No individual should ever be afraid to go for a walk. It is an everyday activity that should never end with an injury. While it is important for people to be cautious of their surroundings, it is possible that an injury could occur at the fault of a property owner. When sidewalks are not maintained by those obligated to care for them, accidents can happen and people can seriously hurt themselves. This may result in serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, brain damage, spinal cord damage, and more. If this happens to you, it is important to seek legal representation to defend your case.
Examples of Sidewalk Accidents
There are several ways an individual could fall and be injured as they are walking down a sidewalk. Possible factors may include:
- Weather conditions such as snow, ice, water, etc.
- Damaged surface of the sidewalk
- Slippery substances
- Loose debris
- Hazardous materials
When you are injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. After this is done, it is important that an injury as a result of one of the above factors is addressed within a reasonable period of time. While it can be challenging to prove that dangerous conditions caused your injury, a skilled attorney can help with your case. In many regions, there are rules as to how long a property owner has to clean after inclement weather. These rules may change depending on where you are. In an injury took place during this window of time, it is possible the property owner will not be held responsible. This is because it was a risk for an individual to walk in the area during this time.
Liability
If you have been injured as a result of poor sidewalk conditions, you may wish to seek out the individual at fault for your accident. In the state of New York, the property owner is responsible for their own property, which includes the sidewalk adjacent to it. Those liable for poor sidewalk conditions may be private citizens, commercial property owners, and communities themselves.
Proving Negligence
While working with an attorney to uncover who is responsible for your injury, it is important to provide what is called the “burden of proof.” This requires evidence of negligence to be found in order to prove that the property owner is responsible for your injury. If a property owner is negligent, this means they knew about the condition of the sidewalk and did not do anything to fix it. Evidence to verify this may consist of a few things. All medical documentation of your injury as a result of the sidewalk may be a key piece of evidence. This can show the injury, when and where it happened. In addition to this, pictures of the damages and witnesses to the incident can be used as information.
Compensation for Injuries
If your case is proved to be successful, you may be able to receive monetary compensation due to your injury. This may include:
- Wages lost
- Loss of future wages
- Medical bills as a result of the injury
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Contact
If you have been injured in a sidewalk accident and wish to speak with an attorney about the best course of action for your incident, contact the Law Offices of George Poulos today.
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. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
