Slip And Fall At An Atlantic City Casino

[Brooksone]

10 days ago, I was staying at the Borgota Casino in AC. After coming back inside from checking the weather(it was very nasty and rainy out), I tripped and fell onto my left knee in the entrance way. Because of the weather and foot traffic from the revolving door, the floor was wet, but there weren't any "CAUTION WET FLOOR" signs.

I assumed that I just bumped it and it was swollen so I didn't take any further action to report it. I don't have health insurance so I didn't want to have to pay an enormous fee at the hospital to get it checked out.

It's been 10 days, and I can't even bend my knee now. The swelling hasn't gone down, and I feel there may be some fluid in my knee cap. Like I said, I have been laid off from my job, and don't have health insurance and can't afford to see a doctor. How do you suggest I go about contacting the Borgota and letting them know of my injury? Is it too late?

Thanks for your help

[Shimon]

Kristen, its not too late, but its getting close.  My advice to you is to contact an accident lawyer in New Jersey and discuss the claim with him/her asap.  The answer to your question depends on the law in New Jersey for slip and fall accidents, and how bad your injuries are.  I am a Florida accident lawyer specializing in auto accidents, slip and fall, and workers compensation claims.  Laws vary from state to state so the law in Florida may be different than New Jersey.

The best advice I can give you is to speak with a accident lawyer in New Jersey that specializes in premises liability claims, i.e. slip and falls.  He can advise you what the law is in New Jersey for slip and fall accidents such as yours.

Generally, a landowner such as a hotel owes two duties to persons lawfully on the property - maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition, and to warn persons on the property of dangerous conditions that the person may not be able to appreciate themselves.  Water on the floor is a pretty common example of the hotel not maintaining the property in a reasonably safe condition.  The fact that it occurred near the revolving door, with poor weather outside, indicates the hotel either knew of the slippery floor, or definitely should have known about it.  If you can establish liability against the hotel, you should be entitled to compensation for your injury, pain and suffering, lost wages, and whatever benefits New Jersey law allows. Many people will wait to see if the injury disappears over time, but often times it does not.  You have not waited too long, but you should move quickly to have a accident attorney evaluate your claim, and to seek medical care.  Your attorney can advise you of ways to seek medical care even if you don't have health insurance.    

You should contact an attorney soon.  There are many steps your attorney should take now, i.e. notify the insurance company for the casino, find out what types of coverage are available, obtain photographs, etc, that should all be done now.  The Borgota is a large hotel/casino.  There are most likely other cases like yours which have occurred there.  If you contact an experienced accident lawyer, he/she has most likely handled a claim against the Borgota and can tell you whether an incident like yours is a common occurrence there.   

Most accident attorneys specializing in premises liability claims handle the claims on a contingent basis,i.e. their attorneys fee is a percentage of any money they recover for you, and offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss whether you have a viable case.  So, you have nothing to lose by meeting with an accident lawyer to discuss the claim.  If it has been 10 days and your knee is still swollen, you are probably going to find an accident attorney interested in pursuing your claim. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me toll free at(866) 556-5529 or visit my website at www.mauslawfirm.com.