Autumn weather brings the beauty of red, orange, and yellow to our foliage with just as perfect temperatures to enjoy it. Autumn also brings cold night temperatures, shorter days, rainier days, and piles of leaves and sticks on the ground; all of which can be the perfect combination for a New Haven slip and fall accident. By the end of the fall, we are experiencing freezing temperatures overnight. This, combined with the more frequent rain we seem to experience in during fall months, can lead to slippery walkways and parking lots. Add in the longer hours of darkness, and you have prime conditions for a New Haven slip and fall accident.  The earlier darkness also helps to obscure obstacles, pavement irregularities, and potholes – leading to trip and fall accidents.  Those colorful leaves become a real nuisance when they hit the ground.  Not only do you have to rake them up, but they can hide dangers on the ground even better than the shorter daylight hours can. All of this means that you must use more care in the fall to avoid tripping over holes, steps, frozen puddles and other traps for pedestrians that the autumn brings.  For landowners it means being ready with a rake, leaf blower, or vacuum to keep sidewalks clear of leaves.  Landowners should also have salt or sand at the ready,…continue reading

Whether you slipped in a store, or fell on a sidewalk, if you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall accident, here are the most common New Haven personal injuries you might sustain: Head injuries. A head striking the ground, curb, shelf, or other structure can cause lifelong impairments and injuries. Concussions are now classified as traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Hip and/or pelvic injuries. Broken hips and pelvis bones are most often seen in elderly patients, however individuals of any age can be affected. A serious slip and fall accident could require the need for a hip replacement surgery or a prolonged nursing home stay. Torn tendons and/or ligaments. Injuries to the tendons and ligaments are very painful and can require months of physical therapy. Even then sometimes patients never fully return to 100% mobility and usability. Neck, back and spine injuries. A slip and fall accident, even trying to CATCH yourself from falling, can cause extremely painful and difficult to treat injuries. Slipped, bulging or herniated disks can cause chronic pain and even lead to surgery or make a return to work impossible. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate this claim process. Call the attorneys at McEnery Price Messey & Sullivan to begin an immediate investigation into your injury.

Cold weather is on it’s way (eventually) and we are not the only ones enjoying the change of season. Our canine friends are also visiting parks, walking streets, and hanging outdoors and indoors with their owners. Even the most mild-mannered dogs can be aggravated enough to bite. The Humane Society advises keeping a safe distance between yourself and the dog and keep an eye out for these nine behaviors to avoid a New Haven personal injury: Tensed body Stiff tail Furrowed brow Yawning Pulled back head and/or ears Focused stare Eyes rolling so the whites are visible Flicking tongue or licking lips Backing away If you are in a situation where you believe a dog might bite, never turn your back and run away. The dog’s instinct will be to chase you. If you have suffered a dog bite, notify the dog’s owner and dog warden immediately and seek medical help. Connecticut dog bite law is a strict liability statute; meaning unless you are trespassing or are taunting/teasing the dog, the dog’s owner is liable for your New Haven personal injury. Contact the attorneys at our office to get immediate help handling your case.