Passaic County Slip and Fall Lawyer

Property owners in New Jersey have a duty to ensure their premises are safe for all who lawfully use them. Unfortunately, some property owners fail to ensure their premises are hazard-free and unsuspecting individuals are injured as a result. If you were injured due to dangerous property conditions, a skilled Passaic County slip & fall lawyer from the Law Offices of August R. Soltis is here to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact our firm for a free initial consultation today.

Slip & Fall Cases We Handle

Here at the Law Offices of August R. Soltis, we handle all types of premises liability claims on behalf of our clients, including those involving:

• Stairway Accidents: Staircases are one of the most common locations for slip and fall accidents, and when they are not properly maintained, they can pose serious hazards. Uneven steps, broken handrails, poor lighting, or slippery surfaces can all contribute to devastating falls. In some cases, loose carpeting or debris left on stairs can also lead to serious injuries. Property owners have a duty to regularly inspect stairwells and ensure they are safe for use. If a hazardous condition caused your accident, you may have a valid premises liability claim. Our firm is here to fight for the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• Parking Lot Accidents: A poorly maintained parking lot can be riddled with dangers, from potholes and cracks to accumulated ice and standing water. When property owners fail to take reasonable steps to ensure their lots are safe, unsuspecting individuals can suffer serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord damage. Whether your accident resulted from inadequate lighting, a lack of warning signs, or general neglect, our legal team can help you hold the responsible party accountable. We’ll work to prove negligence and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Sidewalk Accidents: A cracked, uneven, or icy sidewalk can be a disaster waiting to happen. While many people assume that trip and fall accidents on sidewalks are minor, they can lead to severe injuries, particularly for elderly individuals or those with existing medical conditions. Liability for sidewalk accidents depends on the location of the fall—whether it occurred on private, commercial, or municipal property. In cases involving city-owned sidewalks, strict deadlines apply, meaning you must act fast. If you were injured due to a hazardous sidewalk condition, our firm is ready to assess your case and advocate for the maximum compensation available under the law.
• Supermarket Accidents: Supermarkets are filled with potential hazards, from spilled liquids and misplaced merchandise to loose floor mats and crowded aisles. When store employees fail to clean up spills promptly or neglect to put up warning signs, unsuspecting shoppers can suffer serious injuries. These accidents can result in fractures, concussions, and even long-term disabilities. Grocery stores and retail establishments have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for customers. If you were hurt in a supermarket due to hazardous conditions, we can help gather evidence, such as surveillance footage and witness statements, to build a strong claim for compensation.

Proving a Premises Liability Claim in New Jersey

To successfully pursue a premises liability claim in New Jersey, you must establish that the property owner or manager was negligent in maintaining a safe environment. This requires proving the following key elements:

• Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care. In New Jersey, property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe for lawful visitors, including customers, tenants, and invited guests. The extent of this duty depends on your status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
• Breach of Duty: You must show that the property owner failed to uphold their duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist. This could mean failing to repair a broken staircase, neglecting to clear ice from a walkway, or ignoring a spill in a grocery store aisle.
• Causation: It must be demonstrated that the hazardous condition directly caused your accident and resulting injuries. This often requires evidence such as surveillance footage, witness testimony, maintenance records, or expert analysis.
• Damages: Lastly, you need to prove that your injuries led to compensable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Since premises liability cases can be complex, working with an experienced attorney is crucial to gathering the necessary evidence and building a strong claim for compensation.

The Statute of Limitations

If you’ve been injured due to a hazardous property condition in New Jersey, it’s crucial to act quickly. The statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit in New Jersey is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have a limited window to take legal action against the responsible party.

Failing to file within this timeframe will likely result in your case being dismissed, barring you from recovering compensation for your injuries. However, certain exceptions may extend or shorten this deadline. For example:

• Claims against government entities (such as a sidewalk accident involving municipal property) require filing a formal notice of claim within 90 days of the accident.
• Minors or individuals with certain disabilities may have an extended time to file, depending on the circumstances.

Because timing is critical, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible can ensure that all legal deadlines are met and that your case is handled properly from the start.

Contact a New Jersey Slip & Fall Lawyer Today

Don’t go through the premises liability claims process without a skilled Passaic County personal injury attorney in your corner. The Law Offices of August R. Soltis has over 40 years of experience representing accident victims in New Jersey, and we stand ready to put that experience to work for you as well. Contact a skilled slip and fall lawyer from our firm for a free case evaluation today.