Property owners in Bergen County owe visitors a duty of care to maintain safe premises. When hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or icy walkways cause someone to fall and sustain injuries, victims have legal rights. These accidents result in serious harm, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and soft tissue injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time away from work.
Our Bergen County slip and fall lawyer at Jae Lee Law has over 100 years of combined experience handling premises liability claims throughout the county. We know New Jersey slip and fall law inside and out, and we fight to hold negligent property owners accountable. Attorney Jae E. Lee is among the 3% of New Jersey attorneys certified by the Supreme Court. We speak English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian, and we take a proactive approach to your case from day one.
What Makes a Valid Slip and Fall Claim in New Jersey?
Property owners in New Jersey must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. A valid claim requires proof that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors. The hazard must have directly caused your fall and resulting injuries.
Bergen County sees slip and fall accidents across various property types. Retail stores, restaurants, parking lots, apartment buildings, office complexes, and municipal sidewalks all present fall hazards. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 14 million adults report falling each year, with about 37% requiring medical treatment.
How Do You Prove Liability in Premises Cases?
We gather evidence showing the property owner either created the dangerous condition or had actual notice of it. This includes maintenance records, inspection logs, prior incident reports, and witness statements. Video surveillance footage often captures both the hazardous condition and your fall.
Documenting Your Injuries
Medical records establish the extent of your injuries and link them directly to the fall. We work with your doctors to document fractures, head trauma, back injuries, and soft tissue damage. Lost wage statements and medical bills quantify your economic losses.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall Accident in Bergen County?
New Jersey law allows slip and fall victims to pursue several categories of damages:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
Property owners often carry substantial liability insurance. We pursue full compensation based on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life. Our track record includes securing millions in recoveries for injured clients across Bergen County.
Does Modified Comparative Negligence Affect Your Case?
New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence rules. You can recover damages as long as you’re less than 51% at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault reduces your compensation. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re 20% at fault, you receive $80,000.
Insurance companies often argue that victims should have seen the hazard or acted more carefully. We counter these tactics by demonstrating that the property owner’s negligence created an unreasonable danger. Weather conditions, lighting, and the nature of the hazard all factor into liability determinations.
What Are Common Causes of Bergen County Slip and Fall Accidents?
Winter conditions create serious slip hazards across Bergen County. Property owners must clear ice and snow within reasonable timeframes. Inadequate de-icing, poorly maintained walkways, and accumulated snow lead to preventable falls.
Building Maintenance Issues
Property defects cause many slip and fall accidents. Torn carpeting, loose floor tiles, cracked pavement, broken handrails, and inadequate lighting create dangerous conditions. Regular inspections and prompt repairs prevent these accidents.
Workplace Fall Incidents
Workplace slip and fall accidents occur on construction sites, in warehouses, in retail environments, and in office buildings. Wet floors, cluttered walkways, and unmarked hazards put employees and visitors at risk. Workers may pursue both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party liability claims.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
New Jersey’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your fall to file a lawsuit. Government entity claims require notice within 90 days. Missing these deadlines destroys your right to compensation.
We start investigating immediately to preserve evidence before it disappears. Video footage gets deleted, witnesses become harder to locate, and hazardous conditions get repaired. Early action strengthens your claim and maximizes your recovery.
What Sets Our Approach Apart From Other New Jersey Firms?
We don’t wait for insurance companies to make reasonable offers. We conduct thorough investigations, retain accident reconstruction professionals when needed, and prepare every case for trial. Property owners and their insurers know we’re ready to fight in court, which leads to better settlement negotiations.
Our certification status matters. Managing partner Jae E. Lee earned certification from the New Jersey Supreme Court, an achievement reached by only 3% of New Jersey attorneys. This certification requires passing a rigorous examination and demonstrating substantial experience in civil trial practice.
Secure Legal Representation for Your Bergen County Slip and Fall Case
Property owner negligence causes preventable injuries that disrupt lives and create financial hardship. Slip and fall victims deserve full compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our Bergen County legal team fights for maximum recovery in every case we handle, and we’ve built a strong track record of results over 30 years.
We take an aggressive stance against insurance companies that undervalue claims or deny valid injuries. If settlement negotiations fail to produce fair compensation, we take cases to trial. Don’t let property owner negligence go unaddressed. Complete our contact form to discuss your slip and fall case with our Bergen County legal team.
