Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. This can even include while using a staircase. These accidents usually occur very fast and without warning, causing serious injuries in the process. Often times, this causes significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. It is because of this that the injured parties in these situations wish to recover compensation for these damages. When facing these situations, it is important to retain the services of an experienced New York personal injury attorney for assistance with your case.
Causes of Staircase Accidents
Accidents that take place in a staircase can sometimes be due to the injured party’s own carelessness. This is often the case if they are rushing and fail to use caution, leading to a fall. However, many of these accidents are the result of the property owner’s negligence. In the event that a property owner fails to take care of their stairs, certain dangers can arise that pose a threat to those who use them. This can include but is not limited to:
- Insufficient lighting
- Broken railings
- Damaged steps
Recovering Financial Compensation After a Staircase Accident
After a staircase accident takes place due to negligence, victims often want to seek justice for their suffering. This can be done by pursuing legal action through a personal injury lawsuit. It is important to know that, during this time, the injured party is required to prove negligence in order to be successful. This requires them to show the property owner knew, or should have reasonably known about the hazard and failed to rectify the situation. In addition to this, it must be shown that this negligent behavior directly caused their injuries. This must be done with evidence such as pictures or videos of the hazard, a police report of the incident, medical documentation of the injuries, and any witness statements.
How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action?
When pursuing legal action, it is important to not wait too long to do so. This is because there is a statute of limitations in place regarding personal injury accidents. Simply put, this is a deadline that the injured party is required to meet when filing a personal injury claim. If they do not meet this deadline, the individual may give up their right to legal action and be unable to recover compensation as a result. In the state of New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the injury.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. We understand the implications of a serious accident, which is why we take pride in tenaciously representing our clients. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
