Tripping over exposed wires can lead to severe injuries and damage. Depending on the severity of the fall, the victim’s age and health, and other details about the environment, the outcome of a trip and fall can range from minor injuries like bruises or scrapes to serious damage like broken bones or traumatic brain injuries. After tripping over exposed wires in public it is crucial that you understand your rights and legal options. Read on to learn about the steps you should take and how premises liability can be used to recover compensation. Work with an experienced New Jersey premises liability lawyer for legal advice and representation.
What is Premises Liability Law?
Premises liability law is the legal concept that makes a property owner liable for accidents and injuries that occur on their premises. Under this law, property owners have a legal obligation to provide visitors and patrons with a safe environment free of dangers and hazards. Property owners must make efforts to assess their property regularly and fix any potential issues.
If an accident and injury do occur due to the property owner’s negligence, they will be liable for compensating the victim. To successfully bring a premises liability claim or lawsuit against a property owner, the individual must prove the following.
- Duty of care: They must establish that the property owner owed them a duty of care to maintain a safe environment for visitors on their property
- Breach of duty: It must be demonstrated that the property owner breached this duty by failing to uphold the required standards
- Causation: The property owner’s negligence must have directly caused the accident
- Damages: The victim must establish that they sustained injuries or losses as a result of the accident
What Can I Do After Tripping Over Exposed Wires in Public?
Your first priority after tripping over an exposed wire should be ensuring your health and well-being. Call for help and assess your immediate pain and injuries.
Once help is on the way, evaluate the scene of the accident and document any evidence possible. Take pictures of the exposed wires, where they came from, other nearby hazards, visible injuries you sustained, and more. File an accident report with the property owner and gather the contact information of any witnesses.
Next, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you believe you are fine or that your injuries are minor, there is a chance that your adrenaline is masking an injury. Some ailments do not present symptoms right away so you could be under the false impression that you are unharmed.
Consider taking legal action against the negligent property owner. If your injury occured as a result of someone else’s actions or inaction, you deserve to be appropriately compensated. An experienced attorney can help you understand your options and file a premises liability claim or lawsuit. Reach out to a lawyer at Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC to set up your free consultation today.
