Buffalo Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer

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Were you hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in Buffalo, NY? If another party’s negligence caused the fall, you may have a legal right to payment. A Buffalo slip and fall accident lawyer at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you today. Call us at (716) 222 2222.

Our experienced legal team can explain your rights and fight for compensation. With 84 years of combined experience, our attorneys rely on that experience to provide our clients with the highest-quality representation in Buffalo, New York.

Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with our Buffalo personal injury attorneys.

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How Common Are Slips and Fall Accidents In Buffalo?

Slip-and-fall accidents are very common across the United States, including upstate New York and the Buffalo area. Unfortunately, falls can cause serious injuries. Many people are surprised when they suffer a significant injury after a fall.

Contrary to popular belief, slips and falls don’t just happen to the elderly. Anyone can unexpectedly fall if they are exposed to a dangerous condition on another person’s property. This can include children and even the most able-bodied adults.

What Causes Most Slip And Fall Accidents In Buffalo, NY?

Most slip and fall accidents in Buffalo, NY, are caused by:

Bad lighting
Uneven floors or sidewalks
Loose carpet or rugs
Broken stairs
Lack of guardrail
Spills or slippery surfaces
Potholes

Furthermore, snow and ice contribute to numerous falls yearly because of Buffalo’s winter weather.

Many slips and falls can be prevented with proper property maintenance or warning signs.

If you aren’t sure what caused your fall, a Buffalo slip-and-fall accident lawyer can investigate it for you. This investigation is a crucial part of proving your personal injury case.

Common Locations for Slip and Fall Incidents in Buffalo

Slip and fall injuries can happen anywhere, but some places in Buffalo have a greater likelihood of them occurring due to weather issues, traffic, and maintenance problems.

Sidewalks and Walkways:

Due to uneven pavement, cracks, ice, and snow, Buffalo’s long winters make maintaining sidewalks difficult. Property owners are supposed to remove the snow and ice, but taking too long can lead to nasty falls.

Retail Stores and Supermarkets:

Obstacles in the aisles and mopped floors lead to slips and falls in grocery stores and shopping centers, making them two of the most common places for accidents.

Workplaces:

Other hazards, such as poor lighting, unmarked hazards, and exposed materials, put construction sites and industrial areas at greater risk.

Residential Properties:

Visitors unfamiliar with the property are often at risk because of broken steps, dark entryways, and unshoveled driveways.

Addressing these sites can go a long way in reducing the likelihood of injuries and keeping the public safe.

How Weather Conditions Contribute to Slip and Fall Accidents

Buffalo winters bring heavy snow and ice, increasing the chances for slip-and-fall accidents. Slip and fall lawyers in Buffalo deal with cases involving snow and ice covering sidewalks, parking lots, or in front of building entrances, creating unsafe walking surfaces.

Property owners must clear these areas within a reasonable timeframe to avoid accidents and potential liability. Failure to salt ice properly or shovel snow increases the chances of pedestrians losing their balance and suffering severe injuries. Moreover, spontaneous temperature drops create black ice that is almost impossible to spot and highly dangerous.

The weather hazards have also contributed to making the winter months in Buffalo the peak times for slip-and-fall claims.

Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents can lead to various injuries, from mild to severe, depending on the impact and surface conditions. Some of the most common injuries include:

Fractures and Broken Bones: The most frequently affected areas are the wrists, hips, and ankles, as people instinctively try to break their fall. Older adults are at a higher risk for hip fractures, which can lead to long-term complications.
Head Injuries: Falls can result in concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially if the victim hits their head on a hard surface. These injuries may cause memory loss, dizziness, or long-term cognitive issues.
Spinal Cord Injuries: A fall down stairs or on a hard surface can damage the spine, leading to chronic pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis in severe cases.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Strains, sprains, and deep bruises may not seem serious initially but can lead to prolonged pain and mobility issues if left untreated.

Even minor falls can have long-lasting effects, making immediate medical evaluation essential.

Slip and fall lawyer, buffalo, NY

We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Slip And Fall Accident Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries and even death.

Some of the most common types of injuries are:

Back injuries
Brain injuries
Head injuries
Broken or fractured bones
Sprains and tears
Burns
Bruises and lacerations
Neck injuries
Paralysis
Nerve damage

O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get paid for any type of injury. No case is too big or too small for our lawyers to handle.

What Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Injury in Buffalo

Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by consulting a healthcare professional, even if injuries seem minor.
Document the Scene: Photograph the exact location, focusing on hazardous conditions like ice patches or wet floors.
Report the Incident: Notify the property owner or manager and ensure an official report is filed.
Collect Witness Information: Gather contact details from anyone who witnessed the fall.

Consult a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Buffalo: An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and help protect your rights.

How Do I Prove Negligence After A Slip And Fall Accident In New York?

New York property owners must ensure that their property is reasonably safe for visitors and guests. This includes ensuring that there are no hazards and warning of known dangers. A property owner is negligent when they fail to take reasonable steps to do this.

To prove negligence, you must provide evidence of the following:

The defendant owed you a duty of care
The defendant breached that duty of care
The breach caused the fall and your injuries
You suffered damages

In addition, property owners, property managers, tenants, or even maintenance companies may be held responsible for their negligence.

Proving negligence in a slip-and-fall case can be confusing. It is best to speak with a lawyer at the beginning of your case. An experienced attorney can help you build a strong case so that you quickly recover compensation for your losses.

Determining Liability in Slip and Fall Cases

Liability in slip and fall cases hinges on proving negligence:

Duty of Care: Property owners must maintain safe premises for visitors.
Breach of Duty: Failure to address known hazards or to provide adequate warnings constitutes a breach.
Causation: The breach directly led to the injury.
Damages: The victim suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses or lost wages.

In Buffalo, property owners are required to maintain their premises safely.

Who Pays for Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Pain and Suffering in a Slip and Fall Case?

In a slip-and-fall case, the property owner’s liability insurance typically covers the following:

Medical Expenses: Including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and related costs.
Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the injury.
Pain and Suffering: Monetary relief for physical pain and emotional distress.

However, if the victim is found partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced proportionally.

Navigating the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident in Buffalo requires awareness of local conditions, prompt action, and an understanding of legal rights. Consulting with a knowledgeable slip-and-fall lawyer in Buffalo is crucial to ensure proper guidance and to pursue rightful compensation.

What Is My Slip And Fall Accident Case Worth?

Your slip and fall accident case is worth the total of your damages. The value of your case will depend on the severity of the accident or your injuries.

Your case may be more valuable if:

Your injuries are permanent or disabling
You are unable to work or earn income as before the accident
You have a diminished quality or enjoyment of life
You have a lot of outstanding medical bills
You need ongoing medical treatment or physical therapy
You have emotional trauma caused by the accident

If you contributed to the fall or had a pre-existing injury that was aggravated by the fall, this may decrease the value of your case.

Our lawyers calculate your case value at the beginning of the representation. This calculation helps us identify lowball offers and maximize your compensation.

What Kind of Damages Are Available To Slip and Fall Accident Victims?

Slip and fall accident victims can ask for both economic damages and non-economic damages. In rare cases, a plaintiff may be entitled to punitive damages. It is helpful to keep a diary to accurately track your damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses. These losses happen as a direct result of the fall.

The most common economic damages are:

Medical bills
Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Lost wages (past and future)
Lost future earning capacity
Medical devices
Pharmaceuticals

Economic damages can also include out-of-pocket expenses. Examples include increased childcare costs, transportation to and from the doctor, or in-home care.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are all other types of losses. These are often intangible and emotional. They can be difficult to calculate but can make up a significant portion of your compensation.

Common types of non-economic damages are:

Physical pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of companionship
Permanent disfigurement or scarring

There are a few different ways to determine the value of your non-economic damages. The most common way is to multiply your economic losses by a number between 1-5 that represents the severity of your injury.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are different from economic and non-economic damages. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish a defendant for particularly bad or dangerous behavior. This type of damage is rare and should not be expected in every case.

Punitive damages are only available in cases where the defendant was so reckless that they showed a conscious disregard for others’ safety. There is no cap on the amount of punitive damages in New York.

Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Slip and Fall Accident In New York?

You can recover compensation if you are less than 100% responsible for causing the accident. However, blame may impact the amount of money that you can recover.

New York applies pure comparative negligence law. This means that the court will attribute a percentage of fault to each party. Your final damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 50% responsible for the slip and fall, you can recover 50% of your damages.

You must avoid blame from the beginning of the case to maximize your recovery later.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?

A Buffalo slip-and-fall accident lawyer doesn’t have to be expensive. Most lawyers charge a contingency fee.

A contingency fee is an arrangement where the lawyer takes a percentage of the damages at the end of the case. The lawyer’s payment is entirely contingent upon winning the case. If they lose, you aren’t responsible for paying them anything.

The fee is usually around 33%. However, it may be more or less depending on the type of work performed.

You will discuss the contingency fee with your lawyer at the beginning of the case. Ensure you fully understand the arrangement so there are no surprises.

Contingency fees make personal injury cases accessible to everyone. The plaintiff isn’t obligated to pay the lawyer out of pocket, which is significant since most personal injury victims are already struggling to pay for medical bills.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New York?

You have three years to bring a personal injury lawsuit after a slip and fall accident in New York. However, you only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit after the loss of a loved one. You will be barred from recovering damages if you fail to bring your claim before the statute of limitations expires.

How O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Slip And Fall Accident In Buffalo, NY

O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation after a slip and fall accident in Buffalo, New York. Our Buffalo slip and fall accident lawyers are experts in premises liability cases. In fact, our team has been named WNY Legal Elite and Top 50 Upstate New York Superlawyers.

When you hire our Buffalo personal injury attorneys to handle your slip and fall case, we will:

Investigate the cause of the fall
Identify the property owner
Calculate your damages
File insurance claims
Negotiate with insurance companies
Review your medical records
Consult with experts
File a personal injury lawsuit
Go to trial on your behalf

We aim to help our clients get justice after being hurt on another person’s property. This means taking every step to maximize their compensation.

Call our office to schedule a free consultation with a Buffalo slip and fall accident lawyer and learn more about our law firm today.

Contact Our Buffalo Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

There’s no reason to delay involving a lawyer early in your case. Call our Buffalo slip and fall accident lawyers at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for help.

We are available to schedule a free consultation where you’ll learn more about your legal rights in Buffalo, New York. We proudly serve all of Erie County and its surrounding areas.

Practice Areas We Manage in Buffalo, NY

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Buffalo, NY

O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
4549 Main St Suite 201 Buffalo, NY 14226
Phone: (716) 222-2222
Opening Hours: From 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
7 days a week

$2,400,000.00

Motor Vehicle/Car Crash

$2,000,000.00

Motor Vehicle/Tractor Trailer Crash

$4,560,000.00

Premises Liability