Slip and Fall Cases Our Lawyers Handle in Buffalo
Every fall case turns on details that are rarely evident at first. Weather, lighting, foot traffic, maintenance routines, property layout, and timing all influence the strength of a claim. Many individuals are injured because businesses and property owners failed to maintain walkways, remove hazards, or warn visitors about dangerous conditions.
Our Slip and fall lawyers in Buffalo routinely confront situations involving preventable hazards, including:
- Ice-covered sidewalks
- Snow accumulation in parking lots
- Wet supermarket aisles
- Spills in restaurant dining areas
- Broken or loose stair treads
- Poorly lit entryways
- Uneven floor surfaces
- Worn carpeting in apartment buildings
- Cracked pavement outside storefronts
- Construction debris left in walkways
- Unsafe ramps or loading zones
Proving a slip and fall claim requires far more than describing what happened. Reliable evidence, witness statements, maintenance logs, and expert assessments often determine whether the property owner should have corrected the hazard. Personal injury lawyers in Buffalo play a crucial role in connecting these details to New York premises liability law.
Why Choose Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
Some firms treat fall cases as simple liability matters. That approach misses what truly matters: the medical future of the person who fell. Hidden complications often appear months later. Our slip and fall attorneys take time to understand the trajectory of your healing, the financial pressure created by lost work, and the stress caused by uncertainty.
Compassion That Understands Your Experience
We know a fall affects more than your body. Our attorneys take the time to listen, understand your challenges, and treat you as a person, not a case number.
Trial-Ready From the Start
Insurers take claims seriously when they know we are trial-ready. We gather evidence, expert testimony, and medical records to protect your position and ensure your injuries are fully recognized.
Dedicated Support Through Every Step
You work with one slip and fall injury lawyer in Buffalo from start to finish. This consistency ensures clear communication, personalized guidance, and strategic planning tailored to your circumstances.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall injuries often trigger long-lasting physical, financial, and emotional strain. Calculating compensation involves projecting needs far beyond your current medical bills. Anything less risks leaving significant needs uncovered, especially when injuries affect mobility, strength, balance, or cognitive function.
In Buffalo, a slip and fall accident attorney can help you recover compensation for:
- Emergency care and hospital treatment
- Follow-up appointments and specialist visits
- Medications, braces, and mobility devices
- Surgeries or procedures related to the injury
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Reduced earning ability or permanent work limitations
- Lost wages during recovery
- Home adjustments such as railings or ramp installation
- Pain, physical challenges, and emotional strain
- Disruptions to hobbies, family time, and community activities
- Funeral-related costs in fatal fall cases
- Long-term care or recurring rehabilitation needs
Insurers often attempt to undervalue these damages by focusing only on immediate medical bills or arguing that injuries were pre-existing. A lawyer can address these tactics by documenting hazards, projecting future care needs with life-care planners, and gathering expert testimony on long-term impacts.
Watch this video by dedicated Buffalo injury attorney Timothy Hiller Esq. to learn about damages in a slip and fall injury claim.
The Benefits of Hiring a Slip-and-Fall Attorney
Every year, around 1 million people visit emergency rooms after a slip-and-fall accident. Injuries range from bruises to broken bones, but sometimes these accidents can be fatal. Most slip-and-fall accidents are preventable and result from negligence.
If you have been injured in this type of accident in Western New York, our slip-and-fall lawyers can make the difference between fair compensation and being underpaid. With us, you can expect support through each crucial step:
✓ Free Consultation: We review your accident and advise you on whether a claim is appropriate.
✓ Thorough Investigation: Maintenance logs, incident reports, store policies, weather records, and photographs help establish how the hazard developed.
✓ Professional Collaboration: Medical and safety specialists may assist with determining the severity of your injuries and explaining the mechanics of the fall.
✓ Detailed Negotiation: Insurers receive a well-documented demand supported by organized evidence, medical proof, and clear calculations.
✓ Prepared Trial Representation: If settlement discussions fail, our firm is ready to present your case in court.
Hiring a slip-and-fall attorney in Buffalo protects you from being pressured into a low settlement, from insurers ignoring hidden complications, and from leaving long-term needs unaddressed. We make sure each decision accounts for how your injuries affect work, daily life, and independence. You remain informed at every stage, and your questions are answered with clear guidance grounded in your unique circumstances.
What Injuries Can Be Compensated in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip-and-fall accidents in Buffalo can cause serious injuries, even if they appear minor at first. The region’s icy sidewalks, frozen steps, and hard surfaces make fractures, sprains, and head injuries more common during the winter months.
New York law allows victims to seek compensation for injuries that result from another party’s negligence, including both immediate and long-term consequences. Common injuries eligible for compensation include:
- Wrist or ankle fractures
- Shoulder dislocations
- Hip fractures
- Soft tissue damage
- Herniated discs
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic pain conditions
- Facial injuries from direct impact
- Knee damage requiring prolonged therapy
These conditions can interfere with walking, lifting, driving, sleeping, or working. Many require months of rehabilitation, and some result in lasting limitations. Your claim must reflect this long-term reality, not only the initial treatment.
Our attorneys understand New York premises liability rules, including property owner duties and notice requirements, and can counter arguments that your injury was pre-existing or partially your fault.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims
New York limits the amount of time an injured person has to initiate a lawsuit. If you think you were injured because of someone’s negligence, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you lost a loved one in a slip-and-fall accident, and someone else is to blame, you have two years from their date of death in which to file a wrongful death suit. If you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has passed, your case will likely be immediately dismissed.
Acting fast is key, so call us today if you need representation because of a slip-and-fall injury. We will meet with you for a free, no-obligation consultation to review the details of your case and discuss your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you’ll find guidance on common concerns, from what to do immediately after a fall to how long claims take. For additional information, read through our FAQ guide or contact a slip and fall accident lawyer at our firm today.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall?
After a slip and fall in Buffalo, seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor, as issues like concussions or soft tissue damage may appear later. Document the scene with photos, collect witness information, and report the incident to property owners or management.
Keep detailed records of treatment, prescriptions, and missed work. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting a Buffalo slip and fall attorney, as insurers may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame. Acting quickly preserves evidence, meets legal deadlines, and strengthens your claim for both immediate and long-term damages.
Who is liable for a slip and fall accident in Buffalo?
Liability in a slip and fall case depends on whether the property owner or manager failed to address unsafe conditions that led to your injuries. Many people initially blame themselves, but responsibility often falls on business owners, landlords, or property managers who knew about hazards and did nothing to fix them, warn visitors, or block access.
Slip-and-fall lawyers evaluate liability by examining the circumstances of the accident and determining whether the property owner acted reasonably. To establish negligence, your attorney must show three things:
- A dangerous condition existed and caused your fall and injuries
- The property owner did not repair the hazard or provide an adequate warning
- The owner knew, or should have known, about the unsafe condition and failed to take reasonable steps to keep the property safe
Property owners and managers have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If your lawyer can prove these elements, you may have grounds for a successful personal injury claim.
Where do slip and fall accidents most often occur in Buffalo, NY?
Slip-and-fall accidents in Buffalo often happen on surfaces affected by snow, ice, or poor maintenance. Slips and falls in a store frequently occur when spills, tracked-in slush, or wet floors are not cleaned promptly. Parking lots near malls, offices, and apartment complexes become hazardous when the pavement is uneven or when winter conditions are ignored. Workplaces experience incidents from wet entryways, cluttered walkways, or worn flooring. Private homes can also be dangerous when steps, porches, or floors aren’t properly maintained. These locations consistently produce avoidable hazards when property owners fail to address unsafe conditions.
How much are most slip and fall settlements in Buffalo?
Settlement amounts for slip-and-fall accidents in Buffalo vary widely based on injury severity, long-term medical needs, lost wages, and the circumstances of the accident. Minor injuries may result in smaller settlements, while fractures, head injuries, or permanent limitations can lead to significantly higher compensation. For example, local cases have reported settlements and awards such as:
- $1.85 million for a serious slip on an icy surface
- $1.65 million through arbitration for a fall on ice
- $1.2 million for a client injured by a broken railing
- $440,000 for an ankle fracture in a mall parking lot
- $615,000 for a knee injury from ice in an apartment lot
These examples illustrate that compensation can range from several hundred thousand dollars to over a million, depending on the extent of injuries, medical costs, and evidence of negligence. Your attorney will evaluate your case, document hazards, and calculate damages to pursue a settlement that reflects the true impact of your injuries.
Are property owners responsible for preventing winter slip and falls in Buffalo?
Yes. Property owners are responsible for preventing winter slip-and-falls in Buffalo. This includes clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, spreading sand or ashes for traction, and maintaining gutters and drains. Even if the city does not remove hazards, property owners can still be held liable for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions.
How long does it take to settle for a slip and fall?
The timeline for a Buffalo slip-and-fall case depends on the injury severity, liability issues, and whether the claim can be negotiated or must go to court. Cases with minor injuries and clear liability often resolve within 6 to 12 months. More serious injuries, ongoing medical treatment, or disputed fault can extend the process to 12–24 months or longer.
If negotiations fail, the case may proceed to trial. Court preparation adds additional time, but trial readiness often strengthens settlement negotiations.
How much does it cost to hire a Buffalo slip and fall accident attorney?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, partnering with a Buffalo slip-and-fall attorney carries no upfront cost. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
