New York City Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and Fall Dangers in NYC

While many dismiss slip and trip accidents as minor mishaps, the reality hits hard. New York City's aging infrastructure and crowded spaces create perfect conditions for devastating falls. Every day, fall accident victims face mounting medical bills and lost wages while insurance companies try to minimize their claims. 

The numbers reveal a disturbing pattern of serious injuries that demand immediate attention: one in five slip or trip incidents leads to severe trauma — from shattered bones to traumatic brain injury. These serious injuries often prevent victims from returning to work for extended periods.

Our NYC slip and fall attorneys have stood beside countless New Yorkers whose lives were upended by preventable accidents. We've seen how medical expenses mount while income vanishes, which is why we pour everything into securing maximum compensation for every injury claim we handle.

Main Causes Behind NYC Trips and Falls

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. When they fail in this obligation, serious fall accidents can occur. Here are the leading causes we encounter:

• Hazardous sidewalks: Cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, and poorly maintained walkways that lead to devastating falls.
• Weather-related dangers: Untreated ice and snow accumulation that property owners fail to address within required timeframes.
• Building hazards: Poor lighting, broken handrails, and deteriorating steps that create fall risks in stairwells and common areas.
• Retail negligence: Spilled liquids, merchandise in aisles, and unmarked wet floors that catch shoppers off guard.
• Construction site failures: Unmarked holes, loose materials, and insufficient barriers that endanger workers and passersby.

These hazardous conditions often result from systematic maintenance failures and cost-cutting measures by property owners.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

A fall accident can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor sprains to life-altering trauma. Our firm has helped countless New Yorkers recover compensation for injuries of all types and severity levels.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Fall?

When a slip and fall accident occurs, multiple parties may bear responsibility for your injuries:

• Property owners: Primary responsibility for maintaining safe premises and addressing hazards.
• Property management companies: Often contracted to handle maintenance and safety issues.
• Retail stores: Responsible for customer safety in stores and immediate surroundings
• Government entities: May be liable for falls on public property or sidewalks.
• Contractors: Could be responsible if their work created or contributed to dangerous conditions.
• Snow removal companies: May be liable for inadequate ice/snow treatment.
• Building tenants: Sometimes share responsibility for maintaining safe conditions.

How to File a New York Slip and Fall Claim in NYC

Building a successful fall injury claim requires careful documentation and strategic timing. Our experienced fall injury attorneys guide you through every step, from gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance company.

Proving Property Owner Negligence

Success in slip and fall cases demands clear evidence that the owner failed to uphold their duty of care. Our fall accident lawyers gather:

• Detailed documentation of hazardous conditions that caused your fall
• Security footage showing how long dangers existed
• Witness statements about previous incidents
• Expert testimony on proper maintenance standards
• Evidence of ignored maintenance requests or safety violations

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

While many fall accident victims receive settlement offers, early proposals rarely reflect full claim value. Our NYC slip and fall attorneys build compelling cases that motivate insurers to offer fair compensation rather than risk going to trial.

Critical Deadlines for Fall Injury Claims

New York generally allows three years to file slip and fall claims, but waiting can damage your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and some premises liability claims have much shorter deadlines. Government claims often require notice within 90 days.

Maximum Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims

A comprehensive fall accident claim should secure compensation for all impacts of your injuries:

• Immediate emergency care and all future medical expenses
• Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and necessary medical treatment
• Current lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Home modifications and assistive devices
• Physical pain and emotional trauma from fall injuries
• Impact on family relationships and quality of life
• Long-term care requirements for serious injuries

Our fall injury attorneys work with medical experts and life-care planners to calculate the true cost of your injuries.

How the Lawyers at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP Build Strong Cases

We employ proven strategies in slip and fall cases:

• Investigating immediately: We preserve evidence and interview witnesses before memories fade or conditions change.
• Documenting every detail: Our team analyzes maintenance records, safety logs, and similar prior incidents.
• Coordinating with medical teams: We work with your healthcare providers to fully document how fall injuries impact your life.
• Fighting insurance companies: We take on insurers that try to minimize legitimate fall accident claims.
• Preparing for trial success: Every case is built strong enough for trial, maximizing leverage in settlement talks.