What Kind of Damages Can I Recover from a Slip and Fall Accident?
When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, the resulting injuries can disrupt your life in countless ways. These accidents often occur because property owners fail to maintain safe conditions or neglect to warn visitors about potential hazards. You have legal rights when negligence causes your injuries, and property owners can be held accountable for the harm you suffered.
By filing a slip and fall accident lawsuit in New Haven, you can recover damages to compensate you for the physical, emotional, and financial harm you have sustained. In Connecticut, these damages are typically split into two categories: economic and non-economic.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, contact our New Haven premises liability attorneys to discuss your legal options today. Call us at (203) 333-3333 for a free consultation today.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses directly resulting from your slip and fall injury. These are concrete expenses that can be documented with evidence such as bills and receipts. Your past and future medical expenses will form a significant portion of your economic damages, including:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalization costs
- Surgery expenses
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Necessary medical equipment
These damages can also cover any income that you have lost while recovering, including sick days and vacation time used during recovery. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous position or working at all, you may recover damages for diminished earning capacity or future lost wages.
Additional economic damages include property damage, transportation costs to medical appointments, and home modifications to accommodate your injuries. You can even receive reimbursement for household help if you are unable to complete regular tasks.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering, address the intangible, subjective losses that significantly impact your quality of life. They cover the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by your injuries, both immediately after the accident and throughout your recovery.
Common examples include:
- Chronic pain
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Anxiety and depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse, you may receive compensation for loss of consortium. These damages recognize the strain on your marriage due to your physical limitations and changed circumstances.
Punitive Damages
In some slip and fall claims, you may qualify for a third category known as punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which aim to make you whole after an injury, punitive damages aim to punish egregious behavior and deter similar conduct in the future. These damages are reserved for cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct by property owners.
For example, a store owner who repeatedly ignores dangerous broken flooring despite multiple customer complaints and previous injuries may be liable for punitive damages. A landlord who deliberately removes safety railings to save money despite knowing the risks or a hotel that continues to operate with known dangerous conditions that violate safety codes might also face punitive damages.
If you have suffered serious injuries after a slip and fall accident, contact our New Haven personal injury attorneys at Lynch, Traub, Keefe, & Errante to seek compensation today.
Calculate Your Claim’s True Value with Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
The true value of your slip and fall claim depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, your recovery timeline, and the impact on your future. A New Haven slip and fall attorney will thoroughly assess all aspects of your case to build a comprehensive picture of your damages. Schedule a free legal consultation today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need to move forward.