New York City offers many hazards that can lead to slip and fall accidents.
Here are some of the most common accidents we’ve handled in our office.
Icy Street Slips
New York winters are infamous for creating icy sidewalks and slippery streets. Unfortunately, neither the city nor various property owners within the city are usually as vigilant as they should be about addressing ice and snow.
That’s not to say every ice and snow slip leads to a lawsuit. Property owners do have a grace period to address snow and ice concerns; if they are within that grace period, they were not negligent.
Neglected Pavement
Most New Yorkers get where they need to go by walking. Unfortunately, that means most New Yorkers have ample opportunity to come into contact with neglected sidewalks.
Cracks, gaps, and uneven surfaces pose significant risks, especially at night when visibility becomes challenging.
Spills and Leaks
Wet floors, spilled drinks, and puddles tracked in from outside. All of these can cause slip hazards.
While businesses are given a reasonable amount of time to clean up these hazards, and are off the hook if they can demonstrate they have a regular process that makes hazard clean-ups and the posting of warnings routine, they can be held accountable if they just leave an unmarked wet spot to sit there where it might cause a tumble for an unwary customer.
A Few Recent Slip and Fall Cases in New York City
One New York City woman received $2.25 million after falling on a defective sidewalk outside a clinic owned by New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. The hospital had received notice of its sidewalk issues three years before the injury.
In 2007, another woman received $1.5 million for slipping and falling on ice that the city was responsible for outside her home.
Though not a New York case, the recent $8 million Burger King slip and fall lawsuit is also worth mentioning.
Get Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, you must move quickly to secure compensation. If you’re suing New York City, there are strict deadlines you must meet before the case can move forward.
If you’re suing a business, you’ll need to move quickly to get your hands on vital evidence. We recommend calling our offices as soon as you are medically capable of doing so.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation today. If you’ve gotten hurt because someone else was negligent, we’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.
See also:
Understanding Slip and Fall Lawsuits in New York City
Steps to Take After a Personal Injury Accident in New York
The Importance of Documenting Your New York Personal Injury Claim