Wantagh Park Accident Attorney
For decades, Wantagh Park has been a popular place for Long Islanders to enjoy the great outdoors in Nassau County. Wantagh Park is known for its beautiful waterfront view and its 111 acres of land designed for public gatherings and recreation. But like any park, there is always a risk of injury when visiting.
The hardworking personal injury attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner have decades of experience helping injured Long Islanders get the compensation they deserve.
Types of Accidents at Wantagh Park
With so many activities happening every day at Wantagh Park, there a bunch of different ways an accident could occur. Here are some examples of the most common types of Wantagh Park accidents we have handled:
Slip/Trip & Fall Accidents
Cuts, broken bones, or worse can occur from a nasty slip and fall accident. Sometimes, these accidents are just that — accidents in which no one is at fault. However, this is not always true. In certain situations, you may be eligible to file a claim to recover for your trip and fall accident. These include falls caused by:
- Uneven or poorly maintained sidewalks, jogging paths, stairs, and fields
- Obstacles and obstructions, such as trash or fallen trees
- Snow, sleet, or ice on walkways
- Slippery surfaces caused by spills or standing water
Faulty Equipment Accidents
Nassau County has a legal responsibility to properly maintain the recreation equipment and structures in Wantagh Park. If you or your children are injured as the result of broken or poorly maintained equipment in the park, you may be entitled to recovery with the help of a Wantagh park injury attorney. Examples of dangerous park equipment include:
- Broken playground equipment
- Damaged sports areas and courts (e.g., tennis, baseball, basketball, bocce & horseshoes)
- Faulty barbecue equipment
- Damaged shelter or picnic areas
Pool Accidents
The swimming areas at Wantagh Park include an Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool, a kiddie pool, a training pool, an interactive water-play area, and two 30-foot water slides. These multiple pool areas create the potential for many different types of pool accidents including:
- Slip and falls near the pool
- Diving board injuries
- Pool chemical burns
- Drownings or near-drownings
Establishing Liability
Liability can be complicated, because even though the accident occurred on the park’s grounds, the county may not be liable. Depending on who or what caused your accident, either Nassau County or an individual park visitor may be liable for your damages.
For example, if you are the victim of a dog attack in the park, it is likely that the dog’s owner will be the liable party not the county. However, if you tripped and fell while playing with a dog on the dog run, you would likely sue the county.
If you are injured while boating in the water, it is likely that another visitor, not the county will be liable.
As you can see, determining the liable party in an accident can be difficult. If you bring a claim against the wrong person, you will waste time and money or worse. You could damage your claim against the liable parties or lose your right to sue.
Do not risk losing the money you deserve, contact a Wantagh Park accident attorney. The attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner will work with you to identify the parties at fault and help you take the appropriate actions to recover damages.
Filing a Lawsuit
If a government entity like Nassau County is responsible for your injury, you must take specific steps in order to sue for damages. These steps and additional requirements necessary to sue the county are in Article 4 of the New York General Municipal Law.
First, you must file a notice of claim with Nassau County. In most circumstances, you have only 90 days to file this notice. If you miss the 90-day window, you will likely lose the chance to recover for your damages.
It is imperative that you do not delay. If you need help filing a notice of claim, Goldstein & Bashner is here to ensure that you follow the correct procedures to file notice with the county, preserving your right to sue.
After you file a notice of claim, the county has 30 days to respond. You have one year and 90 days from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit against Nassau County. The law extends the timeline to two years if you are pursuing a wrongful death claim.
Because you must move quickly against a government entity defendant and because there are several protocols and specific steps that you must take to preserve your right to sue, it is a good idea to seek legal help. If not, you could lose your right to sue over a simple misstep or technicality.
Get Help Today from a Wantagh Park Accident Attorney
Do not accept financial responsibility for an accident that occurred in Wantagh Park if you were not at fault (or even if you were partially at fault). Contact the Wantagh Park accident attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner today to preserve your right to file a lawsuit and seek full recovery for your injury. Our team will help you pursue the compensation from the person or government entity responsible for your injury.