Red Bank Slip and Fall Lawyer
Case results
$3,500,000 FIRE FATALITY
$2,500,000 PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT
$1,900,000 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
$1,137,500 WRONGFUL DEATH
$750,000 AUTO FATALITY
$3,500,000 FIRE FATALITY
$2,500,000 PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT
$1,900,000 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
$1,137,500 WRONGFUL DEATH
$750,000 AUTO FATALITY
Slip and Fall
chamlin uliano & Walsh
Finding the right Red Bank slip and fall lawyer is the first step toward getting your life back on track after a painful accident. When you trip on a broken sidewalk or slip on a wet grocery store floor, the impact changes everything in a second. One moment you are walking. The next, you are on the ground. You might be dealing with a broken hip, a head injury, or a back problem that keeps you from playing with your kids or going to work. We understand that this is a scary time for your family. You are worried about how to pay for the hospital. You wonder who will cover your lost paychecks. Our team at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh is here to help you understand your rights and hold the right people responsible for what happened to you.
What Are Slip and Fall Cases?
A slip and fall case is a type of legal claim called premises liability. This just means that the person in charge of a building or a piece of land has a job to keep it safe for people who come onto the property. If they know about a danger and do nothing to fix it, they are being negligent. There is a big difference between a simple accident and a legal case. For us to help you win a claim, we have to show that the property owner did not take care of their space the way they should have.
A slip usually happens when there is not enough friction between your shoe and the floor. This often happens because of water, oil, or wax. A trip happens when your foot hits something that should not be there, like a box in a hallway or a bump in the rug. Both of these can lead to a hard fall. The impact of hitting the ground is what causes the most damage to your body. We look at every detail of your fall to see if the owner followed the safety rules.
How Do Slip and Fall Cases Work?
These cases start by looking at the facts. We need to prove that another party is responsible for your accident because they were careless. We also have to show how much your injuries hurt your life so we can figure out how much money you should get. Our team spends a lot of time gathering proof. We look for photos, witness stories, and medical records.
We also look for security video. Many stores have cameras, but they delete the video quickly. We act fast to tell them they must save that footage. We also look at maintenance logs. These papers show when a floor was last cleaned. If a store has no record of checking the floor for hours, it helps us show they were not doing their job. We want to make this process easy for you so you can focus on getting better.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Slip and Fall Injuries in NJ?
Figuring out who to sue can be confusing. It is not always the person who owns the building. Sometimes it is a company that manages the property or a maintenance crew that was supposed to clean the floors. We look at who was in charge of the area where you fell. The list of people who could be at fault includes:
- Private homeowners and landlords.
- Big retail stores and supermarkets.
- Restaurant owners and managers.
- Maintenance companies and cleaning crews.
- Government groups if you fell on a public sidewalk or in a park.
The type of person or company we sue changes how we handle the case. Some groups have different rules for how long we have to tell them about the claim. We look at every detail to make sure we are talking to the right people.
Slip and Fall Negligence & Duty of Care
In New Jersey, anyone responsible for a property has a duty of care. This means they must keep the place reasonably safe for everyone who visits. When a danger pops up, like a spill or a broken step, the owner must fix it fast. If they cannot fix it right away, they have to put up a warning sign or block the area.
If they fail to do these things, they are being negligent. We have to show that the owner knew about the hazard or should have known about it. For example, if a roof has been leaking for a week and they never put a bucket under it, they are at fault. We use evidence to show that they did not live up to their duty to keep you safe.
Who Pays for a Slip and Fall?
You might worry about suing a small shop or a neighbor. Most of the time, the money does not come from their pocket. It comes from an insurance policy. Businesses and homeowners carry liability insurance for this exact reason. This insurance is there to help people who get hurt on the property.
The insurance company has a limit on how much they will pay based on the contract they signed with the owner. We talk to the insurance adjusters for you. They often try to pay as little as possible. Our job is to make sure they pay the full amount you need for your bills and your pain. We know the tricks they use and we know how to fight back.
Are Slip and Fall Cases Hard to Win?
These cases can be harder than they look. Many people think that because they fell, they automatically win. That is not true. You have to have strong proof. The other side will often try to blame you. They might say you were not looking where you were going or that your shoes were the problem.
Insurance companies are very good at trying to hold onto their money. They might try to say your injuries were already there before you fell. This is why having a team with 80 years of experience matters. We have seen every defense they use. We know how to build a case that is hard to argue with. It is not easy, but we work hard to make it feel easy for you.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
We see many different ways people get hurt in Red Bank. Many falls happen because someone did not fix a small problem before it got big. Some of the most common hazards include:
- Uneven pavement or cracked sidewalks.
- Wet floors inside a store or icy walkways outside.
- Poor lighting in a stairwell or parking lot.
- Rugs that are loose or have curled-up corners.
- Trash, boxes, or cables left in the middle of a hallway.
- Stairs that are broken or missing a handrail.
Weather is also a big deal in New Jersey. From December to April, snow and ice make the ground very dangerous. Local rules say owners must clear snow quickly. If they do not, and you slip on ice, they are often responsible.
Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Falls are a leading cause of hospital visits. Over eight million people end up in the emergency room every year because of a fall. The impact of hitting a hard floor can break bones or damage your brain. We often see injuries like:
- Broken wrists, arms, and hips.
- Torn ligaments in the knees or shoulders.
- Back injuries like herniated discs.
- Head injuries and concussions.
- Nerve damage that causes numbness or pain.
Some of these injuries do not show up on an X-ray. Soft tissue damage can cause pain for years. We make sure you see the right doctors to find every injury caused by the fall. We want to be sure we are asking for enough money to cover all your medical care.
How Much is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Every case has a different value. We cannot give you a number without looking at your specific details. We look at how much you spent on doctors and how much pay you lost at work. We also look at your pain and suffering. This is about how the injury changed your life.
If you can no longer walk your dog or play with your kids, that has value. If you have scars or a permanent limp, that is worth more. We also look at the insurance policy limits. Our goal is to create a list of all your damages so we can fight for the highest settlement possible. We want to make sure your family is taken care of.
Statute For Slip and Falls in New Jersey?
Time is very important in these cases. In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the day you fell to file a lawsuit. This is the statute of limitations. If you wait one day too long, you cannot get any money. Two years might seem like a long time, but it goes fast.
The clock ticks even faster if you fell on government land. For towns or counties, you might only have 90 days to tell them you are filing a claim. This is why you should call us as soon as you can. We need to start looking for evidence before it disappears. We want to make sure every deadline is met so your case stays on track.
Contact Our Red Bank Slip and Fall Attorneys Today
If you are hurting, do not wait. You can call Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh at (732) 229-3200 to talk about your fall. We offer a free review of your case. You do not have to pay us anything unless we win money for you. This is called a contingency fee. It means anyone can afford a great lawyer.
We are local and we care about our neighbors. We will listen to your story and give you an honest answer about what to do next. Let us handle the legal stress while you work on getting healthy. We have helped thousands of people get justice, and we are ready to help you too.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Slip and Falls
Do I have a case if there was no “Wet Floor” sign? Yes, you often do. If a store knew the floor was wet and did not put up a sign or clean it, they were likely negligent.
What if I am partly to blame for my fall? In New Jersey, you can still get money as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your total money might be lowered by your percentage of fault.
Should I talk to the insurance company after I fall? It is best to talk to us first. Insurance adjusters might try to get you to say something that hurts your case. We handle those calls for you.
How long does a slip and fall case take? Some cases settle in a few months. Others might take a year or more if they go to court. We work as fast as we can while still making sure you get the full amount you deserve.