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Lever & Ecker, PLLC January 7, 2023 Slip Trip & Fall
Whether your child is on the playground, in the classroom, or anywhere else at the school, slip-and-fall (and trip-and-fall) injuries can happen anywhere on school grounds. According to Safe Home, over 175,000 children required emergency treatment in the last decade due to school injuries in the US. If your child suffered severe or permanent injuries from a slip-and-fall that resulted in costly medical bills and other losses due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you have a right to seek compensation against the wrongdoing party or parties.
The school is responsible for ensuring its facilities are safe for children. If you suspect that the actions of school staff, faculty, or administration are to blame for your child’s injuries, speak with the school injury lawyers at Lever & Ecker, PLLC. We are prepared to fight for your legal rights at every step of the legal process.
Consider these steps to strengthen your claim against the school if your child suffered slip-and-fall accident injuries due to negligence:
Seeking medical care immediately after a slip-and-fall accident on school grounds is vital, as prompt medical attention is critical to an individual’s health and recovery. While some injuries may be minor, more serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can have life-altering implications. Keep a record of medical treatments, co-pays/deductibles, and transportation costs as evidence of economic losses.
Speak with a New York slip-and-fall lawyer as soon as possible following the accident to understand your best legal options. Depending on the details of your case, you may seek compensatory damages for your child’s injuries. However, you must prove that the school was responsible and directly caused the accident and subsequent injuries. An experienced lawyer can investigate the accident to obtain vital evidence to satisfy the burden of proof. If you did not witness the accident, ask for a detailed description of how the accident occurred. Request a statement from any eyewitnesses. If the injury resulted from defective equipment or unsafe surroundings, take photos or videos if possible.
Lastly, you may file a slip-and-fall accident claim against the school (and perhaps other responsible parties) once you have the necessary evidence to prove liability. Seeking legal recourse against a public or private school is challenging and requires a highly experienced lawyer to handle all aspects of your case to increase your chances of success.
If your child was injured in a slip-and-fall accident at a public school, you must submit a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident with the school, school district and perhaps department of education. Thereafter, you must commence the lawsuit within one-year and ninety-days of the accident. Given these various confusing deadlines, your best bet is to have a skilled and experienced lawyer on your side.
New York schools have a legal responsibility to ensure that school buildings, playgrounds, and other areas of the school grounds are safe for children. When they fail to prevent slip-and-fall accidents due to negligence, they may be liable for injuries resulting from unsafe conditions. With over 65 years of experience, Lever & Ecker, PLLC, can fight to hold the school accountable and handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on your child’s recovery. We are prepared to proceed to trial if necessary to protect your best interests.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with our award-winning lawyers by calling (914) 288-9191 or (718) 933-3632 or by filling out our contact form.