Legally Reviewed by Jae E. Lee on July 16, 2026
A wet floor with no warning sign. A cracked sidewalk outside a strip mall. An icy parking lot a property owner never salted. These are not freak accidents. They are the result of a failure to maintain a safe environment, and when that failure injures you, the law may hold the property owner accountable.
At Jae Lee Law, we represent people across Passaic County who have been seriously hurt in slip and fall accidents caused by dangerous property conditions. As part of our Passaic County personal injury practice, our team brings over 30 years of experience, more than 100 years of combined legal experience, and millions of dollars recovered for injured clients throughout New Jersey. We are proactive, trial-ready, and committed to pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
Time-Sensitive – New Jersey Law Limits Your Window to File
New Jersey gives you two years from the date of your fall to file a lawsuit.
Jae Lee Law brings over 30 years of experience, more than 100 years of combined legal experience, and a contingency fee structure, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
What Makes a Slip and Fall a Legal Case?
Not every fall leads to a valid legal claim, but many do. New Jersey premises liability law requires property owners to maintain a reasonably safe condition and to warn visitors of hazards they know about or should have discovered with reasonable care. A property owner or manager who fails that standard can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Common Conditions That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents
Our Passaic County premises liability attorneys handle cases involving hazardous conditions such as the following.
Wet or Slippery Floors
Spills and freshly mopped surfaces left without warning signs.
Ice and Snow Accumulation
Property owners must remove it in a timely manner.
Uneven Pavement
Cracked sidewalks and damaged parking lots that catch a person off guard.
Poor Lighting
Dim staircases and unlit entryways that hide hazards.
Missing or Broken Handrails
A serious fall risk on stairways, especially for older visitors.
Property owners must take reasonable steps to protect the people who visit their spaces, regardless of which hazard is involved.
How Serious Are Slip and Fall Injuries?
Falls are far more dangerous than most people initially realize.
Federal Safety Data
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips were among the most frequent causes of fatal work injuries in New Jersey in 2023, accounting for 23 percent of all workplace fatalities in the state.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Slip and Fall Cases
Our team handles cases involving fractures of the hip, wrist, or ankle, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, torn ligaments, and soft tissue injuries.
| Injury Type | Common Impact |
|---|---|
| Fractures (Hip, Wrist, or Ankle) | Surgery and extended recovery time, often with lasting mobility effects |
| Traumatic Brain Injuries | Cognitive, memory, or personality changes requiring ongoing care |
| Spinal Cord Damage | Partial or total loss of mobility and independence |
| Torn Ligaments | Reduced range of motion and possible surgical repair |
| Soft Tissue Injuries | Chronic pain and extended physical therapy |
In the most severe situations, a fall can be fatal, and families may have grounds for a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Statute of Limitations for Passaic County Slip and Fall Cases
New Jersey law gives you two years from the date of your fall to file a personal injury lawsuit, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. If a fall proved fatal, families have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-3. Missing either deadline can permanently bar recovery, no matter how strong the case.
Some injuries are not obvious right away, and New Jersey’s discovery rule can affect when that two-year clock starts running. You can review the general filing deadlines through the New Jersey Courts self-help resources, but an attorney should confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case as soon as possible.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Passaic County?
Slip and fall accidents can occur just about anywhere, but certain locations in Passaic County generate more claims than others. Grocery stores, supermarkets, and retail locations are frequent sites of dangerous spills and wet floor hazards. Our team handles Passaic County supermarket injury claims involving customers hurt due to unreported spills or damaged flooring that management failed to address.
Falls also occur in apartment hallways and lobbies, hotel entrances and staircases, office building parking lots, and on public sidewalks adjacent to commercial properties. Passaic County’s densely populated communities, including Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, and Wayne, offer no shortage of high-traffic areas where property owners must remain vigilant about maintenance.
What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall in Passaic County
The steps you take immediately following a fall can meaningfully affect the strength of your case.
Report the Incident
If your condition allows, report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a written incident report.
Document the Scene
Take photographs of the hazard and gather contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not seem severe at first. Medical records establish a direct link between the fall and your injuries, which is critical when pursuing compensation.
Avoid Recorded Statements
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney, as insurers routinely use early statements to minimize or deny claims.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A successful slip and fall claim in New Jersey may allow you to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, physical pain and emotional suffering, and costs related to long-term rehabilitation.
Medical Expenses
Current treatment costs and reasonably expected future care
Lost Wages
Income missed while recovering, and diminished future earning capacity
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for the physical and emotional toll of your injury
Long-Term Rehabilitation
Costs related to ongoing recovery and rehabilitation
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries and the degree to which the property owner’s negligence contributed to what happened.
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault. As long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent, you may still recover damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Jae Lee Law for a Passaic County Slip and Fall Consultation
When a property owner’s negligence puts you on the ground and leaves you with serious injuries, you deserve a legal team that takes your case seriously and fights for every dollar you are owed. Managing Partner Jae E. Lee is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction held by fewer than 3 percent of attorneys in the state, and our multilingual team serves clients in English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian.
We handle slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Reach out to our team today through our contact form to tell us what happened and find out how we can help.
