Free Case Evaluation

Fill Out The Form Below To Find Out If You Have A Case.

    Thank you for contacting us. One of our colleagues will get back to you shortly.

    Slip and Fall Lawyers

    Whether you’re at work, shopping or simply walking down the street, slip and fall injuries are a persistent risk. According to U.S. government statistics, slip and falls account for five-percent of all workplace fatalities for women, and 11-percent of all fatalities for men. Falls are also the leading cause for all emergency room visits in the United States, accounting for more than eight million such trips annually. Slip and falls are also the primary cause of missed time from work.

    The risk from these injuries is particularly acute for older people, as hip fractures are a common outcome. Such falls can be permanently disabling, lowering the victim’s quality of life and impacting earning power.

    If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury, it’s important to understand the best course of action to take. Doing so can help ensure that any legal claim you choose to pursue is on solid ground.

    What to do if you’ve been the victim of a slip and fall injury

    Slip and falls can arise from a variety of circumstances. Common causes include poor lighting, damaged flooring, cracked or broken sidewalks or stairs, torn carpeting and liquid spills. Legal liability in these cases arises when a property owner negligently allows dangerous conditions to exist. These conditions present a risk to the public.

    Generally speaking, liability exists when a property owner creates or permits a dangerous condition to persist and unreasonably fails to remedy these risks. Liability may be assigned if the conditions existed for a long enough period that the owner should have identified and remedied the issue or actually knew of the existence of the condition. At times there may be direct evidence of such awareness on the part of the property owner or manager. Often circumstantial evidence may be used to prove such notice of the condition or the length of time that it was present without remedy. The awareness of a condition by an employee of an owner or manager such as a maintenance employee or superintendent may be imputed to his employer under the law.

    If you’ve been the victim of a slip, or trip and fall injury, of course the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention. Injuries from a fall can cause trauma which may be much worse than it initially appears. Seek a medical evaluation immediately.

    It is important that witnesses be assembled as soon as possible after the event. This includes witnesses to the fall and traumatic impact as well as people who may have knowledge of how long the condition that caused the fall was present and not corrected.

    If the superintendent had a routine of inspecting hallways and stairwells, it is important to assemble witnesses to such fact and determine if such inspections were performed on the day of the fall and whether the condition which caused the fall was present and subject to correction by the employee. The failure to correct the condition may be evidence of negligence. Such witnesses ordinarily will recall events shortly after an accident and must be located and interviewed immediately.

    There are many scenarios which may exist in a given case and each case is unique on the facts. But a common element in all situations involving a trip or slip and fall is the need to immediately assemble evidence and witnesses that will be required to prove your prospective claim.

    It’s also important to document the environment in which the fall occurred. Take note as to whether there may be a surveillance camera in the area of the accident. If so, immediate steps should be taken to ensure that such evidence is preserved. The camera may also have recorded the period of time before the accident and reveal the duration of time that the offending condition existed. An attorney may be able to take necessary steps to put a prospective defendant on notice that they must preserve such evidence. Take photos or videos of any dangerous conditions, as such visual documentation can be key in establishing liability.

    If witnesses are present, ask them for statements or contact information. You should also take care to document any expenses that arise as a result of your injury. This includes medical bills, lost wages and any expenses you incur from being unable to pursue your normal lifestyle and day-to-day activities (home modifications, transportation, in-home services, etc.).

    You should also save the clothing and shoes that were worn when the injury occurred and avoid making statements to others particularly insurance companies.

    The Frankel Law Firm has many years of experience in handling trip and slip and fall cases. If you or a loved one has been involved in such an accident, it is important to promptly seek legal advice and counsel.

    Slip & Falls FAQs

    Who is legally responsible to maintain New York City sidewalks?

    When is the City of New York responsible to maintain a sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition?

    I fell on a sidewalk in front of an owner occupied three family home that is used solely for residential purposes. Who can I sue?

    What requirements must be met in order to prevail in a law suit against the City of New York when the defective sidewalk is abutting a one-two or three family owner occupied private residential building?

    I fell because of a defective sidewalk in front of a two-family residence which is owner occupied. The house has a store on the ground floor used by a business. Who is legally responsible for the negligent condition?

    I live in an apartment building which has 60 separate apartments. I fell on a sidewalk defect in front of the building which was caused by the roots of a tree which lifted the sidewalk flag leaving the sidewalk uneven. Who is legally responsible for this defect which caused me to fall?

    The City of New York removed a fire hydrant leaving a hole in the sidewalk in front of my apartment building (the building contains more than three (3) apartments). Someone was injured when they stepped into the open hole. Who should be sued for this defect, the property owner or the City of New York.

    I was injured when I tripped on a tree root in a tree-well which I did not see and which had giant roots protruding upward within the tree well. Who is legally responsible for this defective condition?

    Does an owner occupied three family condominium qualify for the statutory exemption from liability for defects on the abutting sidewalk?

    If the abutting property owner negligently repairs a tree well area within the City of New York, do they then become legally responsible to someone for injuries caused by such repairs?

    Who is responsible in the City of New York, if a pedestrian ramp is too steep and thereby causes a pedestrian to stumble and fall?

    Image for Slip and Fall Information Page

    Verdicts & Settlements

    • $8 Million for Pedestrian Knockdown Case
    • $3 Million for Lead Poisoning Case
    • $3 Million for Pedestrian Knockdown Case
    • 2.6 Million for Lead Poisoning Case
    • 2.2 Million for Lead Poisoning Case
    • 2 Million for Lead Poisoning Case
    • 1.875 Million for Defective Product Case
    • 1.5 Million for Lead Poisoning Case
    See More Verdicts & Settlements

    CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

    Frankel Law Firm was extremely professional. They were very helpful with every step of the process, always reachable to answer questions and give excellent advice. They were a pleasure to work with!

    Adina Shapiro

    Bicycle Accident News

    Law

    Could COVID-19 Accelerate the NYC Biking Boom -- and Help Fight Covid and Climate Change in the Process?

    12 August 2020

    Law

    What Happens if I’m in an Accident While Riding a Rental Bike?

    12 August 2020

    Law

    Two More Deaths Underscore the Risks of Cycling in NYC

    11 August 2020

    Law

    Long-Sought New Bike Lane Gets the Go Ahead from Community Board

    12 August 2020

    Law

    The Hidden Danger for Cyclists on NYC Streets

    22 July 2020

    Law

    Continuing a Troubling Trend, 3rd Bronx Cyclist is Killed in Just Two Weeks

    30 June 2020

    Law

    Cyclist Dies After Collision With Brooklyn Bus

    19 May 2020

    Law

    Do Bike Lanes Really Protect Cyclists? A Closer Look

    13 May 2020

    Law

    Why Budget Cuts Could Lead to More Cycling Deaths and Injuries, Post-Pandemic

    05 May 2020

    Law

    A Guide for What to Do Next if You’ve Been Involved in a Cycling Collision

    19 March 2020

    Law

    Side-Swipe Cycling Accidents: A Serious Danger on NYC’s Streets

    16 March 2020

    Law

    Why 2019 Was an Especially Deadly Year for NYC Cyclists

    03 March 2020

    Law

    Understanding Bicycle Accident Damage Claims in New York City

    25 February 2020

    Law

    Cyclists Take Note: Lyft's E-Bikes Are Back

    24 February 2020

    Law

    Mayor Bill de Blasio Draws Fire for Proposed Cycling Safety Changes and Handling of Pedestrian Deaths

    13 September 2019

    Law

    Cyclist Critically Injured in Central Park, Raising More Questions About Bicycle Safety

    05 September 2019

    Law

    19th NYC Cyclist Killed, Raising More Safety Concerns

    18 August 2019

    Law

    Another Brooklyn Bike Accident – Mayor Urges Action

    06 August 2019

    Law

    Cycling Fatalities on the rise in NYC – Mayor orders crackdown

    26 July 2019

    Law

    Dangerous Intersections and Streets in New York City

    22 April 2019

    Law

    Coach Bus Driver Found Guilty of Violating the New York City Right of Way Law – MTA Bus Driver and Sanitation Worker Face Similar Charges – an Analysis of the Right of Way Law – What You Need to Know

    14 October 2018

    Community

    How to Beat New York Traffic? Take Up Cycling  

    12 September 2018

    Law

    How New York City is Making its Streets Safer for Cyclists

    06 September 2018

    Law

    The Big Apple's Very Best Bike Rides

    05 September 2018

    Law

    Going Cycling in New York City in 2018? Here's What You Need to Know

    25 August 2018

    Law

    A Short Guide to Safe Cycling in NYC

    20 August 2018

    Law

    New York City is Experiencing a Cycling Boom. But How Safe Are Its Streets for Cyclists?

    13 August 2018

    Law

    Cyclist Killed in Queens Accident; Total Cycling Fatalities in NYC on the Rise  

    15 June 2018
    See More Articles

    Fill out the form below to find out if you have a case.