Back in 2009, a man in New York's neighboring state of New Jersey was visiting the a museum dedicated to preserving that area's past when he slipped and fell on a stair that was hidden by leaves and debris.

He suffered injuries in the slip and fall accident and, as a result, embarked on a lawsuit that, three years later, is still not over. Hopefully, it will all be worth it for him in the end because injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents can be very painful and may have very long-lasting detrimental effects.

The man said he suffered cuts to his face and fracture both of his wrists during his fall and even today still has limited movement in his hands. In 2010, he sued both the Borough of High Bridge and the Union Forge Heritage Association, which together operate the Solitude House Museum, the historic site the man was touring. His claim is based on the idea that they did not maintain their premises in a way that assured visitors would be safe.

A judge recently dismissed the Borough of High Bridge from the man's suit, since he found that the borough's attorneys had made a good preliminary showing that there was no way the borough could be found responsible. The lawsuit will proceed against Union Forge Heritage Association.

This man's injury should illustrate that cleaning up after a slip-and-fall accident can be a time-consuming process. But in the end, some plaintiffs find it worth it because they can receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Source: Hunterdon Review, "Union Forge sued in slip-and-fall lawsuit," Camilla Somers, Jan. 31, 2012