Slip and Fall Lawyer Buffalo, NY 
A slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY residents trust from Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP is prepared to help victims of those who were involved in a fall accident and need help. While some people may feel compelled to laugh when they see someone take a tumble, we don’t think it’s a joke at all. It’s not funny, and the body can sustain serious injuries that require medical care right away. Statistically, almost 9 million people who go into the emergency room are there because of slip, trip, and fall injuries.
These aren’t incidents to take lightly, and we can help you identify why the event happened in the first place. After your slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY clients rely on performs an investigation into the accident, he or she may conclude that the property manager, worker, manufacturer, or other entity was at least partially responsible for your injuries. The party may owe you compensation for medical bills and other losses you endured due to their mistake or negligence.
Examples of Slip and Fall Scenarios
Slip and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere, anytime, and place. Things like a slippery wet floor, uneven sidewalk cracks, or cluttered shopping isles can turn into hazards that put people in danger of slipping and falling. If you or someone you love was in an accident like this and suffered physical injury, then a slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY clients can depend on is likely to suggest seeking representation from a member of our law firm at Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP. Here are just a few examples of slip and fall scenarios that can unfold unexpectedly:
- Snow or ice on the ground
- Grease or overly polished floors
- Loose flooring or curled carpeting
- Unnecessary clutter
- Uneven walking surfaces (indoor and outdoor)
- Messy electrical cords
- Open filing cabinets or drawers
Areas where slip and fall accidents tend to happen the most frequently are on stairways, curbs, lawns, ladders, sidewalks, doorways, escalators, driveways, parking lots, and other areas where there is a quick change in elevation. If you aren’t sure whether your slip and fall accident constitutes an official lawsuit, a slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY clients trust can offer insight.
Determining Who Is Liable
In general, there are three factors that have to be present in your slip and fall accident case and proved through reliable evidence in order to have a successful outcome. Firstly, it must be shown that the party had an obligation to the victim. Secondly, it has to be proven that the party had failed to fulfill that obligation. Then lastly, the victim has to show that they were injured due to the error or negligence. For example, a property owner may have failed to fix a set of stairs at the entrance of a building, and because of it a visitor fell on a broken stair, resulting in injuries and other losses that have to be compensated for.
Contact a slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY families turn to from Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP for more information about how we can be of support in your accident lawsuit.
Are Older People More at Risk for Slip and Fall Accidents?
As a Buffalo, NY slip and fall lawyer knows, slip and fall accidents are very common for older people. They are also one of the most dangerous. One of the reasons why these types of accidents are common for older people is because as people get older, their reflexes slow down, and it can be harder to maneuver around objects or areas where items may be out of place.
National statistics reveal that every 20 minutes, a victim dies from injuries they sustain in a fall. Over three million older people have to go to emergency rooms every year because they have suffered injuries in slip and fall accidents. More than 800,000 of those victims are admitted to the hospital because they have sustained such serious injuries.
One of the most troubling statistics that many people are not aware of is that one in four elderly people suffer at least one fall a year, but less than half of those victims share this information with their doctors. A slip and fall injury lawyer in Buffalo, NY is alarmed at this information since it also means that victims who do not seek medical help could be suffering serious injuries but are not getting any medical treatment for these injuries.
If you have an elderly loved one in your life and would like to help them minimize their risk of slip and fall accidents, a Buffalo, NY slip and fall accidents lawyer suggests that you ensure your loved one’s safety by inspecting their home to ensure there are no slip and fall hazards.
Take a good look around their living space to see if there are any dangers that could cause a slip and fall accident and serious injury for your loved one. Make sure there isn’t any clutter on floors or any pieces of furniture that may be awkwardly placed and could result in your elderly loved one to have a hard time maneuvering around it.
It is also important to make sure that all staircases have handrails and to periodically inspect these railing to make sure they are not loose, as well as check to make sure that there are not loose stairs or stair pads. Make sure that all of the areas of your loved one’s home is well lit. Consider using solar nightlights throughout the home, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, in case they need to get up during the night.
Also make sure to install grab bars on the toilet and tub to help keep your loved one from slipping and falling.
3 Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents happen every day, even when people do everything right to make their
environments safe. If someone neglected to create a safe environment for others, resulting in
your slip and fall injury, you may need to talk to a slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo, NY. Hurwitz,
Witcher, & Molloy LLP can go over some of the common injuries and how they can impact your
life down the road.
1. Breaks and Sprains
Slipping and falling can naturally result in breaks and sprains. While this may not seem like it'll be
a big deal far into the future, even sprains can have long-lasting health effects. Plus, a young
person can heal fairly quickly, but an elderly individual may take months or more. Injuries like
these can cause post-traumatic arthritis in injured joints. This means a small slip and fall now can
result in you needing surgery on your ankle down the road. These injuries can also keep you from
doing physical work and may keep you away from your job.
2. Neck and Back Injuries
Breaks and sprains are no fun, but neck and back injuries have the potential to be a little more
serious. Things like a slipped disc can cause severe chronic back pain. A break in the wrong
place can cause permanent paralysis. There may be neurological problems. All of these can
impact the rest of someone's life. Extensive treatment can be expensive and take a lot of time,
which is why it's so important to find a slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo, NY to help you work out the
damages you want to claim and the compensation you want to pursue.
3. Head Trauma
Head trauma has perhaps the greatest potential to completely alter someone's life. You don't
even need to hit your head on a hard surface to cause head trauma. Simply being jolted hard
enough can cause a brain injury. When you have a slip and fall accident, you shouldn't refuse
medical attention for this reason. When you break a bone, you know instantly. When you
experience head trauma, you don't always know how severe the damage is until later.
A slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo, NY knows just how varied the injuries from slip and fall scenarios
can be. When you sustain life-altering injuries from preventable falls, you deserve compensation.
Hurwitz, Witcher, & Molloy LLP can help you document your injuries and build up a case.
Contact Our Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP to speak with a slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY clients recommend and find out what legal recourse you may have for the injuries you have suffered.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
Getting into a slip and fall accident can leave you shocked and scared. However, the steps you take immediately after the accident will affect your ability to obtain fair compensation. Here are the steps a slip and fall lawyer Buffalo, NY residents trusts recommends taking:
- Report the Accident to the Owner or Manager: Businesses will require you to make an accident report as soon as possible. That’s why you should inform the premises owner or manager what happened immediately. Include important details about what happened, but don’t exaggerate. Making an official report is critical for filing an accident claim.
- Take Photos: If you’re physically able to, take photos of the accident scene with your smartphone camera. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Capture shots of the floor and everything around the area.
- Talk to Witnesses: If you can have other people back up your version of events, you will have a stronger claim. If you fell at a grocery store, for example, and there were other customers around, ask for their names and contact information. They may be able to testify on your behalf.
- Seek Medical Care: Even if you feel fine in the beginning, you should have a doctor check out your injuries right away. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, but can get worse without prompt treatment. Additionally, seeking medical care immediately will help prove that your injuries are serious and caused by the slip and fall accident. If you wait too long to seek medical care, the insurance company could argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you’re making them out to be. Remember to obtain copies of your medical records that you can give to your slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo, NY.
- Write in a Journal: It’s a good idea to write details about your slip and fall accident as soon as possible. As time goes on, memories fade. When you get home, jot down what you can remember in a journal, such as if there was liquid on the floor and if there were any warning signs.
- Don’t Provide a Statement to the Insurance Company: After your slip and fall accident, the premises owner’s insurance company will likely contact you and ask you for information. However, you should decline to give a statement. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and may try to use what you said against you later on.
- Hire a Lawyer: Slip and fall accidents are complex and can be difficult to prove, so it’s important to work with an experienced lawyer. A slip and fall lawyer in Buffalo, NY can help you build a strong claim and improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries.
