Slip and Fall Lawyer in Edison, NJ

Did you slip and fall on someone else’s property in Edison, NJ? You could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, including money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. But to win this valuable compensation, you’ll have to go up against powerful insurance companies, their trained adjusters, and their aggressive defense attorneys. That’s not a fight you should take on alone — and the good news is that you don’t have to. A skilled Edison slip-and-fall lawyer at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon will stand up for you.

Since 1981, our legal team has represented 30,000 clients and secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts in New Jersey and New York. We know the strategies insurers employ to deny or dismiss valid claims, and we’ll put that experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Edison slip-and-fall accident attorney.

Common Causes of Slip and Falls

Leading causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Loose or bulging carpeting
• Wet floors
• Cracks or potholes
• Broken steps
• Inadequate lighting
• Loose rugs or mats
• Missing or damaged handrails
• Loose floorboards
• Uneven sidewalks or walkways
• Spilled liquids
• Exposed wiring and other tripping hazards
• Ice and snow
• Assaults and other acts of violence

Data suggest that about 50 percent of slip-and-falls occur because of something wrong with the walkway surface.

Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents

Common slip-and-fall injuries include the following:

• Neck and shoulder injuries – These painful injuries are especially likely when the victim tries to grab onto something to prevent a fall. Neck injuries often involve muscle strains, sprains, and spinal injuries. Damage to the shoulder can affect the nerves, joints, and bones.
• Fractures – About 5 percent of people who fall suffer a broken bone, according to the National Floor Safety Institute(NFSI). Slip-and-falls can lead to broken ankles, wrists, arms, hips, pelvis, or back. Some accidents cause multiple fractures.
• Knee damage – Blunt-force trauma to the knees can cause significant damage, such as a broken knee cap. Other injuries can include torn ligaments and dislocated patellas.
• Back injuries – The harsh impact of a fall can injure the muscles, bones, and soft tissue of the back. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries can lead to chronic pain and, in the worst cases, lifelong paralysis.
• Bruises and cuts – Slip-and-fall accidents can cause deep cuts if a victim crashes on or through the glass while falling, leading to dangerous bleeding.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A sudden blow or jolt to the head can cause a TBI. The external force jostles the brain inside the skull, damaging nerves and tissue. TBIs come in many forms, including hematomas, concussions, coup-contrecoup, and diffuse axonal injuries. They can disrupt normal cognitive functioning and interfere with a person’s mental and physical abilities, resulting in long-term disabilities.
• Sprains – Many people instinctively put out their hands to break their fall. In the process, they can damage the bones in their hands and wrists. Sprained ankles also occur when someone trips over an obstacle.

In addition to these painful physical injuries, many slip-and-fall victims suffer emotionally because of the trauma associated with the injury. In severe cases, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.

What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, immediately alert the owner or manager. Ask for a copy of any incident report they take.

If you don’t need emergency care, see a doctor after leaving the premises. Describe every symptom you feel. Tell them what happened and how the fall occurred. They might recommend specific treatment after the initial evaluation, which you should follow precisely.

Keep copies of all hospital bills, physical therapy notes, prescriptions, and other medical documentation you receive. Every record can be valuable evidence in any future slip-and-fall claim you need to file.

Finally, consult a trusted slip-and-fall accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, we have a proven track record of success to give you peace of mind while you recover. Once you retain our services, you can focus on your treatment while we handle the slip-and-fall claims process.

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Slip-and-Fall Case?

Falling on someone’s property doesn’t automatically entitle you to compensation. You must first prove their negligent actions created the dangerous conditions that led to the accident.

A property owner is typically liable for slip-and-falls because they must keep their premises safe for visitors. However, third parties can also be at fault for hazards on the premises. For example, a maintenance worker might be liable for leaving tools in a hallway, causing a tripping hazard.

The parties commonly liable for slip-and-falls include:

• Property owners
• Repair companies or their employees
• Renters
• Workers
• Landscapers
• Property managers
• Maintenance companies

Keep in mind that a property owner’s responsibilities to you depend on why you were on their property in the first place. New Jersey recognizes three types of visitors:

• Invitee – An invitee is a person with permission to enter the premises for the owner’s benefit. For example, a customer at a retail store is an invitee because they might purchase goods, which benefits the owner. Owners must inspect their properties regularly to discover hazards and remove them.
• Licensee – A licensee enters someone else’s property for their benefit or amusement. A social guest at a party is an example of a licensee. Property owners aware of a dangerous condition must make it reasonably safe or provide the licensee with adequate warning. However, the owner doesn’t have to perform regular inspections to locate potential hazards.
• Trespasser – A trespasser has the least protection under New Jersey premises liability laws. That’s because they enter someone’s property without permission. The property owner’s only obligation is to warn of conditions posing a risk of injury or death and avoid intentional acts that can harm trespassers.

You need compelling evidence to prove liability after a slip and fall. You must show the accident resulted from the dangerous condition, the responsible party knew about it, and the fall led to your injuries and losses. Examples of evidence in a slip-and-fall case include:

• Eyewitness testimony
• Documentation establishing financial losses, such as medical bills and pay stubs
• Security camera footage of the incident
• Inspection and repair records from the property owner
• Pictures from the scene of the fall
• Medical records proving the type and extent of your injuries
• Expert testimony from healthcare providers and occupational specialists

Some of this evidence might prove difficult to collect and preserve without the help of an experienced attorney. The sooner you contact one, the more they can do on your behalf.

Compensation Available in New Jersey Slip-and-Fall Claims

A slip and fall can lead to time off work, medical bills, and other burdens. The costs can add up over time and become a serious financial hardship. You should not be the one to foot the bill if someone else is to blame. Instead, you can file a claim or lawsuit against them, demanding slip-and-fall compensation like:

• Hospital visits, physical therapy, and other medical expenses
• Other out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering

After reviewing the circumstances, a hard-hitting personal injury lawyer can place a fair value on your slip-and-fall case.

Statute of Limitations for Slip-and-Fall Cases in New Jersey

A statute of limitations sets the allotted period for filing a lawsuit after an accident. In New Jersey, injured people have two years to sue the owner or another liable party for a slip-and-fall injury. The clock starts ticking from the day the injury occurs.

The courts strictly enforce this deadline. If you file suit after the limitations period expires, the defendant will likely file a motion in court and the judge will dismiss the case, forfeiting your right to compensation. There are limited exceptions to the statute of limitations, particularly if your claim is against a government entity. Speaking with an attorney is crucial to learn the time limit that applies to your case.

Talk to an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer in Edison, NJ Today

Slip-and-falls are often due to negligence. If a property owner, their employee, or a third party fails to keep their premises safe and you get hurt, New Jersey law gives you the right to hold them accountable and seek appropriate compensation. However, proving they are to blame and owe you money can be challenging without assistance from a skilled and knowledgeable slip-and-fall attorney.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Get Davis, Saperstein & Salomon on your side. Call us now for a free consultation with an Edison slip-and-fall attorney. We can meet you at one of our multiple offices in New Jersey or virtually if you prefer.

Diversity matters to us — we also have Spanish-speaking team members and translators for other languages. Contact us today.