Broken & Uneven Sidewalk Fall Accidents In New York: What Can You Do?

Each year, countless people are injured due to tripping and falling on an uneven or broken sidewalk in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Westchester County. While these falls may simply appear to be unfortunate accidents, that’s not necessarily the case. A legal doctrine known as “premises liability” dictates that property owners must maintain the safety of their properties. Broken or uneven sidewalks in New York are an obvious hazard, and property owners both public and private may be held accountable for accidents that occur due to their negligence.

Speak With A Lawyer To Learn Your Legal Options For Justice

The experienced slip and fall lawyers at Banville Law have represented New York accident victims for decades. In that time, our injury attorneys have secured numerous verdicts and settlements for our clients, holding property owners, the City of New York, and the State of New York liable for failing to maintain reasonably safe premises.

Were you injured on a New York sidewalk? Did you trip over a broken flagstone, fall in a pothole, or slip on a slippery substance? We will seek the maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our law offices today and begin pursuing the justice you deserve.

Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers Serve:

• NYC slip and fall accident lawyers
• Woodbury, Long Island NY slip and fall accident lawyers
• Mount Vernon slip and fall accident lawyers
• White Plains slip and fall accident lawyers

Who Has Responsibility For Maintaining Sidewalks?

In many cases, sidewalks on which fall down accidents in New York occur are technically owned by the City of New York or New York State. Unfortunately, governmental agencies like NYC enjoy numerous legal protections that individual property or business owners do not.

In certain cases, this means that responsibility for the conditions of a sidewalk falls not on the government, but on an adjacent property owner. In these circumstances, a business or homeowner in possession of property near the sidewalk may be held liable for a sidewalk fall accident victim’s injuries.

In rare instances, the City of New York or New York State is responsible for the hazardous conditions of NYC sidewalks. Filing a claim against a governmental agency requires the expertise of an experienced, aggressive lawyer who is aware of the advanced notice requirements that must be given to the agency. If you were injured on city or state property, you may have a case and, if so, you will need to act immediately.

Common Pavement and Walkway Accident Causes

There are many potential hazards that could cause a victim to fall on a sidewalk. Some common examples include:

• Ice, sleet, or snow that has yet to be cleared
• An uneven or cracked surface that has yet to be repaired
• Some sort of obstruction, such as trash waiting to be cleared, that could cause one to trip
• A spill of some sort that creates a slippery surface
• A pothole in a sidewalk

What Can I Recover Compensation For In A Claim?

Injury victims may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and “non-economic damages,” like pain and suffering.

But cases of premises liability are governed by strict statutes of limitation, requiring swift action and a comprehensive understanding of a fall victim’s legal options. We always offer our legal services on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation in your case. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Continue reading: Can You Sue The MTA Or Other New York Transport Agencies For Falls On Public Transport?