Jeff Varcadipane
March 2, 2026

Shopping malls in Bergen County draw millions of visitors each year, and the Garden State Plaza in Paramus and the Bergen Town Center in Paramus are among the busiest retail destinations in New Jersey. While most shoppers arrive looking for a good deal or a meal at the food court, some leave with far more than they bargained for, a painful slip and fall injury that can change their life in an instant.
Who Is Responsible When Someone Falls at a New Jersey Mall?
Mall owners and property managers in New Jersey have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for shoppers. Hazardous conditions, such as a wet floor near a food court or a broken tile near a store entrance, can create legal liability if the property owner knew or should have known about the danger. In that case, responsibility may fall on the mall, a store tenant, or both, as New Jersey’s premises liability law gives injured shoppers grounds for a negligence lawsuit.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Mall Slip and Falls?
Spills near restaurant areas and food courts are among the most frequent causes of mall falls, as high foot traffic increases the chances that a hazard goes unnoticed for too long. Freshly mopped floors without proper signage, uneven flooring near store thresholds, damaged escalator steps, and icy or wet pavement in parking lots, particularly at large outdoor sections like those at Bergen Town Center, also rank among the leading causes.
How Dangerous Are Slip and Fall Accidents for Seniors?
Slip and fall accidents carry especially serious consequences for older adults. According to the CDC, approximately 3 million older adults visit emergency departments each year because of fall-related injuries, and falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in this age group. More than one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, yet fewer than half report it to their doctor. Perhaps most concerning, falling once doubles the likelihood of falling again.
What Injuries Can a Mall Slip and Fall Cause?
A fall on a hard mall floor can result in injuries ranging from bruises and sprains to fractured bones and traumatic brain injuries. Hip fractures are particularly common among older adults, often requiring surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, while head injuries can have lasting neurological effects. Even seemingly minor falls may cause soft tissue damage that becomes chronic, so a prompt medical evaluation after any fall is important.
Frequently Asked Questions: Slip and Falls in Bergen County
Can a Mall Be Held Responsible if There Were No Warning Signs Near a Wet Floor?
The absence of warning signs can support a negligence claim, as property owners are required to warn shoppers of known hazards. Whether liability attaches depends on how long the hazard existed and whether staff had a reasonable opportunity to address it.
Does It Matter if the Fall Happened Inside the Mall or in the Parking Lot?
Both areas fall under the mall’s duty of care, although different parties may be responsible depending on who manages the parking structure. Liability in parking lot falls often involves snow and ice removal obligations under New Jersey law.
What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Fall?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means an injured party can still recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault. The total compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured person.
Get Justice After Your Mall Fall — Our Bergen County Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C. Are Ready to Fight for You
Were you injured in a mall slip and fall accident? Contact Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C. Call 201-588-1500 or complete our online form today for a free consultation with a Bergen County slip and fall accident lawyer. We serve clients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and have offices conveniently located in Manhattan, Paramus, and Jacksonville.
Jeffrey W. Varcadipane
Jeffrey W. Varcadipane is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey and a Founding Partner of the Firm. He handles a variety of matters including civil and commercial litigation, appellate practice, real estate, and business law.
University: J.D. Fordham Law School
Bar Number: 29472005
Locations: New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
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