Burlington Sidewalk Accident Lawyers
Most people who slip or trip on a sidewalk do not immediately think of their legal rights, no matter how painful the fall. Typically the person is embarrassed, jumps up and declares that he or she is OK. The extent of injury may not hit home until later or the next morning.
If this happened to you or a loved one, the Burlington, New Jersey, law firm of Smith Magram Michaud Colonna, P.C., can step in to assert your rights to compensation. Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain sidewalks, and your injury might trace to their failure to address an unsafe condition.
Injured On A Walkway? Preserve Your Legal Rights!
It is not always clear who is responsible for sidewalk maintenance. It might be a homeowner or business, or it might be the jurisdiction of the city, township or county. In New Jersey, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of the incident if you believe a governmental entity is liable for personal injury. So it is important to contact an attorney right away before you lose your legal standing. Once your rights are preserved, there is plenty of time to prepare the actual lawsuit.
Our experienced premises liability lawyers have handled slip-and-fall accidents throughout Burlington County, Camden County and South Jersey. We welcome major or minor injury claims, and we will pursue the full compensation that you need and deserve.
Establishing Liability For Sidewalk Slip-And-Falls
If there is any question or dispute about who is liable for the sidewalk (the township or the adjacent property owner), we will bring claim against both and sort it out later. Meanwhile, we work to establish the hazardous condition that led to your injury:
- Uneven pavement
- Cracks, chips or potholes
- Snow or ice
- Obstructions
- Construction defect or code violation
Sidewalk hazards do not typically appear overnight. Tree roots, frost heave or disintegrated concrete occurs over weeks or months. The property owner or township likely knew or should have known of the danger. Perhaps they were previously put on notice to fix the problem. In the case of snow and ice, there is a duty to clear the walkway or put down salt within a reasonable time frame.
Do You Have A Case? It Costs Nothing To Find Out.
The proprietor of the sidewalk may claim that the defect was open and obvious. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a claim, although your recovery could be reduced. The defense may also question the degree or origin of your injuries. Our lawyers know how to counter these arguments to hold those parties accountable for your damages.
Even if you continued your shopping or worked the rest of the day, you may still have a slip-and-fall case against the owner. We offer a free initial consultation, and we will evaluate your claim and pursue your compensation on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no attorney fees unless we take your case and secure a settlement on your behalf.
To speak with our Burlington sidewalk accident attorneys, call Smith Magram Michaud Colonna toll free at 609-589-0649 or email us.