How to Handle a Serious Slip and Fall at a Friend’s House

How to Handle a Serious Slip and Fall at a Friend's HousePhoto by RDNE Stock project

A loose board on a staircase, a patch of ice on the front porch, or a spilled drink on the kitchen floor can all cause unintended accidents during a visit to a friend’s house. While minor injuries caused can be quickly handled, what if the injury is serious and you believe your friend was at fault? It can create an awkward situation–you don’t want to jeopardize your relationship with your friend, but you need to seek compensation in order to pay your medical bills. Below, I’ll give you tips for how to manage this tricky situation, and when a Northern New Jersey slip and fall attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help.

What are Common Causes of Serious Slip and Fall Accidents?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in five falls results in a serious injury.

When it comes to slips and falls, there are many culprits: narrow stairways, a lack of lighting, liquid on a floor, or torn-up carpeting are just a few common causes. Outdoor injuries are even more common: a cracked sidewalk or driveway, or rain, ice, or snow that create slippery conditions.

As summer approaches, be on the lookout for serious swimming pool accidents. Kids and adults commonly hit their heads on diving boards or slippery concrete, which can cause severe head, neck, and spinal injuries. Drowning is also of course a great cause of concern.

The property owner may manage to escape many of these accidents by virtue of being familiar with the property and all of its flaws. But for visitors, an unexpected loose board or crack that creates an uneven surface in the basement can mean real danger. A slip and fall accident can often result in severe injuries such as concussions and broken bones, and in these cases you may need the help of a Northern New Jersey slip and fall attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to recover.

When is my Friend Liable for My Injuries?

The first step after any accident is to determine whether or not your friend is responsible for your injuries. If they are, then you will feel more confident bringing the issue to their attention, and if they are not, you’ll avoid an uncomfortable situation.

The area of law surrounding slip and fall cases is known as “premises liability.” Who is responsible for an injury depends on whether the owner of the property did everything within reason to prevent a slip or fall from happening. Likewise, in some cases the person who sustained the fall is to blame, especially if they were acting carelessly or failed to avoid dangerous conditions that would have been obvious to most people.

For a property that is owned by a friend, you will need to prove that they were aware of the dangerous condition and failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent your injuries.

In order to prove this for premises liability claims, you will need to establish that:

  • The owner had knowledge of the condition that caused your injuries
  • The owner failed to fix the problem OR
  • The condition had existed for long enough that the owner should have noticed and fixed it.
  • That the condition directly caused your injuries.

Who is liable also depends on what type of property the accident occurs on. If you slip or fall in a home that your friend is renting, the landlord, rather than your friend, may be responsible. To prove it, you’ll need to establish that:

  • The landlord knew about the condition of the property
  • They landlord had access to the issue and could have fixed it
  • It was clear that an injury would happen if the condition failed to be repaired
  • The landlord did not take the necessary steps to prevent an accident on the property
  • The faulty condition caused your injuries

Some slip and fall cases are trickier than others, so if you are unsure about who is responsible for your injuries, it may be worth consulting with a Northern New Jersey slip and fall attorney. At Buttafuoco & Associates, we have handled many serious slip and fall injuries. We’re happy to answer questions about whether or not you have a premises liability lawsuit during a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.

Next Steps After an Injury

There are several steps that are essential to take after an injury that occurs on someone else’s property.

First, find out whether your friend has homeowner’s insurance.

Homeowners typically have this type of insurance to cover unexpected situations; in these cases, the insurance company will pay for your medical expenses. You will simply need to gather some information, including the insurer’s name and address as well as your friend’s policy number. If your friend rents the property, they will need to get in touch with the landlord to find out if they have insurance to cover the claim.
The other crucial action you’ll need to take is to document your injuries and the situation that caused them. Take clear photos, save your medical records and bills, and put the details of what happened in writing. If witnesses were present, gather their contact information in case you need it later.

When Do You Need a Slip and Fall Attorney in Northern New Jersey?

It’s easy to run into problems once you report a serious injury to an insurance company. Serious injuries in particular can be especially susceptible to denial because they result in expensive medical bills and insurers want to pay as little as possible to preserve their bottom lines. In this case, it can be useful to consult with an attorney who can help you negotiate, or who is willing to take on your personal injury claim to help you recover compensation.

At Buttafuoco & Associates, we have been successfully fighting premises liability lawsuits for victims’ in serious slip and fall cases for decades. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation. Call 1-800-NOW-HURT.

SHARE

Blog Archive

Archives