New Jersey Slip and Fall Attorneys

Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident in New Jersey? Call Arlen Law firm today for a free, confidential consultation.

A slip, trip, or fall can turn your life upside down. After an injury—at work, in a store, or on someone’s property—you need an experienced slip and fall accident attorney on your side. Studies show that having legal representation can make all the difference in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

As a slip and fall attorney practicing in New Jersey, I have handled slip and fall accidents resulting from all sorts of reasons: dangerous conditions at work, property owner negligence, poor lighting in a store, and more. Slip and fall accidents can happen in all kinds of places, and in all kinds of circumstances.

So just how serious, and how common, are slip and fall injuries? By the numbers…

• Slip and falls account for over 1 million hospital visits each year (National Floor Safety Institute).
• 22% of slip/fall incidents resulted in more than a month away from work (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• 85% of worker’s compensation claims are attributed to employees slipping on slick floors (Industrial Safety & Occupational Health Markets 5th edition).
• Compensation & medical costs associated with employee slip/fall accidents is approximately $70 billion annually (National Safety Council Injury Facts).

Who is liable in a slip and fall accident?

Property managers, landowners, contractors, maintenance crews, and/or manufacturers may be liable in a slip and fall accident. Given the complexity of these cases, it is best to follow up with an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer to evaluate your claim.

The legal thresholds for slip and fall cases differ from city to city, and from state to state; that’s why it is important to have an experienced New Jersey slip and fall attorney at your side

Identifying All Liable Parties in a Slip-and-Fall Accident

Determining liability in a slip and fall case is a complicated process. While this page is meant to be a general overview of terms and concepts, it is no substitute for legal advice. Make sure to speak with one of our slip and fall attorneys in New Jersey. We handle these cases regularly, and can help you identify, and file claims against, any and all liable parties.

Property owners owe what is called a “duty of care” to all visitors. Duty of care simply means that property owners have a responsibility to keep all visitors safe from hazards. The level of care a property owner owes a visitor depends on the type of visitor: 

1. Invitee. An invitee is someone invited onto the property for business purposes, like a customer.
2. Licensee. A licensee is someone on the property with the owner’s consent, like a friend, relative or other social guest.
3. Trespasser. A trespasser is someone who does not have the owner’s permission to be on the property. 

Talk to a New Jersey slip and fall attorney to learn more about the duty of care that may apply in your case.

Where do slip and fall accidents happen?

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere: parking lots, sidewalks, hotels, grocery stores, parks, gyms, escalators, work sites, stairs, shopping malls, apartment complexes, movie theaters, airports, and more. Common causes include:

• Wet, icy, or slippery floors
• Unmarked changes in flooring levels
• Poor lighting
• Uneven walkways
• Cluttered walkways
• Damaged flooring
• Uneven stair placement
• Absent or insufficient stair railings 
• Tripping hazards, such as electrical wiring, frayed carpet, boxes or clutter

Hazardous conditions like those listed above are often the liability of property owners and managers. When they negligently fail to address these dangers, they must be held accountable for any injuries that occur. You have a valid slip and fall claim for damages when your accident occurs on someone else’s property, and is due to negligence. 

The experienced slip and fall lawyers at Arlen Law Firm are dedicated to helping slip and fall victims recover—physically, emotionally and financially—from these tragic and serious cases. We handle every aspect of your claim, from collecting medical records and communicating with insurance companies to representing you in pre-trial and court proceedings. Call us today for a free claim consultation.

What are the most common slip and fall accident injuries?

Injury type and severity is very case-specific, but many slip and fall injuries can be severe. Slip and fall accidents comprise more than a million hospital visits each year, and many injured people require significant medical care and a long recovery period. 

Common slip and fall injuries include, but are not limited to

• Wrongful death
• Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Wrist and hip fractures
• Broken bones, including arms and legs
• Neurological damages from electrocution
• Electrocution burns
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
• Ankle and foot sprains’

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Many other medical conditions, both acute and chronic, can develop after a slip and fall injury.

A Note from Geoffrey Arlen, Senior Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer:

As a native New Jerseyan, I am dedicated to being a fierce advocate for injured victims here in my home state. I pride myself on offering personal attention and compassion to all my clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in a preventable fall accident, don’t delay: reach out for a free consultation regarding your rights. 

A Short Overview of New Jersey Slip and Fall Laws 

Slip and fall laws vary by state, and New Jersey slip and fall laws require understanding some nuance in how the law may apply to your case. As with any civil case, before you can collect compensation for your injuries, you must first prove that the defendant was negligent. That requires you to prove that:

• The defendant owed you a legal duty (“duty of care”);
• The defendant breached that duty through negligence or malice;
• Your injury or injuries resulted from this breach of duty; and that
• You suffered damages as a result of the defendants’ breach of duty. 

Your New Jersey slip and fall accident lawyer is responsible for moving the case from intake to resolution. The stages in the process are:

1. Conducting an Investigation: Our team compiles evidence from the accident, updates contact information for all parties, interviews witnesses, obtains medical reports, utilizes expert opinions to build the strongest case possible.
2. Determining Liability: Multiple parties—landowners, contractors, maintenance crews, or manufacturers—may share liability in your slip and fall claim. We make sure to follow up with every possible lead.
3. Calculating Losses: Slip and fall accidents often require bed rest, a reduction in working hours, and/or ongoing medical care. You may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, loss of companionship and more.
4. Negotiating a Settlement: We always try to settle slip and fall cases out of court first. We bring multiple years of experience to maximize claim value in negotiations and avoid prolonged litigation.
5. Preparing for Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to try your case before a jury. Our skilled trial attorneys have a proven track record of success.

Comparative Negligence in New Jersey Slip and Fall Cases

New Jersey has what’s called “comparative negligence”. This means that you don’t have to prove that the defendant was 100% at fault, and you can still receive compensation even if you’re partially responsible. However, your settlement amount is reduced by your own percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 25% liable, you would only receive up to 75% of your damages. 

What are some common arguments you may hear from the property owner?

• “The condition of the property should have been obvious to you.”
• “The property was cordoned off by cones and signage.”
• “You weren’t paying enough attention.”
• “You were wearing inappropriate or insufficient footwear for the space.”

As long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault for the slip and fall event, you can recover damages for your injuries but at a reduced amount based upon your percentage of fault. If you’re making a claim against a property owner for your New Jersey slip and fall case, be prepared to hear the defense argue that you bear some responsibility for what happened.

Statute of Limitations in New Jersey Slip and Fall Cases

Another important law that will come into play with your New Jersey slip and fall case is the state’s statute of limitations. This law defines how much time you have to file your lawsuit after the inciting event.

How long do I have to file my New Jersey slip and fall case?

In most slip-and-fall cases, you only have two years from the date of the accident, to file a lawsuit against the defendants. Per New Jersey Statutes section 2A:14-2: “Every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.” 

Attorney tip: Don’t procrastinate! File your New Jersey slip and fall claim as soon after the accident as possible.

Two years might seem like plenty of time, but you may be surprised how quickly time can run out. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the deadline, New Jersey courts will be forced to dismiss your claim. 

Even if you’re confident that your case will settle, you should leave plenty of time to file your slip and fall lawsuit; having the option of going to court gives you more leverage during settlement talks. Speak with a slip and fall accident lawyer immediately, and give yourself the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve. 

In some rare exceptions, the statute of limitations clock may pause, or “toll”, but these are not common. If the injured person is under 18 at the time of the event, for instance, you usually have until they are 20 to file your slip and fall claim. If you are beyond the statute of limitations but still believe you have a slip and fall claim, call us today for a free consultation.

Recoverable Damages in New Jersey Slip and Fall Cases

“Damages” are any monetary compensation to which you may be entitled in your lawsuit. In general, New Jersey slip and fall plaintiffs can recover compensation for: 

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of consortium

… as well as incidental expenses related to your claim. The amount of compensation depends on the strength of your case, the evidence presented, and the skill level of your lawyer.

Consult a New Jersey slip and fall lawyer to learn more about what damages may be recoverable in your case.