New Hampshire Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are so commonplace that they may not sound serious. Most of us have tripped on a step or slipped on an icy sidewalk. Often, the consequences are slight—we catch ourselves, or take a spill that results in nothing more than momentary pain or injured pride. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents can be much more serious. One moment, a slip and fall victim is walking up a sidewalk or down the aisle in a retail store, and the next he or she is seriously injured.

Falls are especially dangerous for those 65 and older: nationwide, emergency rooms treat about five older Americans for fall-related injuries every minute. About three older people die of injuries sustained in a fall every hour.

Slip and Fall / Trip and Fall Lawsuits

Slip and fall accidents happen in many different ways, sometimes through the victim’s own carelessness or inattention. However, slip and fall injuries often result from negligent property maintenance or inadequate warnings. Some common scenarios that lead to slip and fall lawsuits include:

• A property owner fails to clear or negligently clears ice and snow, leading to a third party falling on the property
• Stairs, walkways, and other walking surfaces are poorly maintained, causing someone to trip on broken concrete or an uneven surface
• A retail establishment such as a grocery store fails to clean up a spill, and a customer slips and falls on the wet surface
• A property owner or occupier mops or washes a surface, but fails to post signs warning that the surface is wet and a customer or other person on the property slips on the wet surface

Of course, this is only a sampling of common slip and fall causes. Any time a surface is poorly maintained, a carpet isn’t tacked down properly, a floor is left wet or slick, debris is left in a pathway, or negligence of the property owner or occupier contributes to a fall, the negligent party may be liable for damages. Unlike many other states, New Hampshire extends this protection to virtually anyone on the property, including trespassers.

What if the Injury Victim is Partly at Fault?

Under New Hampshire law, an injury victim who was himself or herself party responsible for the accident may still be able to recover damages from other responsible parties, such as the property owners. If the injured party is not more than 50% responsible, he or she may recover proportionate damages.

For example, if the court determines that the property owner was 70% responsible for the incident due to faulty maintenance, but that the injury victim was 30% responsible due to inattention, the property owner may be liable for 70% of the victim’s damages.

Damages in New Hampshire Slip and Fall Cases

Every personal injury case is different, and slip and fall cases are no exception. Compensation varies depending on a wide variety of factors, including degree of fault, extent of injuries, economic losses, and even factors such as the age and prior earning capacity of the victim.

Some common types of damages awarded in slip and fall / trip and fall cases include:

• Reimbursement for medical expenses and costs of rehabilitation
• Compensation for projected future medical costs
• Compensation for intangibles, such as pain and suffering
• Replacement of lost income
• Compensation for projected loss of future earnings

A New Hampshire personal injury attorney with experience in slip and fall cases can provide a clearer idea of the types of damages that may be available in your specific case.

Talk to a New Hampshire Slip and Fall Lawyer as Soon as Possible

The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Hampshire is three years. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to delay talking with a local personal injury lawyer. Some reasons to act quickly include:

• With medical bills mounting and lost income, many injury victims need to move their cases forward in order to secure the compensation they need to recover and rebuild
• Evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, making it more difficult to construct a strong case on your behalf
• Witness memories—even your own—fade over time, making testimony less detailed and less reliable

If you’ve been injured when you slipped or tripped and fell on someone else’s property, it is in your best interest to get knowledgeable guidance as soon as possible. You can schedule a free consultation with attorney Kevin Broderick by calling 978-459-3085 or completing our contact form.