Were you walking when you suddenly fell and injured yourself due to a broken sidewalk or other dangerous condition? Were you injured on the job, or while delivering a package to someone’s home? Were you shopping when you fell on a dangerous or damaged floor? There are many ways to have a slip-and-fall accident, including falls as a result of:
- Broken or cracked sidewalks or crosswalks;
- Ripped carpeting or damaged flooring or stairs;
- Cracked nosing or treads on stairs;
- Wet or icy walkways, sidewalks or floors;
- Broken or missing hand rails;
- Uneven steps and/or dangerous stairways;
- Liquid left on the floor of a common area or store.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you’ve been involved in a New York slip and fall accident that occurred on someone else’s property, you should act quickly to protect your rights. If the accident occurred on a City owned property, such as a park, a Housing Authority building or in a crosswalk, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days from when your accident occurred. Cases against the City must be filed within one year and 90 days, and cases against private landowners must be filed within three years.
Consulting with an experienced New York attorney specializing in personal injury can help you identify the property owner and notify all responsible parties to protect your rights, but there are things you should do to at the time of your fall to document what happened. Here are three important ways to protect yourself at the time of your fall:
- Take Photographs. Photographing both your personal injuries (such as fractures, cuts, swelling, scrapes, or bruises) and the property that caused your fall is important, and must be documented from a variety of angles to help prove your claim. Take pictures of the location of your accident as soon as possible. If you can’t, ask someone else (such as a witness or family member) to take the pictures for you.
- Report Your Accident: Make sure that you file a report with the police and the organization, city or store that potentially caused your New York slip and fall. Reporting your fall is an important part of proving both the happening of the accident and that it caused your injuries. An accident report, including things like ambulance reports or emergency room records, is an important piece of evidence in proving your case.
- Get Immediate Medical Attention: Seek medical attention for any injuries you sustained, and keep track of any receipts, medical records or prescriptions relating to your injuries. This is important, not just so you can get the necessary treatment, but also to document the complaints and problems you are experiencing.
Place Your Trust in an Experienced New York Slip, Trip and Fall Attorney
If you’ve recently been injured due to a fall, time is of the essence. Contact Bonina & Bonina, P.C., a team of experienced lawyers dedicated to serve every client with skill and compassion. Contact them today at 1-888-MedLaw1 or online for a free consultation.