you might have. Here's a guide on what to do after a slip and fall accident:

1. Prioritize Your Safety: Ensure that you are in a safe location and seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. Your health is the top priority.
2. Report the Incident: If the slip and fall occurred on someone else's property, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or a responsible party. Document the details, including the time, date, and location of the incident.
3. Gather Evidence: Take photographs of the scene, including the hazard that caused the slip and fall, any visible injuries, and the overall conditions. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information.
4. Obtain Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries may not manifest immediately, and having a medical record can be vital for any future legal claims.
5. Document Your Injuries: Keep a record of your injuries, the medical treatment you receive, and any medications prescribed. This documentation can be essential in establishing a connection between the slip and fall and your injuries.
6. Preserve Clothing and Footwear: Keep the clothing and footwear you were wearing at the time of the incident as potential evidence. They may help illustrate the conditions at the scene.
7. Collect Information: Obtain the contact information of the property owner, manager, or any employees present. Additionally, collect insurance information from the responsible party.
8. Avoid Making Statements: Refrain from making any statements or admissions of fault. This includes not apologizing or accepting blame, as these statements can be used against you later.
9. Identify Witnesses: If there were witnesses to the incident, obtain their names and contact information. They may provide valuable testimony in support of your claim.
10. Preserve Evidence: If possible, preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as the shoes you were wearing, the clothing you had on, or any items that may have contributed to the incident.
11. Contact an Attorney: Consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in slip and fall claims. They can provide guidance on the legal aspects of your situation and help you understand your rights and options.

Common Injuries From Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor bruises and sprains to more serious injuries like:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries, which can range from herniated discs to more serious spinal cord injuries that can result in partial or complete paralysis
• Fractures, particularly in the wrist, hip, and ankle
• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains 

Proving Negligence in a Slip & Fall Claim

To succeed in a slip and fall accident lawsuit in New Jersey, you generally need to establish the following elements to demonstrate that the property owner or occupier was negligent:

1. Duty of Care: You must show that the property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care. Property owners generally have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors.
2. Breach of Duty: You need to demonstrate that the property owner breached their duty of care by failing to take reasonable steps to address or prevent hazardous conditions on their property. This could involve issues like inadequate maintenance, failure to provide warnings, or negligence in addressing known dangers.
3. Causation: You must establish a direct link between the property owner's breach of duty and your injuries. In other words, you need to show that the hazardous condition directly caused your slip and fall.
4. Notice: You may need to prove that the property owner had either actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition. Actual notice means they knew about the danger, while constructive notice means they should have known about it through reasonable inspection or monitoring.
5. Foreseeability: You may have to demonstrate that the slip and fall incident was foreseeable, meaning a reasonable person could have anticipated the potential for harm based on the circumstances.
6. Damages: You must show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the slip and fall, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.

Strong documentation and evidence, such as photographs of the scene, witness statements, medical records, and any other relevant records, can significantly strengthen your case.

FAQs About Slip & Fall Accident Claims in NJ

Who can be held liable for my slip and fall accident in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, property owners, business managers, landlords, or tenants can be held liable for a slip and fall if they failed to maintain their property in a safe condition. Liability arises if the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to address it. This includes hazards like slippery floors, broken stairs, or inadequate lighting. If you were injured on public property, a government entity might be liable, but special notice requirements apply in such cases.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including slip and fall cases, is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file within this period, your case may be dismissed, and you will lose the opportunity to seek compensation. However, if the claim is against a government entity (such as a municipality), you must file a formal notice of your intent to sue within 90 days of the incident.

Can I file a claim if I slipped and fell at a friend’s or relative’s house?

Yes, you can file a claim if you slipped and fell at a friend’s or relative’s house. In such cases, the homeowner’s insurance policy often covers liability for injuries that occur on their property. Filing a claim is typically not a direct claim against the homeowner but rather against their insurance provider. It’s important to remember that pursuing a claim doesn’t mean you’re suing your friend or family member personally, but rather seeking compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.

What if the slip and fall happened in a store or business?

If you slip and fall in a store or business in New Jersey, the property owner or business operator may be held liable if they failed to maintain a safe environment. Businesses have a legal duty to inspect their premises and address hazards promptly. If a dangerous condition, such as a wet floor or uneven surface, was not corrected or adequately warned about, you may be able to seek compensation through a premises liability claim. Be sure to report the incident to store management and document the scene as soon as possible.

What kind of compensation can I recover in a slip and fall case?

Victims of slip and fall accidents in New Jersey may be entitled to several types of compensation, including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases where the injury leads to long-term disability or permanent impairment, you may also be compensated for loss of earning capacity and ongoing medical care. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances surrounding the accident.

What if I am partially at fault for the slip and fall accident?

New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for not paying attention, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover any compensation.

Do I need an attorney for a slip and fall claim in New Jersey?

While you are not legally required to hire an attorney for a slip and fall claim, having an experienced personal injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation. An attorney can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate deadlines. Additionally, if your case goes to court, an attorney can represent your interests and advocate for the best possible outcome.

How Our Woodbridge Slip & Fall Accident Lawyers Can Help

Property owners are not automatically responsible for all injuries that occur on their premises; however, they can be held accountable for unsafe conditions that result in injuries. Our Woodbridge slip and fall attorneys have brought successful lawsuits against owners of stores, malls, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, parking lots, apartment buildings, and other commercial properties.

We can pursue your compensation for any slip-and-fall injury, such as:

• Slippery floors.
• Potholes or raised concrete.
• Broken or uneven steps.
• Broken handrails.
• Insufficient lighting.
• Hidden step-ups or step-downs.
• Electrical cords or torn carpets.
• Snow and ice accumulations.

We Offer a Free Slip & Fall Claim Evaluation

We work on a contingency fee basis, never requiring you to pay until we are successful in recovering damages, and even offer free case consultations. Our law firm handles slip and fall accidents throughout Woodbridge, Middlesex County, and throughout New Jersey.

On our team, we have skilled and proven Woodbridge premises liability lawyers who are committed to the success of your claims. We promptly investigate every claim we take on to preserve evidence of the dangerous condition that led to your serious injury. 

Contact Your Woodbridge Slip & Fall Attorney Today

We put our decades of experience and extensive knowledge of personal injury law to use when we build a claim for liability and damages. Since property owners can be sued for code violations or neglected repairs that were ignored, they can be pursued in a personal injury claim.

Contact Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. today to get started with our Woodbridge slip & fall lawyers.