“I suffered a slip and fall on the ice some time ago due to the negligence of a local establishment. Charles Green fought like hell for me.. 5+ stars”
All property owners, residential and commercial, have the duty to ensure safe environments for patrons, guests, and visitors. If you were hurt in a slip and fall on a city sidewalk, at a personal residence, or another property, you need a veteran attorney who understands premises liability laws in New York City.
The statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit in slip, trip, and fall cases is three years in New York State. If the municipality or city is the defendant, this deadline is shortened to just one year and 90 days, including 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. If you or a loved one is seriously injured on public or private premises, please contact Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley for a free consultation.
New York City Trip and Fall Lawyers Protecting Your Rights
A slip and fall accident can change your life in an instant. You could sustain severe injuries and face mounting medical bills, financial instability, and a permanent disability. If the accident was due to the negligence of a NYC property owner or another party, you deserve compensation for your losses.
Our team of New York slip and fall accident lawyers has been fighting for injured New Yorkers for over 50 years. Our record of success in slip and fall cases includes:
- $1.5 million for a child who fell through a playground skylight in Brooklyn.
- $2.1 million for a man who tripped on a defective street grating in Brooklyn.
- $652,000 for a supermarket employee who fell over a cart in Rockland County.
We invite you to learn how we can help you recover maximum compensation for your losses after a slip and fall or trip and fall accident in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, or anywhere in the NYC metro area.
Slip and Fall Injury Accidents Common Causes
A key aspect of a slip and fall accident claim is identifying the party whose negligence resulted in an injury or death. As noted, under New York premises liability laws, property owners are responsible for keeping their buildings, parking garages, sidewalks, and other areas safe for visitors. When they fail to meet their legal obligations, and someone is injured, they may be held liable.
Examples of negligence that can cause a slip and fall accident include:
- A spill on a supermarket floor that the property owner or manager failed to clean or post warnings.
- Ice and snow outside of storefronts and office buildings.
- Electrical cords, boxes, tools, and other hazards left out in store aisles
- Uneven walkways.
- Lack of adequate treads on stairs.
- Faulty railings in stairwells
- Inadequate lighting that makes it difficult for people to see hazardous conditions
- Defective sidewalk grates and open or malfunctioning Bilco doors
Whatever the cause of your accident, our team of New York slip and fall accident lawyers are prepared to leverage our investigative skills to identify all liable parties.
Winter Trip and Fall Accidents in NYC
New York City property owners and managers possess a legal duty to clear public walkways of snow and ice within a specific timeframe. Slip and fall hazards during winter in New York are common. Ice and snow create unsafe sidewalks, entrances, and exits in office buildings, retail establishments, restaurants, apartment buildings, and other public spaces.
In the winter, property owners bear the responsibility for clearing ice and snow from NYC sidewalks. When someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk, we assess whether they knew about the hazard or should have known about it and if they did anything to prevent people from getting hurt. If it is determined that they failed to shovel, spread ice melt, or take other preventative actions, an accident victim can file a premises liability claim.
Establishing Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
To bring a successful damages claim for a slip and fall accident, the burden is on the plaintiff (victim) to prove the following:
- The property owner or landlord had a legal obligation to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for the claimant.
- The defendant breached this duty by failing to remedy hazards or warn the claimant of unsafe conditions.
- The claimant suffered bodily injury due to the defendant’s negligent actions.
- The claimant incurred economic and non-economic losses because of the accident.
If it can be shown that the property owner should have recognized a dangerous condition and should have removed, repaired, or notified the public of the hazard–but did not do so, again, there is a valid claim for damages. The argument is that a reasonable person would have remedied and prevented the dangerous situation.
New York is a Pure Comparative Negligence Jurisdiction
Under New York’s pure comparative negligence statutes, you can still recover compensation even if the accident was partially your fault. For example, if a judge or jury found you to be 20 percent at fault because you wore inappropriate footwear, you could recover 80 percent of your damages award. So, if you are awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000.
An experienced slip and fall accident lawyer in NY can examine the circumstances of your case and rebut defense arguments that you bore a greater percentage of fault.
Compensation for NYC Slip and Fall Accident Victims
Contacting an attorney with knowledge, experience, and a track record of success from Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley will give you the best chance of securing the financial reparations you deserve. A settlement or court award may include compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- All past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Disability-related modifications
- Mental anguish
What to Do After a Fall in New York City
Take the following steps to preserve your legal rights and your health:
- Take pictures of the accident scene, including the condition of the property and the hazard that caused your accident.
- Take pictures of your injury, including bumps, bruises, cuts and abrasions.
- Seek medical treatment for your injuries. Failing to see a doctor after a slip and fall can be misconstrued by insurance companies and used to undermine the validity of your claim. You can depend on our legal team to manage all communication with insurance adjusters, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injury and regaining your health.
- Gather the contact information of potential eyewitnesses.
- If possible, file an accident report with the property owner or manager.
In addition, avoid posting images and stories of your accident on social media—sharing this information can hurt your case as insurance companies regularly scour them. You should also save the clothes you were wearing at the time of the accident.
NYC Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers You Can Count On
Whether you tripped on a broken sidewalk, lost your footing on a wet floor, or fell on a dilapidated staircase, our personal injury law firm can assess your injury and assist you in determining whether the property owner can be held liable for your harm.
We are the law firm New Yorkers turn to when their injuries are serious, and the legal issues are complex. We treat every client with the respect and compassion they deserve and will take our time to help you understand your rights and the legal process.
Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced member of our legal team. There is no obligation to hire us. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees.
Additional “Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuit” Resources:
- SpinalCord.com – The Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries, https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/the-most-common-slip-and-fall-injuries
- National Floor Safety Institute, Quick Facts, http://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/
