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Winter in New York City is beautiful, yet inclement weather can bring a higher risk of accidents. Rain, sleet, and snow frequently lead to slips and falls. Sometimes these falls are minor, but in other cases they can cause serious injury.
When is a fall just an accident, and when can it be attributed to someone else’s negligence? Here are several ways to understand the difference.
In personal injury cases, the term “slip and fall” is used when an individual is injured by falling on another’s property. These cases are tried as premises liability suits. Under certain circumstances, the property owner may be held liable for a plaintiff’s personal injuries.
Due to the high average winter precipitation in New York City, slip and fall injuries are common in colder months. These accidents can result in every kind of injury, from cuts and scrapes to serious problems like nerve damage and head injuries.
Some situations that may result in premises liability cases include the following:
If you slip or trip on someone else’s property, you must be able to prove the property owner’s negligence. Furthermore, you must have sustained an injury in order to file suit. Also, you must file within the time-sensitive statute of limitations to be able to receive damages. An experienced New York personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you on the specifics of your case.
To prove the accident occurred due to a property owner’s negligence, at least one of the following statements must be true:
Depending on where your accident occurred, the liability for a personal injury claim will take different forms. Here are several examples to consider.
This winter, take precautions against slips and falls by being alert and aware while walking the city streets. Wear shoes with good traction and thoroughly dry them once inside a building. Being safety-conscious when the weather turns bad may prevent you from serious injury.
However, sometimes accidents can happen despite your best efforts. If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property and you are dealing with injuries, you may qualify for a premises liability claim. Act fast to talk to a skilled personal injury attorney, who can advise you on the viability of your case before the filing time limit runs out.