How Much Is My Slip and Fall Claim Worth?
Whether you’re visiting someone’s apartment, using an elevator at the mall, or picking up food at your favorite takeout spot, you have every reason to believe you will be reasonably safe. However, many property owners and occupiers fail to take proper care of their premises or warn patrons of potential hazards, leaving visitors at risk of suffering a serious injury in a slip and fall accident.
If you were hurt on someone else’s property, it’s likely your expenses are adding up at an alarming rate. Not only can medical care cost a small fortune, but an injury can also prevent you from working, leaving you to watch as weeks—or even months—of wages disappear into thin air. As such, you may be wondering how much your case is worth.
In this article, we will explore your rights as a personal injury victim and take a look at some of the damages that may be available as part of your claim:
New Jersey’s Premises Liability Laws
In the state, property owners are responsible for the proper construction, security, or maintenance of a plot of land, residence, place of business, or building. These responsibilities are not just limited to the property itself, but extend to its parking lots, sidewalks, and other adjoining areas.
Property owners must ensure that these sections are kept clear of hazards and/or contain adequate signage to warn patrons of potential hazards. For instance, if a visitor slips and falls on a broken set of stairs at a grocery store, the owner may be liable for the injuries they suffered.
Common Damages in a New Jersey Slip and Fall Claim
The amount you might receive in the form of a financial award will depend on the impact your injuries have had, and will have, on your life. As such, you will need to first achieve maximum medical improvement—the point in your recovery at which your condition will not improve with further treatment—before an attorney can help approximate the potential value of your claim. This will help give you a clear idea of the full costs involved with treating your injuries and the other losses you may incur.
Let’s take a look at the three main categories of damages available to personal injury victims in New Jersey:
- Economic Damages: This category of damages encompasses any monetary losses stemming from the accident and your injuries. These losses can include both past and future medical costs, lost earnings if you were unable to work, property repairs or replacement, and other associated expenses.
- Non-Economic Damages: Bills, receipts, and invoices only tell one side of the story when it comes to suffering a serious injury. A fall can lead to considerable pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, and other intangible effects. While these damages are difficult to quantify, they can have a devastating effect on your well-being. As such, plaintiffs have a right to seek compensation for such intangible losses. The nature of your injuries, their severity, and the impact they’ve had on your everyday life are some of the factors a judge or jury may consider when deciding how much to award in non-economic damages.
- Punitive Damages: While rarely awarded, you could receive punitive damages if it can be shown that the property owner’s behavior was extremely negligent, reckless, or intentional. Unlike the other damages listed here, punitive damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff but rather to punish the defendant and to deter others from committing similar acts. In New Jersey, a punitive damages award cannot be larger than five times the sum total of compensatory damages or $350,000.
Find a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in New Jersey Today
If you were injured through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you’ve incurred. At the Clark Law Firm, we have extensive experience overseeing slip and fall claims in the state, and might be able to help you in your fight for a fair settlement. Contact us today at 1-877-841-8855 or tap through to our contact page HERE to set up a free case assessment.
