After a slip and fall accident, many people are left wondering what steps to take and what evidence is needed to support their claim. New Jersey law places the burden on the injured party to prove that the property owner was negligent. This means that the evidence you gather can directly influence your ability to recover compensation for your slip and fall. Continue reading for more information and contact a knowledgeable Bergen County slip & fall lawyer to discuss your case with a reputable legal professional today.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Fall?
Victims of a slip and fall accident in New Jersey may be entitled to seek various types of financial compensation, or damages, to cover their losses. One category of compensation is economic damages, which cover monetary losses. This includes all accident-related medical expenses, such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medication costs, and future medical needs.
Economic damages also cover lost wages and loss of earning capacity. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for the income you have lost to date, as well as any future income you are expected to lose due to a long-term or permanent disability.
You may also be entitled to non-economic damages, which compensate for intangible losses resulting from the injury. This includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on a spousal or familial relationship), among other things.
What Evidence Can Help Recover Compensation After an NJ Slip and Fall?
The damages you incur after a slip and fall accident can be substantial, so understanding the evidence required to prove the defendant’s fault is imperative. Below are some of the most important types of evidence that can help establish the property owner’s negligence.
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene that provide proof of the hazardous condition that caused the fall.
- Accident reports or incident reports that detail the immediate aftermath of the incident
- Witness statements from individuals who can offer an unbiased account of the events leading up to or following the fall
- Medical records documenting how your injuries are directly linked to the accident
- Maintenance and inspection records demonstrating whether the property owner failed to follow proper safety procedures
- Video surveillance footage offering a view of the fall and the surrounding conditions
- Testimony from expert witnesses who can provide specialized opinions on negligence or the extent of injuries
Any information that offers an objective evaluation of the property owner’s negligence, the hazardous condition, and the damages that you sustained can be effective in a slip and fall case. Personal injury law can be complex, so it is highly recommended that you secure the help of a skilled legal professional. Contact Feitlin, Youngman, Karas & Gerson, LLC today to set up your free consultation.
