Trip and fall incidents typically happen unexpectedly and can lead to major setbacks for victims. This includes not only physical setbacks but also financial setbacks caused by medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. At Towey Law, PLLC, we are here to help if you need a Buffalo trip and fall attorney by your side. Our Buffalo injury lawyers have extensive experience handling complex injury claims. They can investigate your case and work to help you recover the compensation you need to get through this.
Why Choose Towey Law, PLLC for Help?
- At Towey Law, PLLC, we have decades of experience helping individuals recover the compensation they need to get through an injury and back on their feet.
- Our clients remain our top priority with every single case. You will always have access to your attorney to ask any questions that come up as your case moves forward.
- Our team is not afraid to go to trial. In the event the other party refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will move forward to help ensure you are treated fairly.
Common Causes of Trip and Fall Accidents
Trip and fall incidents are often caused by the same types of negligence that lead to Buffalo slip and fall accidents, but there are some differences. Some of the most common causes of trip and fall accidents include:
- Unlit stairwells. Poorly lit staircases can lead to missteps and falls due to low visibility.
- Construction site defects. Areas under construction can have uneven surfaces, debris, or unmarked obstacles that pose tripping hazards.
- Wet floors. Inside buildings, wet floors from cleaning or outside elements being tracked in can cause slips and falls.
- Spilled substances. Similar to wet floors, any liquid spills can create slippery surfaces, leading to falls.
- Icy pathways. Buffalo’s snowy and icy conditions in winter significantly increase the risk of slips and falls outdoors.
- Crumbling or uneven sidewalks. Poorly maintained sidewalks with cracks, gaps, or uneven surfaces can easily cause trip and fall accidents.
- Stairway accidents. Falls on staircases due to broken stairs, uneven steps, or lack of handrails are common causes of injuries.
- Parking ramp falls. Inclines and declines in parking ramps, especially if slippery or poorly maintained, can lead to falls.
- Sidewalk falls. Similar to icy pathways, general sidewalk falls can occur due to a variety of reasons, including poor maintenance or obstructions.
- Falls from heights. Such as falling from a ladder or other elevated surfaces, can occur in both occupational and non-occupational settings.
- Bathtub and shower falls. Slippery surfaces in bathtubs or showers can lead to falls, particularly in public or shared facilities.
- Debris. Objects or trash left in walkways, especially in dimly lit areas, can cause people to trip and fall.
- Lack of Proper Maintenance. Not addressing known issues, such as broken stairs or handrails, can lead to accidents.
- Cluttered Spaces. Crowded or obstructed walkways in workplaces, public areas, or residences can be a significant trip hazard.
- Occupational Hazards. Specific work environments, like warehouses or construction sites, may have inherent risks for trips and falls.
The reality is that many trip and fall accidents in Buffalo occur due to defective property conditions and inadequate maintenance. Defective stairways can cause injuries, as can tripping over objects in pedestrian pathways. Property owners could certainly hold liability for these incidents.
Common Trip and Fall Injuries
Buffalo trip and fall accident victims could incur a wide range of injuries as a result of these incidents. Some of the most common injuries associated with a trip and fall include:
- Concussions or a more severe traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash or spinal cord trauma
- Soft tissue damage
- Severe sprains or strains
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
Trip and Fall Claims in Buffalo – Who Is Liable?
When examining liability for a trip and fall accident in Buffalo, we can see that an extensive investigation is needed to determine all possible liable parties. Depending on where a trip and fall incident occurs, determining liability can be challenging. For example, if a trip and fall incident happens outside of a business establishment on a sidewalk, an investigation could uncover multiple liable parties, including the owner of the store, a property owner who controls the sidewalk, or even a government municipal agency responsible for sidewalk maintenance.
When you work with an attorney for your trip and fall accident case in Buffalo, they will thoroughly investigate the claim and gather as much evidence as possible. The evidence should point to which party or parties to file a claim against in order to recover compensation. Ultimately, a jury may be responsible for determining who is liable and, if multiple parties are responsible, what percentage of liability each party has.
Compensation for a Buffalo Trip and Fall Injury
Trip and fall accident victims in Buffalo, New York, may be able to recover various types of compensation if their claim is successful. At Towey Law, PLLC, we strive to help individuals recover the compensation needed for them to become “whole,” or at least as close to their condition prior to the incident occurring. To do this, we like to help individuals recover economic and non-economic damages for their losses after a trip and fall incident:
Economic damages after a Buffalo trip and fall accident revolve around calculable expenses a victim will likely incur as a result of the injuries and the recovery process. These types of losses include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- All necessary ongoing medical care
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical devices
- Property damage expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
Non-economic damages for a trip and fall accident victim in Buffalo are not as easily measurable. These types of losses focus on a victim’s unseen injuries, such as physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as any loss of quality of life they endure. There are several accepted methods for calculating non-economic damages, and these are equally as important as the economic damages mentioned above.
Call a Trip and Fall Lawyer in Buffalo Today
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a trip and fall accident, reach out to the New York personal injury attorneys at Towey Law, PLLC for help today. We have extensive experience handling complex injury claims throughout this area, and we know what it takes to help clients recover compensation from aggressive insurance carriers and at-fault parties. When you need a Buffalo trip and fall attorney, you can reach out for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling us at 716-899-1605.