Most people have taken an unexpected fall at some point in their life. These accidents are common, especially on slippery or wet surfaces. In some cases, a bruised ego is the only injury. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. Slip-and-fall accidents can results in severe personal injuries in many cases, especially if you land on your head or neck.
Many slip-and-fall injuries are entirely preventable. These accidents only occur due to the carelessness or recklessness of a property owner or manager. When a property owner fails to maintain safe premises or warn their guests of hidden hazards, they could face liability for the injuries following Slip-and-Fall Accidents. If you were injured in a New Hampshire slip & fall accident, you could have a viable claim for financial compensation. Contact the Coates Law Office, PLLC, to learn more.
Common Slip & Fall Accidents in New Hampshire
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere including private residences or businesses open to the public. There are countless factors that could result in a fall depending on the type of property. Some common factors that lead to a fall include:
- Bunched or loose carpet
- Icy pavement
- Spilled food or drinks
- Broken stairs
- Uneven flooring
- Potholes
- Missing banisters
- Poor lighting
Injuries From a Slip & Fall in New Hampshire
The injuries stemming from a slip-and-fall accident depend on how the fall occurs. Falling forward can often lead to injuries to the face or knees. Falling backward can lead to injuries to the back or neck. However, the most severe injuries involve a person landing on their neck or head. Some injuries that commonly result from a slip-and-fall accident include:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones and bruises
- Cuts and lacerations
- Ankle sprains
- Tendon and ligament damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Wrist injuries
Whether your injuries are severe or minor, you could have a claim for compensation against the property owner or manager. An experienced New Hampshire slip & fall lawyer could assist you in recovering compensation on your claim.
Establishing Liability in a New Hampshire Slip & Fall Case
When a person lawfully enters the property of another person, the landowner owes them a duty of care.
In many states, the duty owed to a visitor will depend on their relationship to the property. For example, a property owner would owe a higher duty of care to a business customer compared to a social guest. New Hampshire takes a different approach.
Under state law, a New Hampshire property owner owes reasonable care to all visitors. Under this standard, the property owner must keep up the maintenance and safe operation of their property. If a property owner fails to take reasonable care to prevent hazards on their property, a person injured on their property could seek monetary compensation.
In a slip and fall case, a plaintiff must establish two things before they can prevail at trial. First, they must establish that a hazard on the defendant’s property caused the slip-and-fall injury. Second, the plaintiff must show the injury was foreseeable. If a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an avoidable injury, they could face liability for any damages.
If a plaintiff can establish that the property owner violated their duty of care, they could recover monetary compensation for their injuries. To learn more about establishing liability in a slip-and-fall case, reach out to attorney Bradford Coates right away.
Potential Damages
A successful claim for compensation can come in many forms. These damages can result in compensation for both the physical, psychological and financial injuries resulting from a slip-and-fall accident.
Some states impose arbitrary limits – known as damage caps – on certain damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Thankfully, New Hampshire does not impose these caps. This allows your attorney to pursue the actual value of your claim at trial.
Common damages recovered in a slip & fall lawsuit include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
Contact a New Hampshire Slip & Fall Attorney
If you have suffered injuries after falling on another person’s property, you could have a valid claim for monetary compensation. However, the compensation you are entitled to will depend in part on the property you were injured on. The law regarding slip-and-fall injuries is complex.