According to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, unintentional falls are the most common cause of injury among those who are hospitalized and survive their injuries.
The data, which shows the top causes of injury-related hospital visits from 2009 through 2011, shows that falls resulted in over 90,000 hospitalizations during that period. There are many contributing factors that lead to slips and falls. Some falls are the result of clumsiness, weakness, or inattention. Many falls, however, are preventable incidents caused by the negligence or actions of someone other than the victim.
Falls caused by negligence can occur in a variety of settings. Apartment buildings, parking lots, and stores are all places where people are routinely hurt due to property owners failing to remove hazards. Conditions that commonly lead to preventable falls include:
- Wet floors and spills
- Icy stairs and walkways
- Broken railings
- Items left on the floor
- Torn carpeting or lose tiles
- Holes
Commercial property managers and store owners should immediately address any hazards that make their property dangerous for visitors. When conditions cannot be remedied right away, warnings should be put in place to help prevent injury. Under New York law, the failure of a property owner to fix a hazard or warn of a dangerous condition may be considered negligence.
Pursuing compensation after an injury
When an injury is caused by the negligence or actions of another person or entity, the victim is often able to recover compensation for their medical expenses, their pain and suffering, their lost wages, and other costs. This recovery can come in the form of a settlement or a court award after the victim has filed a personal injury claim in a New York City court. Injuries caused by falls may be compensable depending on their cause and other factors.
To learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit after any type of injury caused by negligence or an intentional act, meet with a knowledgeable New York accident attorney at Rubenstein & Rynecki. Call us at (718) 522-1020 or contact us online to get started.
