A single wet floor or a poorly lit stairwell in Bergen County is enough to cause broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, or months away from work. Property owners owe every visitor a duty of care, and when they ignore a hazard they knew about, the people who get hurt are left facing medical bills, lost income, and an insurance company that is already working to minimize the claim.
At Jae Lee Law, our Bergen County slip and fall attorneys bring over 30 years of experience and more than 100 years of combined legal experience to premises liability claims throughout the county. Managing Partner Jae E. Lee is one of only three percent of New Jersey attorneys certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, and our team communicates in English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. As part of our broader premises liability practice, we investigate every hazard that may have caused your fall, from a spilled liquid at a grocery store to an icy parking lot outside an apartment complex.
Time-Sensitive – New Jersey Law Limits Your Window to File
New Jersey gives you two years from the date of your slip and fall accident 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 Valid Slip and Fall Claim in New Jersey?
A valid slip and fall claim in New Jersey rests on four legal elements, and a case can fall apart if even one is missing.
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.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Bergen County?
Bergen County sees slip and fall accidents across many property types, from retail stores and restaurants to parking lots and apartment buildings.
Wet or Slippery Floors
Spills, recent mopping, and leaking pipes at supermarkets and restaurants leave floors dangerously slick, especially without a warning sign.
Snow and Ice on Walkways
New Jersey winters bring an added duty to clear ice and snow within a reasonable time, and delayed removal is a common source of claims.
Uneven Surfaces and Broken Pavement
Cracked sidewalks, torn carpeting, and loose floor tiles create tripping hazards that a routine inspection should catch.
Poor Lighting and Broken Handrails
Dim stairwells and unsecured handrails turn an ordinary step into a serious fall risk.
Each hazard type calls for different evidence, and our investigation works to uncover every responsible party.
Slip and fall accidents in Bergen County happen across a wide range of properties, and each location comes with its own maintenance standards.
- Retail stores and supermarkets
- Restaurants and shopping centers
- Parking lots and garages
- Apartment buildings and office complexes
- Municipal sidewalks and public walkways
We identify every party responsible for maintaining the property where you fell, including owners, tenants, and property management companies.
A fall in a parking lot sometimes involves a vehicle as well, such as being struck while walking between parked cars. When a slip and fall overlaps with a motor vehicle accident, our motor vehicle accident team can evaluate the full scope of your claim alongside our premises liability attorneys.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Bergen County Premises Case?
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.
National Safety Data
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 14 million adults report falling each year, with about 37 percent requiring medical treatment.
Documenting Your Injuries
Medical records establish the extent of your injuries and link them directly to the fall. We work with your treating providers to document fractures, head trauma, back injuries, and soft tissue damage, and we gather lost wage statements and medical bills to quantify your economic losses.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Bergen County?
The steps you take immediately following a fall can meaningfully affect the strength of your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries do not seem severe at first. Medical records create a clear link between the fall and your injuries.
Report and Document the Scene
Report the fall to the property owner or manager, and photograph the hazard, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries before conditions change.
Avoid Recorded Statements to Insurers
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney, because insurers often use early statements to minimize claims.
Contact an Attorney Promptly
The sooner an attorney is involved, the sooner evidence such as surveillance footage and maintenance logs can be preserved before it disappears.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall Accident in Bergen County?
New Jersey law allows slip and fall victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the severity of the injury and the degree of the property owner’s negligence.
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
Property Damage
Repair or replacement of personal property damaged in the fall
Property owners often carry substantial liability insurance, and we pursue full compensation based on how the injury has affected your daily life.
Statute of Limitations for Bergen County Slip and Fall Claims
New Jersey law gives you two years from the date of your slip and fall accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. Claims against a government entity, such as a municipality responsible for a public sidewalk, require a notice of claim within 90 days, a much shorter window than the standard deadline.
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.
Does New Jersey’s Modified Comparative Negligence Affect Your Case?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule that reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault, but only if you are less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. Insurance companies often argue that you should have seen the hazard or acted more carefully, using this rule to shift blame and lower a payout.
We gather evidence that proves the property owner’s negligence caused your fall, including maintenance records, witness statements, and video surveillance footage. You may still be able to recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your share of responsibility does not exceed 50 percent.
Why Do You Need an Experienced Slip and Fall Attorney in Bergen County?
Slip and fall cases present unique challenges that require careful legal preparation. Insurance companies employ adjusters who minimize payouts by disputing liability, blaming the injured visitor, and delaying claims as the statute of limitations grows closer. Our team counters these tactics through thorough investigation and firm negotiation.
We handle slip and fall claims for clients throughout Fort Lee, Passaic County, and Hudson County, in addition to Bergen County, and our track record of results reflects a firm-wide commitment to full compensation.
What Makes Jae Lee Law Different in Slip and Fall Cases?
Our Bergen County slip and fall attorneys bring over 30 years of experience and more than 100 years of combined legal experience to every premises liability case. Managing Partner Jae E. Lee is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction held by fewer than three percent of attorneys in the state, and our multilingual team communicates in English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. We prepare every case for trial rather than settling quickly for a minimal amount, and we advance litigation costs so financial concerns never stand between you and the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents in Bergen County
The questions below cover what clients most often ask before their first consultation.
Contact Jae Lee Law About Your Bergen County Slip and Fall Case
Property owner negligence causes preventable injuries that disrupt lives and create real financial hardship. Our Bergen County legal team fights for full compensation in every premises liability case we handle, and Managing Partner Jae E. Lee is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction held by fewer than three percent of attorneys in the state.
We take an aggressive stance against insurance companies that undervalue claims or deny valid injuries, and we prepare every case for trial when a fair settlement is not on the table. Complete our contact form to discuss your Bergen County slip and fall case with our legal team.
