White Plains harbors 58,109 people and 8500 businesses within its boundaries. Besides that, there is constant inflow and outflow of people from the Big Apple and elsewhere, just 25 miles from Manhattan.
White Plains has its share of activity. With such movement, you’ll get chances of injuring yourself by slipping and falling due to many reasons beyond your control. Then White Plains slip and fall lawyers have to be contacted to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Validating Your Lawyer
It always makes sense to verify everything you can about White Plains slip and fall lawyers before hiring them for the job. Asking a few questions about them will help you to gain the knowledge you need to proceed.
What Are Their Background and Credentials?
The information you must know about them includes years of experience, their relationship with the prosecutor’s counterpart/their office, frequency of negotiations, any bar association membership of theirs, and their previous clients going to trial.
This way, you will get a good idea of who you’re dealing with.
How Well Do They Understand Your Case?
Slip and fall lawyers are one of the first to learn about your case. This helps them get a good idea of the situation. They will also need to coordinate with the police in case of an investigation.
Thus, they must know the particulars of your case in fine detail. Clarify any doubts you might have about your case with them and constantly track their progress for new developments.
How Compatible Is The Case With The Law?
New York State has premises liability laws, negligence, and reasonable clauses for slip and fall accidents. This means the building owner is liable to compensate you for the negligence of maintenance that caused your fall, with prior knowledge of the same. Accepted conditions include:
- Ice, snow, and other slippery substance accumulation
- Spills of oil, water, and other such substances unchecked
- Defective Stairs
- Dangling or hidden wires and extension cords
- Broken and loose floors, steps, and tiles
- Loose rugs and carpets
- Insecure Thresholds
There’s also comparative negligence wherein your compensation is based on your share of responsibility in the fall. If above 50%, then you won’t be compensated. Then there’s the statute of limitations where if you haven’t filed a claim for your injury within three years of it, you can’t pursue the case.
Ask your lawyer where your case falls within these outlines and how best to proceed to get maximum compensation. Make sure to file your claim within the deadline.
How Well Will They Manage Your Case?
There will be background activities when lawyers deal with cases, and you should be aware of it. You must know about their availability to represent you, any substitutions, reasons for that substitution, modes and times of contact for clarification and other purposes, how quickly they’ll respond, the number of times they’re willing to appear on your behalf in court, etc.
What Is The Cost and The Payment Mode?
How much they are charging and payment modes must be discussed right at the start. Also, discuss the hourly rate, lump-sum amount before or after the case, breakdown of charges, miscellaneous charges estimates, and more at the earliest.
If you’ve suffered from any tripping injury, White Plains slip and fall lawyers need to be called and vetted soon to set things right legally.