When you’re heading to work, going shopping, walking your dog, or simply getting some exercise, the last thing you’d expect to happen is to encounter dangerous premises conditions and sustain a serious slip and fall on a sidewalk as a result. Unfortunately, this is something that happens far more often than many of us realize. If this has happened to you, you may be entitled to compensation. Continue reading and reach out to a seasoned Union County sidewalk accident lawyer from The Mark Law Firm to learn more about these cases. Here are some of the questions you may have:

Who May Be Responsible for a Sidewalk Slip & Fall Accident?

One of the first things you should understand is that determining who is responsible for a sidewalk accident is not always a simple matter. In New Jersey, liability often depends on where the accident occurred, the condition of the sidewalk, and who was responsible for maintaining the property at the time of the accident.

In many cases, commercial property owners are responsible for ensuring sidewalks adjacent to their businesses are reasonably safe for pedestrians. This means fixing cracked pavement, uneven concrete, loose bricks, accumulated ice or snow, poor lighting conditions, and any other hazards that could foreseeably cause someone to become injured. Some potentially liable parties in sidewalk accident cases can include the following:

  • Commercial property owners
  • Business owners
  • Property management companies
  • Municipalities or government entities
  • Snow removal companies
  • Maintenance companies
  • Homeowners, in certain circumstances

What Must Be Proven in a New Jersey Sidewalk Injury Claim?

If you are seeking compensation after a sidewalk slip and fall accident, there are several things that will generally have to be established. Naturally, every case is different, however, most personal injury claims hinge upon proving negligence. Essentially, this means demonstrating that another party failed to act reasonably under the circumstances, and that this failure directly resulted in your injuries. Some of the most important elements in a sidewalk injury claim are as follows:

  • A dangerous condition existed on the sidewalk
  • The responsible party knew or should have known about the hazard
  • The dangerous condition was not repaired or corrected
  • The unsafe condition directly caused your accident
  • You sustained actual damages as a result

In many cases, evidence is critical. Photographs of the sidewalk, surveillance footage, witness testimony, incident reports, and medical documentation can all go a long way in proving your claim.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Sidewalk Fall?

In many cases, sidewalk slip and fall injuries can impact a person’s ability to work, support their family, and simply go about their normal daily routine, which is why, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Rehabilitation costs

If you have any further questions about your sidewalk accident, or whether you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained, please don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer here at The Mark Law Firm for an initial consultation today. We’re here to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.