Buffalo Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer

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 explain your rights and fight for compensation. We have 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 at (716) 222 2222 to schedule a free consultation with a Buffalo slip and fall accident attorney.

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

How O’Brien & Ford, PC, 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’s property. This means taking every step to maximize your 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.

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents In Buffalo?

Slip and fall accidents are very common across the United States. This includes 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 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 will calculate your case value at the beginning of the representation. This calculation will help 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 so that you can 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 the cost of increased childcare, 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. 

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 talk about the contingency fee with your lawyer at the beginning of the case. Make sure that you fully understand the arrangement so that there are no surprises. 

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

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

You can recover compensation as long as 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 so that you can maximize your recovery later. 

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. There is no case too big or too small for our lawyers to handle.

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, because of the winter weather in Buffalo, snow and ice also contribute to numerous falls every year. 

Many slip 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.

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

New York property owners must make sure that their property is reasonably safe for visitors and guests. This includes making sure 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.

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. 

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

There’s no reason to delay getting a lawyer involved early on 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 al throughout Erie County and surrounding areas.

Our Personal Injury law firm in Buffalo also provides:

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

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