A slip-and-fall accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Under New York laws, if this occurs as the result of a property owner’s negligence, the victim might have grounds to recover financial and emotional damages. However, there are crucial steps to take immediately after such an incident to avoid jeopardizing a successful premises liability lawsuit in which fault will have to be shown.
It is crucial to record everything about the incident to ensure none of the essential details are forgotten by the time the civil law system processes a claim. Details should include the cause of the fall, which could be defects in the walkway, randomly placed objects or wet spots. Were there warnings posted to alert customers or visitors to the property of dangerous conditions?
The next step is to consult a doctor for a thorough medical examination. This is necessary even if the injuries seem insignificant. It is not only to make sure that any injuries are treated but also for legal purposes. The doctor must be informed of all the details of the incident to ensure an accurate diagnosis. A medical report and records of any follow-up treatment must form part of the reports.
Premises liability laws are complicated, and it makes sense to utilize the skills of an experienced New York personal injury attorney to navigate the ensuing legal proceedings. The lawyer can assess all the information recorded by the injured victim along with the medical records. If such a lawsuit is successfully presented, the injured victim might be awarded monetary recovery of economic and noneconomic damages.