Slip, trip and fall accidents are often caused by dangerous property conditions that create a trap for unsuspecting persons. Many times, these conditions can lead to serious and debilitating injuries, especially when the elderly are involved. Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. has handled many fall cases involving business and restaurant owners, residential and commercial property owners, retail store owners, apartment complex owners and landlords.

These accidents can occur in many ways but the typical incidences usually happen from objects left carelessly laying in the walkway of the injured person; failure to remove snow and ice, construction defects in stairs, floors and ramps or when an unexpected hole develops on the walking surface. Our firm will promptly investigate these cases and preserve the key evidence before it disappears. Often times, a security camera will have captured your fall and we can file a motion with a judge to force defendants to save and preserve this key evidence before it disappears. Additionally, an engineering expert will often be utilized to show the defect in the property and to prove that the condition was unsafe.  Quick and decisive action is the key to  proving and winning these cases.

Here are a few things you can do immediately:

1. Fill out an incident report at the place where you fell.
2. Take pictures of the area where you fell as soon as possible.
3. Document by name, address and phone number any witnesses to your fall.
4. Find out if the place where you fell had a video camera/security camera operating.
5. Save your clothing and shoes.

RECENT SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS IN CASES INVOLVING UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS PREMISES

• $900,000 settlement for the wrongful death of 75 year old women who was injured and died of a head injury after she tripped over negligently located parking bumpers in a South Jersey shopping center. Lou DeVoto handled the case.
• $625,000 settlement for 65 year old women who fractured her hip in a fall on defective steps in her new home.  Lou DeVoto handled the case.
• $525,000 Jury Verdict against LA Fitness for failing to properly train a member who paid for separate fitness training services. The member sustained a torn labrum in her shoulder and required surgery to correct the condition after her fitness trainer gave her an inappropriate exercise that caused injury to the shoulder. Lou DeVoto represented RD’s client.
• $350,000 for a doctor who fell on ice and snow outside a condominium complex. Andy Rossetti represented the doctor.
• $305,000 for fractured Talus after client trips on improperly placed landscape netting.  Lou DeVoto represented RD’s client.
• $150,000 for RD’s client who fell on untreated ice on sidewalk of apartment complex in Camden County.  Injury required surgery to correct dislocated knee cap.
• $150,000 for torn rotator cuff and tendon rupture by a private contractor unloading mail at the US Postal Service after delivery cart failed due to overloading by the Postal Service.
• $150,000 for slip and fall outside an Ocean City pharmacy.
• $150,000 for women’s fall at PATCO train station for failure to remove ice and snow resulting in a fractured ankle with surgery.

If you have any additional questions, check out our question and answer section on slip and falls or contact us for a free consultation.