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Middlesex County Sidewalk Slip & Fall Attorney

Sidewalk Accident

Sidewalk Accident Lawyer in Edison, New Jersey

No one should fear to take a walk. Whatever your reason for doing so, your trip should be free of hazards that can make you slip, trip, or fall in some way. While it is important to be careful as you go, a sidewalk’s condition is often someone’s responsibility. When the condition of the sidewalks are ignored, people can sustain serious injuries as a result. For a majority of places, the sidewalk is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Private citizens, commercial retail shops, and even the local government could be held responsible for the aftermath of a serious slip and fall. It is always best to discuss your situation with an attorney that can assess your case, find the liable parties, and passionately fight for justice. Stathis & Leonardis are seasoned trial attorneys. Our skill and experience equip us with the know-how and legal acumen to provide the effective legal services clients need. For a free consultation with our firm, contact Stathis & Leonardis.

Examples of Sidewalk Slip & Falls

There are many reasons why a person could be hurt on a sidewalk. Conditions that should be monitored include:

  • Weather conditions (ice, snow, and standing water)
  • Surface problems
  • Worn grates and manholes
  • Large cracks
  • Debris
  • Hazardous materials

When these hazards are not addressed, people can sustain serious injuries as a result. Property owners need to act within a reasonable time. In the case of weather conditions, namely snow and ice, each municipality has different regulations regarding cleanup after a storm. If you were walking within the time allotted for cleanup, you may not be able to bring a legal case as you took the risk.

Common Injuries Sustained in Sidewalk Accidents

Unfortunately, sidewalk accidents are oftentimes far more brutal than you may expect. Some of the most common injuries sustained in sidewalk accidents are as follows:

  • Lacerations
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Sprains
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions or other head injuries
  • Wrongful death

Premises Liability Cases

There is a wild misconception that local governments are solely responsible for the condition of sidewalks. The attached, or adjacent property owner is usually the one that needs to care for and monitor sidewalks. This can include private citizens, homeowners associations, commercial property owners, and, yes, even a municipality. Investigating the matter is important to uncover the correct parties. This is why it is so critical that you retain the services of an experienced New Jersey sidewalk slip and fall accident attorney who can work to determine the liable party and, from there, gather and present all of the evidence needed to satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim.

Proving Negligence

If you are seriously injured on a sidewalk and you wish to take legal action to recover compensation for your injuries, it is important to know that you and your attorney must satisfy a legal principle called the burden of proof. This requires the plaintiff to prove negligence in a personal injury case. Your attorney will demonstrate evidence that the property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the hazard and didn’t do anything about it. From here, your attorney must prove that as a result of the property owner’s negligence, you were seriously injured and incurred significant damages. It is important to preserve evidence yourself or contact an attorney that can send someone to the scene and act in your stead. Always get medical attention first. Take pictures and talk to witnesses after and only if you are able.

Recovering Compensation

If your legal action is successful and your case is sound, you could be entitled to a range of damages, monetary compensation for your injuries. These economic and non-economic damages can include:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future wages
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional turmoil

Statute of Limitations in New Jersey

As you may know, every state has a statute of limitations in place when it comes to personal injury claims. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is, under most circumstances, two years, which means that, generally, you must take legal action against the liable sidewalk owner within two years of the date of your accident. That being said, if you were injured in an accident on a property that is owned by a municipality, you will have far less time to sue the municipality responsible for your injuries. In this case, if you fail to contact an attorney to file a Notice of Claim against the municipality within 90 days of the accident, you will relinquish your right to sue the municipality for compensation. Our firm is ready to assist you through every step of the claims process today.

Contact an experienced New Jersey sidewalk slip and fall attorney

If you have been injured on a sidewalk and your injury is serious, you may need to take legal action to mitigate the impact of the accident on your future. While many people will wait to see if their injuries heal on their own, it is in your best interest to be proactive and speak with our firm sooner, rather than later. Stathis & Leonardis has helped countless individuals who’ve been injured due to no fault of their own for years, and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you. We are ready to investigate the matter, educate you on your legal options, and take the necessary steps to protect your rights and future. For a consultation with our firm, contact Stathis & Leonardis.

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