Slip & Fall Attorney in New Haven

Injured in a Slip & Fall in the New Haven Area?

A sudden fall on a wet floor, broken step, or icy walkway can leave you with serious injuries and more questions than answers. You may be dealing with pain, medical appointments, and time away from work, all while wondering if the property owner should have prevented what happened. If your slip and fall happened in or around New Haven, our team at Zayas Law Firm is here to help you understand your options.

We focus our entire practice on personal injury cases, including falls caused by unsafe property conditions. With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, we know how Connecticut law treats slip and fall claims and what evidence can make a difference. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay upfront fees to talk with us about your situation.

Make them answer for it. Call (860) 854-9156 for a free case review today. Hablamos español. 

Why Injured People Choose Our Firm for Slip & Fall Claims

When you are trying to recover from a fall, you need more than general legal information. You need a team that concentrates on helping injured people and understands how a slip and fall can affect your health, income, and family. At Zayas Law Firm, we focus only on personal injury law, which means all of our time and resources are directed toward cases like cases like yours.

Our attorneys bring more than five decades of combined experience handling injury matters across Connecticut. We have seen many different fall scenarios, from apartment stairways with broken railings to grocery store aisles with spills left on the floor. This background helps us evaluate what happened to you and spot details that may prove a property owner did not keep the area reasonably safe.

We also know that clear communication is just as important as legal knowledge. Our team includes some of the largest Hispanic and Spanish-speaking attorneys in the state, and we routinely assist clients who prefer to discuss their case in Spanish. Whether you are more comfortable in English or Spanish, we take the time to listen, answer questions, and explain the process in everyday language.

Cost is a common concern after a fall, especially if you are missing work. That is why we use a contingency fee structure. You do not pay us upfront, and our fee is collected only if there is a recovery at the end of the case. This allows you to consider pursuing a claim without adding more financial stress at an already difficult time.

Do You Have a Slip & Fall Case Under Connecticut Law?

Many people blame themselves after a fall, even when a dangerous condition was present. Under Connecticut law, property owners, landlords, and businesses generally have a duty to use reasonable care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. When they fail to correct a hazard or warn about it, and someone is hurt, there may be grounds for a premises liability claim.

Key questions often include how long the hazard existed and whether the owner or occupier had a fair chance to find and fix it. For example, a spill in a supermarket aisle that has been there long enough for employees to notice, or broken steps in an apartment building that tenants have reported several times, may support a claim that the owner did not act reasonably. A hazard that appeared moments before your fall can raise different issues. These are fact-specific questions that we review carefully with our clients.

It is also common for insurance companies or property owners to argue that you were not watching where you were going. Connecticut law allows a court to consider each person’s share of responsibility. This does not automatically prevent you from seeking compensation, and it is one reason why early legal advice can be important. We can evaluate the circumstances with you, so you do not have to make that judgment alone based on what the insurer is saying.

Another important factor is timing. Connecticut sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from falls. The specific deadline that applies can depend on the facts of your case and who is involved, such as a private business versus a government entity. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to pursue a claim. During a consultation, we can review when your fall occurred and discuss how the statute of limitations may apply.

Every situation is different, and not every fall leads to a claim. Our role is to look at the condition of the property, your injuries, and the available evidence, then help you understand whether it appears that the property owner or another party may be legally responsible under Connecticut law.

What To Do After a Slip & Fall in This Area

Right after a fall, you may feel embarrassed or want to leave the scene as quickly as possible. Taking a few careful steps, when you are able, can protect both your health and your potential claim. Even if some time has already passed, there are still actions you can take now.

Your health should come first. Seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some problems, such as head injuries, back injuries, or ligament tears, may not show full symptoms right away. A prompt medical evaluation helps you get proper treatment and also creates a record tying your injuries to the incident.

It is also helpful to report the fall to the person or business in charge of the property. This could be a store manager, a landlord, or a property management company. Ask that an incident report be prepared and request a copy for your records if one is available. When you describe what happened, focus on the facts and avoid speculating about fault.

Steps That Can Help Protect Your Rights

If it is safe for you to do so, try to document the scene. Photos or video of the area can be important, especially if the hazard can be repaired or cleaned up quickly. Images of wet floors, torn carpeting, uneven pavement, or icy walkways help show what caused your fall. It can also be useful to keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing, since these items may become evidence later.

Witness information is another valuable piece of the picture. If anyone saw you fall or noticed the unsafe condition before it happened, ask for their names and contact details. Even a brief statement from a witness can help clarify what occurred when the property owner or insurer disputes your version of events.

Insurance companies sometimes contact injured people soon after a fall to request a statement or offer a quick settlement. Before you provide a detailed recorded statement or sign any documents, it can be wise to talk with a lawyer. What you say early on can affect how your claim is handled. When you contact our team, we can review what has already happened, advise you about future communications, and explain how we may be able to help.

How Our Slip & Fall Lawyers Help Clients in Connecticut

Handling a slip and fall claim on your own can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover physically and manage everyday responsibilities. Our goal is to guide you through each step of the process, so you do not have to navigate it alone. As a slip and fall lawyer New Haven residents can turn to, we work to make the legal side more manageable.

When you contact us, we start by listening to your story and asking questions about where and how the fall occurred. We review any photos, incident reports, medical records, and correspondence that you have collected. From there, we work to identify who may be responsible, which could include a property owner, a tenant, a maintenance company, or another party involved in managing the premises.

Investigation is an important part of many cases. Depending on the circumstances, we may seek additional records, request relevant documents from the property owner, or look for any available surveillance footage. Our focus is to build a clear picture of the conditions at the time of the fall and how those conditions connect to your injuries.

Support Throughout the Claims Process

Another key role we play is dealing with insurance companies on your behalf. Once we are involved, we can handle most communications with insurers and defense attorneys, including correspondence and settlement discussions. This allows you to focus on medical treatment and your day-to-day life instead of fielding calls and letters about the claim.

We also pay close attention to the full impact of your injuries. That may include medical expenses, lost wages, and the way pain, limitations, or long-term effects change your work and home life. We use this information when we negotiate with insurers or, when appropriate, when we prepare a case for court. As a Hartford-based firm that regularly appears in Connecticut courts, we understand the procedures and requirements involved if a lawsuit becomes necessary.

Throughout the process, we make it a priority to keep you updated and to be available for questions. Our attorneys and staff communicate in both English and Spanish, which helps many clients and families feel more comfortable discussing sensitive details and important decisions.

Common Slip & Fall Injuries & Their Impact on Daily Life

Slip and fall incidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may seem minor at first but grow more serious over time. Understanding the kinds of injuries that often occur can help you see why it is important to take your symptoms seriously and to seek appropriate care.

Injuries We Commonly See After Falls

Many people suffer broken bones in the wrist, arm, ankle, or hip when they fall. Others experience sprains, torn ligaments, or muscle injuries that limit movement and cause significant pain. Back and neck injuries are also common, particularly when a person twists or lands awkwardly, and these can lead to long-term discomfort or nerve problems.

Head injuries are a special concern. A fall that causes your head to strike the floor, a step, or another object can result in a concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, or mood changes that interfere with work, school, or family life. Even a seemingly mild head injury deserves prompt medical attention.

The physical harm from a fall often leads to financial and emotional strain. Medical bills can add up quickly, especially if you need imaging, physical therapy, or surgery. Time away from work can reduce your income at the same time, and some people are unable to return to the same job or the same number of hours they worked before. On top of that, ongoing pain and limitations can affect sleep, hobbies, and relationships.

A slip and fall claim is one way to seek compensation for these losses from the parties who failed to maintain safe conditions. When we evaluate your case, we look not only at your immediate medical costs, but also at how the injury may affect your life going forward. Our goal is to present a full and accurate picture of what the fall has cost you, so any resolution of the case takes those realities into account.

Serving New Haven Residents With a Connecticut-Based Personal Injury Team

Although our office is in Hartford, we regularly represent people who were hurt in incidents across Connecticut, including those whose falls happened in and around New Haven. Many of these cases involve familiar local settings, such as older multi-story apartment buildings, retail centers with heavy foot traffic, schools, or office complexes. Each type of property can present its own hazards if it is not maintained with reasonable care.

In this part of Connecticut, the weather can also play a role. During the winter months, ice and snow on sidewalks, stairs, and parking lots can create serious slip hazards when they are not properly treated. At other times of year, rainwater tracked indoors or spills left on floors can be just as dangerous. We are familiar with the way these conditions arise and with how property owners are expected to respond.

Slip and fall claims that arise from incidents in this city and the surrounding communities are typically handled under Connecticut law and may proceed through courts that serve New Haven County if a lawsuit is filed. Because our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury matters in this state, we are accustomed to working within the Connecticut court system and with insurers that regularly handle claims from this area.

We know that travel and mobility can be challenging after a fall. To make things easier, we can arrange consultations by phone or video when in-person visits are difficult. When clients prefer to meet face to face, we work with them to find a convenient time. Throughout, our bilingual team supports both English and Spanish-speaking clients so that communication is clear and comfortable for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a slip and fall case in Connecticut?

A good starting point is to look at why you fell and whether a dangerous condition on the property contributed to your injuries. Under Connecticut law, owners and those in control of property generally have a duty to use reasonable care to keep the premises safe for visitors. If they knew or should have known about a hazard such as a spill, broken stair, loose railing, or icy walkway and did not fix it or warn visitors, there may be grounds for a claim.

Other factors include where the incident occurred, whether you were lawfully on the property, and whether your own actions played a role. Even if you are unsure about these points, it is usually better to talk with a lawyer before deciding you do not have a case. During a consultation, we can discuss what happened, review any evidence you have collected, and give you a clearer picture of whether a premises liability claim may be available under Connecticut law.

What will it cost to hire your firm for my slip and fall?

You do not pay upfront fees to have our team review your slip and fall case. At Zayas Law Firm, we use a contingency fee structure for personal injury matters. That means our fee is a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you through a settlement or court result, and it is typically collected at the end of the case.

If there is no recovery, you generally do not owe an attorney's fee. This approach allows injured people to pursue claims without having to come up with payment at a time when they may already be facing medical bills and lost wages. During your consultation, we explain how our fee arrangement works in more detail, so you can decide whether it feels right for you.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim here?

Connecticut law sets specific time limits, called statutes of limitations, for filing personal injury lawsuits, including those involving falls. The exact deadline that applies can depend on factors such as when the injury occurred and whether the claim involves a private property owner or a government-related entity. If you miss the deadline, you may lose the ability to pursue your claim in court.

Will you talk to the insurance company for me?

Once you decide to hire us and we begin working on your case, we can typically handle most communications with insurance companies on your behalf. This often includes responding to adjusters, providing information about your claim, and negotiating in an effort to reach a fair resolution. Our involvement can help you avoid making statements that might be misunderstood or used against you later.

Before you have an attorney, it is common for insurers to ask for recorded statements or for you to sign forms quickly. We usually recommend that you speak with a lawyer first. When we are involved in a case, our goal is to manage these conversations in a way that protects your rights while keeping you updated on what is happening.

Can I work with your team if I prefer Spanish?

Yes. Zayas Law Firm is one of the largest Hispanic and Spanish speaking personal injury law firms in Connecticut, and we regularly assist clients and families who prefer to communicate in Spanish. Many of our attorneys and staff are bilingual, which helps us explain legal concepts clearly and answer questions in the language that feels most comfortable for you.

Language should not be a barrier to understanding your rights or the status of your case. Whether you speak English, Spanish, or both, we work to make sure you feel heard and informed throughout the process.

What should I bring to my first meeting about a slip and fall?

It can be helpful to bring any documents or information you already have related to the incident. This may include medical records or discharge papers, photos or videos of the scene, copies of incident reports, correspondence from insurance companies, and names and contact details for any witnesses. If you kept the shoes or clothing you wore during the fall, mention that as well.

Do not worry if you do not have all of these items. Many clients come to us with only a few pieces of information, or simply their own account of what happened. We can help identify what additional records may be useful and discuss how to gather them as your case moves forward.

How long does a slip and fall case usually take?

The length of a slip and fall case can vary based on several factors. These include how severe your injuries are, how long it takes to understand your medical recovery, how clearly liability can be shown, and how willing the insurance company is to negotiate. Some claims are resolved through settlement discussions without a lawsuit, while others may involve filing in court, which typically takes longer.

During our initial conversations, we can give you a general sense of the stages a case may go through and what to expect at each point. While we cannot promise a specific timeline, we work to move cases forward steadily and keep you updated, so you are not left wondering what is happening.

Talk With Our Team About Your Slip & Fall Case

After a serious fall, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what to do next. Speaking with our team at Zayas Law Firm can give you a clearer understanding of your rights and options. As a slip and fall attorney, New Haven residents and others across Connecticut can contact us. We bring more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience, a focus on injury law, and bilingual support to every case we accept.

Your consultation is free, and you do not pay upfront fees. We can review what happened, discuss how Connecticut law may apply, and explain how we work if you decide to move forward with us. Our goal is to provide the information and support you need to make the decision that is best for you and your family.

To talk with our team about your slip and fall, call (860) 854-9156 or contact us online today.