Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

The Cost of Slip and Fall Accidents to New York Victims

On Behalf of | Sep 17, 2013 | Slip and Fall

A recent study conducted by Bolt Insurance Agency sheds light on slip and fall accidents across the country. According to data, there are over 9 million slip and fall accident related visits to hospital and emergency rooms each year. That makes it the number one accidental injury in America.

In 2009 there were roughly 5,000 slip and fall accidents in New York subways alone. Each incident resulted in an average $20,000 hospital and rehabilitation bill. That figure is extraordinary whether the victim has private health insurance or is covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance if the injured party is hurt while on the job. However, it’s absolutely devastating to those who don’t have any health insurance or have to pay these bills out of their own pocket. Those victims injured in a store, building, restaurant, or on a sidewalk similar bills and issues.

But the true cost of slip and fall accidents includes not just the doctor bills but also the lost time from work. The Bolt study found that 95 million workdays are lost to slip and fall injuries each year. Each injured worker is out of work, on average, for 38 days.

So, who is responsible for these huge expenses and lost wages? Surely, it should not be the victim. In many cases, the property or store owner may be liable for slip and fall accidents in New York. Indeed, roughly 55% of all slip and fall accidents result from unsafe walking surfaces. Wet floors in apartment or office building lobbies and floors, liquids or garbage on store floors, uneven or cracked sidewalks in front of stores, private houses or apartment buildings and improperly lit stairwells or hallways in offices and apartment buildings contribute to the overall number of slip and fall accidents in New York.

The property or business owner’s liability for a victim’s slip and fall medical bills and pain and suffering depends on whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and whether the owner failed to remedy the dangerous condition in a timely fashion. In only 10% of the 9 million slip and fall accidents reported were there signs warning the public of the dangerous condition.

If you or a loved one has slipped or fallen and believe someone else is to blame, contact an expert New York slip and fall accident attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at or 212-385-1122 for a free consultation to learn your rights.

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