We Can Help You Seek Compensation After An Injury On Dangerous Private Property

Slipping and falling is an accident that any of us could experience. Thankfully, most of these cases prove to be more embarrassing than injurious. However, some slip-and-fall accidents can result in serious and life-changing injuries. When that happens, it is important to determine whether the accident could have been predicted and prevented by the property’s owner.

At VanDette Law PLLC, we help slip-and-fall victims seek appropriate compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other consequences stemming from the accident. If you’ve been seriously injured, it is important to protect your rights and to discuss your legal options with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney like those at our firm.

Was The Accident Predictable And Preventable?

Below are three common examples of slip-and-fall accident scenarios that could lead to a premises liability lawsuit:

• Slipping on a freshly mopped floor at a restaurant because the staff did not display a “caution” sign
• Slipping and falling in a parking lot or on a sidewalk because the property owner failed to shovel snow and apply salt in a timely manner
• Slipping in a grocery store because of a refrigerator that store owners knew was malfunctioning and leaking water

Slip-and-fall accidents are part of a subset of personal injury law known as premises liability. These claims are based on the principle that property owners in New York have a duty to ensure that their property is reasonably safe for visitors and guests. To that end, they need to regularly inspect the property for hazards and either correct them in a timely manner or warn guests to avoid them.

Proving Negligence After A Slip-And-Fall Accident

In order to prove negligence in a slip-and-fall lawsuit, you would need to prove three elements. First, that the property owner owed you (and other guests) a duty of care. Second, you would need to prove that the property owner/manager breached that duty of care. And third, you would need to show that the hazard or dangerous condition on the property caused your injuries.

Showing that the property owner breached a duty of care is often the most difficult of these three elements to prove, which is why it’s important to work with a skilled attorney. You would generally need to show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard/condition, had adequate time to address it (or to at least warn visitors about it) yet failed to do so.

Learn About Your Legal Options For Free

VanDette Law offers free initial consultations to prospective clients throughout western New York. To speak with one of our skilled attorneys about your legal options, call us in Buffalo at CALL or fill out our online contact form.