Slip and falls accidents can make for serious injuries, and the nationwide impact is significant. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there were 11.5 million annual emergency room visits due to falls across the country. Many of these have likely taken place at bars.
If you’ve been hurt from a slip and fall at a New Jersey bar, you may be wondering if you can receive fair compensation, especially if this injury has led to costly medical bills and lost income.
Can I Sue a Bar for a Slip and Fall in New Jersey?
The short answer is yes, if the accident was due to the bar owner’s negligence. Property owners, including bar owners, have a responsibility to maintain their property and ensure visitor safety. If you have suffered an injury from a slip and fall at a New Jersey bar, under state laws you may be entitled to compensation if it’s determined that the owner was negligent. Proving the bar owner was negligent can be challenging, so partnering with an experienced New Jersey slip and fall attorney is a critical step to securing fair compensation.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
To win a slip and fall injury lawsuit, the injured person must prove that the bar owner or manager was negligent in property maintenance, and there was an unsafe condition on site. Bar owners have a responsibility to address conditions that could lead to slip and fall accidents and provide warning of potentially hazardous conditions, such as spilled drinks on a tile floor. Following the accident, it’s important to document the location, take pictures, and write down the names and contact information of any witnesses who were around when the accident happened. A successful slip and fall case in New Jersey requires evidence of negligence.
Compensation for Slip and Falls at Bars in New Jersey
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our slip and fall lawyers pursue the maximum compensation possible for all damages resulting from the accident. All cases are unique, and the exact value of your claim usually depends on the severity and permanence of the injuries. In New Jersey, there’s no limit on compensation for compensatory damages in a slip and fall case, which includes compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses.
Under New Jersey premises liability laws, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Medical expenses related to the accident, including future medical expenses
- Missed wages and lost income while healing from the accident
- Pain and suffering related to the injury
Common Causes of Slip and Falls at Bars
Bars can be a common location for slips and falls. The most common causes of slip and falls at bars include:
- Spilled food and drinks
- Poorly maintained entranceways
- Poor lighting
- Ice or snow on the entryways and/or sidewalks
- Damaged or uneven flooring, such as a turned up carpet
- Wet floors in areas like bathrooms
- Poorly placed electrical cords
Deadline for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in New Jersey
New Jersey’s statute of limitations requires individuals who suffer a slip and fall injury to file a claim against the bar within two years of the accident to qualify for any type of compensation. If an individual files a claim past two years, the case is likely to be dismissed.
Consult with A Slip and Fall Lawyer To Learn Your Rights
Before filing a lawsuit against a bar, it's key to consult with an experienced New Jersey attorney who is knowledgeable about the nuances of the law and has expertise with slip and fall lawsuits in the field. Be sure to seek someone with experience and a proven track record of success. This may make all the difference in how your case turns out.
There's no up-front risk. You don't have to pay anything to get a New Jersey personal injury lawyer at Brandon J. Broderick, unless your claim is successful. We only get paid if we win your case; and you won't have to pay if we lose.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We have New Jersey locations across the state – from Jersey City to Trenton.