The sound of keys hitting the floor. The split-second realization that your foot has caught on something. The jarring impact as your body connects with the ground. In just moments, a fall can change everything.
You may have slipped on a wet floor at the grocery store in Manhattan, tripped on the broken pavement outside your Newark apartment building, or fallen from scaffolding at a Brooklyn construction site. No matter the circumstances, serious falls often lead to painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income while you recover.
In some cases, falls could have been prevented. Property owners, employers, and businesses in New York and New Jersey have legal responsibilities to maintain safe environments. When they fail to meet these obligations, innocent people suffer.
At Hofmann & Schweitzer, our fall injury lawyers have fought for victims' rights across New York and New Jersey for over 40 years. We understand the challenges you face and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need while you focus on healing.
Types of Fall Cases We Handle
Our New Jersey and New York fall lawyers represent victims injured in various fall accidents. With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, we understand how to investigate different types of falls and build strong cases for compensation after:
- Slip and fall accidents. These occur when someone slips on a wet or slippery surface, like freshly mopped floors, icy walkways, spilled liquids, or a boat deck. We help victims hold property owners accountable for failing to address these hazards or provide adequate warnings.
- Trip and fall incidents. Trips and falls happen when someone trips over obstacles like uneven flooring, torn carpeting, poor lighting conditions, or objects left in walkways. Our attorneys know how to document these conditions to establish liability.
- Falls from heights. Construction workers, window washers, and others who work at elevations face serious risks. Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or other heights often cause catastrophic injuries. We help these workers pursue compensation through workers' compensation and third-party liability claims.
- Stairway accidents. Broken steps, missing handrails, poor lighting, and other stairway defects can cause serious falls. Our lawyers investigate these cases thoroughly to identify all responsible parties.
Each fall case has unique circumstances, but if someone's negligence contributed to your injuries, our fall injury attorneys will work to hold these parties accountable.
Common Fall Injuries
Falls can cause a wide range of injuries that may significantly impact your life, including:
- Fractures and broken bones. Wrists, arms, ankles, and hips commonly break during falls as people instinctively try to catch themselves. These injuries often require surgery, casting, and extended physical therapy.
- Traumatic brain injuries. When a person's head strikes the ground or another object during a fall, it can cause concussions or more serious brain trauma. These injuries may lead to cognitive issues, memory problems, and personality changes.
- Spinal cord damage. Falls, especially from heights, can cause vertebrae fractures, herniated discs, or even paralysis. These back injuries often result in permanent disability and lifelong medical needs.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in falls. While less visible than other injuries, they can cause significant pain and limited mobility.
The impact of these injuries extends far beyond physical pain. Many fall victims face financial hardship due to medical bills and lost income. Some can't return to their previous jobs or enjoy activities they once loved. At Hofmann & Schweitzer, we fight for compensation that addresses all these losses.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you've been injured in a fall accident, taking the right steps immediately afterward can protect your physical recovery and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, some conditions like concussions or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away. A medical evaluation creates documentation of your injuries that's crucial for your claim.
- Report the incident. Notify the property owner, manager, or supervisor about your fall. Make sure they create a written incident report and request a copy for your records.
- Document everything. Take photos of the hazardous condition that caused your fall, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Avoid making statements. Don't post about your accident on social media, and be cautious about speaking with insurance adjusters.
- Contact our New York and New Jersey fall lawyers. The sooner you involve an experienced attorney, the better your chances of building a strong case. At Hofmann & Schweitzer, we immediately begin investigating and preserving crucial evidence that might otherwise disappear.
Taking these steps can strengthen your fall injury claim and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
New York and New Jersey Laws That May Impact Your Fall Recovery
After a fall injury, our fall injury lawyers consider all of the laws that could affect your claim and financial recovery, including:
- Premises liability laws. These laws hold property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions. However, your legal status on the property (invitee, licensee, or trespasser) can affect your claim.
- Comparative negligence. Both New York and New Jersey follow comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you're found partially responsible for your fall. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% threshold.
- Statute of limitations. In New York, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a fall. New Jersey typically allows two years. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation.
- Special rules for municipal property. Falls on government property involve additional requirements, including shorter notice periods and special filing procedures.
Our fall injury attorneys navigate these legal requirements to build the strongest possible case for you.
Why Choose Hofmann & Schweitzer for Your Fall Injury Case
When selecting a fall lawyer in New York or New Jersey, experience and dedication matter. Our legal team offers:
- Over 40 years of experience. Our attorneys have helped people who suffered personal injuries in New York and New Jersey secure the compensation they deserve.
- Personal attention. We provide individualized service to every client. Our attorneys personally visit accident sites to develop a thorough understanding of what happened and who should be held responsible.
- Proven results. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims through settlements and verdicts.
- No upfront costs. We handle fall injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
With decades of proven success and a commitment to hands-on, personalized representation, Hofmann & Schweitzer is a trusted choice for fall injury victims in New York and New Jersey.
Some of our fall accident injury cases have included:
- $3 million for a Tappan Zee Bridge crane operator who slipped, fell, and suffered life-changing back injuries
- $2.25 million settlement for a cruise ship’s 2nd mate who fell 70 feet down an unguarded shaft and suffered skull, face, knee, and foot fractures
- $2.2 million settlement for a client who fell from a building and suffered serious injuries
- $735,000 for a dock builder hurt in a slip and fall
- $115,00 and a reduced workers’ compensation lien for a safety inspector who fell on the job and suffered a fractured rib, hernia, and sprained ankle
Possible Damages After a Fall Accident
Victims of fall accidents in New York and New Jersey may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of their case. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Any other losses you suffer because of your fall injuries
At Hofmann & Schweitzer, we work diligently to identify all possible damages in your case and fight for maximum compensation.
