Esta página ha sido redactada, editada, revisada y aprobada por Rubén Davidoff siguiendo nuestro exhaustivo directrices editoriales Rubén Davidoff, ,El socio fundador cuenta con más de 30 años de experiencia legal como abogado especializado en lesiones personales en Nueva York.
A sudden slip and fall accident in Manhattan can change your life in seconds. Whether it happens on a slick grocery store floor, a broken apartment staircase, or an icy sidewalk outside a busy office, the pain and stress after a fall can be overwhelming. You may need emergency care, long-term therapy, or even surgery. These injuries often come with rising medical bills, time away from work, and physical pain that doesn’t go away quickly.
Abogados especializados en lesiones personales de Davidoff Law helps people hurt in fall accidents across Manhattan and other areas of New York City. Our legal team understands how serious these cases can be, especially when they result in broken bones, head trauma, or lasting joint pain.
If you were hurt on someone else’s property, our lawyers can help you file a fall injury claim, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the fair compensation you deserve under New York law.
Índice
Why Slip and Fall Accidents Are Common in Manhattan
Manhattan is one of the busiest places in the country, with thousands of people walking through shops, restaurants, sidewalks, and high-rise buildings every day. With all that movement, property owners must be careful. When they fail to act, fall accidents happen, and they happen often.
Crowded Sidewalks and Building Entrances
In a city as densely populated as Manhattan, crowded sidewalks and busy building entrances are a daily reality for residents, commuters, and tourists alike. People constantly rush in and out of subways, stores, offices, and apartment buildings.
With such high foot traffic, even a small hazard like a loose brick, uneven slab, or missing handrail can cause a slip and fall accident. These areas often become especially dangerous when property owners fail to check for damage or remove obstructions. A crowded space increases the chance that someone won’t see the hazard in time to avoid a fall.
If a person is hurt in a fall accident caused by unsafe conditions in these high-traffic zones, the building owner, the city, or the maintenance company could be held responsible for fall injuries and required to pay fair compensation.
Poorly Maintained Properties and Staircases
Manhattan has a large number of older buildings, many with staircases that see heavy daily use. When property owners or residential landlords do not properly maintain these stairs, landings, and hallways, the risk of serious injuries rises significantly.
Common problems include broken steps, cracked tiles, torn carpet, or missing handrails, each of which can easily lead to a fall accident. Stairs that are not level or lack adequate lighting become especially dangerous, particularly for older adults or visitors unfamiliar with the building layout. Under New York law, owners are responsible for fixing these hazards and keeping tenants and visitors safe.
When they fail to do so, fall accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their medical bills, lost time at work, and pain caused by the incident.
Weather-Related Hazards: Ice, Snow, and Rain
Winter weather in New York City creates hazardous conditions across sidewalks, steps, and building entrances. Rain, snow, and ice are not only unpleasant, they are major contributors to slip and fall accidents.
Ice on sidewalks, wet tiles in lobbies, and snow-covered steps pose a real danger when not cleared promptly. Owners, landlords, and maintenance crews are expected to shovel, salt, and dry their walkways and floors to prevent fall injuries. Failing to do so shows neglect, and under New York premises liability laws, that neglect can make them legally responsible for injuries.
People injured in fall accidents caused by snow and ice may need to file claims for lost wages, medical treatment, and long-term effects like back pain or neck injuries. These types of cases are common and often require help from an experienced fall lawyer who understands local safety standards.
Commercial Property Negligence in Retail and Office Spaces
Stores, restaurants, office buildings, and other commercial spaces in Manhattan must maintain safe conditions for everyone who walks through their doors. Sadly, many slip and fall accidents occur because staff fail to clean up a spill, mark a wet floor, or repair damaged flooring.
In these cases, commercial property negligence is to blame, and victims may be able to seek financial compensation through a fall lawsuit. Under personal injury law, property owners must take reasonable steps to avoid harming others.
When they ignore safety, such as leaving slick surfaces unmarked or failing to replace broken tiles, the law allows accident victims to take action. If you’ve been hurt due to unsafe conditions in a business or office space, a personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence, document the accident scene, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and related losses.
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Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
In many slip and fall cases, the cause is something simple and preventable. Owners or workers didn’t clean up, fix a problem, or warn visitors. These mistakes often lead to painful injuries and the need for legal action.
- Wet or Slippery Floors With No Warning Signs: Whether it’s a wet floor in a bathroom or spilled water in a lobby, failing to place a warning sign is a serious safety issue. Falls on slick surfaces can cause serious injuries, especially for older adults.
- Uneven Pavement, Loose Carpeting, or Broken Tiles: Sidewalk cracks, loose rugs, and missing tiles are small hazards that cause big problems. Property owners must fix these quickly. When they don’t, a slip and fall lawyer can help prove they were the at fault party.
- Poor Lighting in Stairwells or Hallways: Poor lighting makes it hard to see hazards. If someone trips or misses a step because they couldn’t see it, the owner may be responsible. These are common issues in apartment buildings and stairwells across New York City.
- Spills in Grocery Stores, Restaurants, or Lobbies: Food, drinks, and cleaning fluids should be cleaned up fast. When spills sit for too long, someone almost always gets hurt. That’s why many fall lawyer cases begin in places like supermarkets and office buildings.
Typical Injuries in Slip and Fall Cases
Some people get up with only minor bruises. Others suffer injuries that last for months or even the rest of their lives. Some of the most common injuries in a slip and fall accident include:
Huesos rotos y fracturas
Broken bones in the wrist, arm, hip, or ankle are common in falls, especially for older adults. These often require surgery, time off work, and ongoing medical treatment. These costs can be included in a fall settlement.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
When the head hits a hard surface, the result can be a concussion or even a lesión cerebral traumática. Victims may suffer memory loss, dizziness, or long-term cognitive problems. These are among the most serious fall accident injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Pain
Some victims experience spinal cord injuries or back pain after landing on stairs or uneven ground. These injuries may not be obvious at first but can grow worse over time and affect mobility or work ability.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Chronic Joint Damage
Sprains, torn ligaments, and swollen joints are very common in fall accident cases. Some victims deal with chronic knee, shoulder, or ankle pain for months, which can require physical therapy or even surgery.
Who May Be Liable for Your Slip and Fall Injury?
Determining who is legally responsible for your slip and fall accident depends on where the incident happened and who was in charge of keeping that space safe. Different parties may owe a duty to fix hazards, provide warnings, or maintain the property.
Whether it’s a commercial space, apartment complex, or public sidewalk, the at fault party can be held accountable under New York law.
Commercial Property Owners and Tenants
If your fall happened in a business (such as a store, restaurant, or office) then the commercial property owner or the business tenant may be responsible. These parties are required to inspect their premises regularly, address dangerous conditions like wet floors, broken tiles, or icy steps, and ensure public safety.
If they fail to fix known problems or warn visitors, they can be held liable under personal injury law. Victims injured in fall accidents on else's property have the right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the negligence of business owners or tenants.
Residential Landlords and Management Companies
If your fall happened in an apartment building, the landlord or the property management company may be to blame. These parties are responsible for keeping common areas like hallways, staircases, and entryways safe.
Failing to repair broken steps, replace worn carpet, or clear snow and ice can lead to fall injuries. When landlords ignore their legal duty to maintain these areas, they can be sued in a slip and fall lawsuit. A skilled fall attorney can help hold these parties accountable and work to get you fair compensation for your losses.
The City of New York
If you slipped on a sidewalk, subway entrance, or other area owned or controlled by the government, the City of New York may be legally responsible. However, suing the city comes with strict deadlines and special rules that don’t apply to private property cases.
You must notify the city quickly and provide strong proof of negligence. An experienced fall lawyer can help you meet the legal requirements, gather the necessary evidence, and take legal action. With help from a skilled legal team, you can fight for a fair acuerdo even when the city is the at fault party.
New York Premises Liability Laws
If you slip and fall on someone else’s property in New York, there are certain laws that may affect your case. These laws decide if the property owner was careless and if you have the right to ask for money. The rules also explain how long you have to file your claim and what can happen if more than one person is blamed.
Duty of Care Owed to Lawful Visitors
Under New York law, property owners and businesses must keep their spaces safe for people who are allowed to be there. This includes visitors, customers, and tenants. If the owner knows, or should know, about a danger and does nothing to fix it, they may be responsible for any injuries.
Whether you are at a store, office, apartment building, or restaurant, the owner must fix wet floors, broken steps, and other dangers that may cause a slip and fall accident. If they fail, a slip and fall lawsuit can be filed to help you recover compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
Comparative Negligence and Shared Fault
Sometimes, more than one person is partly responsible for a fall. In New York, the law follows a rule called "negligencia comparativa." That means if you are also partly at fault. For example, if you were looking at your phone, you can still get money, but less of it. Your slip and fall case will look at how much blame each person shares.
If a jury finds you 30% at fault and the property owner 70% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your share. This law can affect how much fair compensation you receive, so it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in NY
New York gives you a time limit to file a fall accident claim. You usually have tres años from the day you were hurt. But if the accident happened on city-owned property, like a sidewalk or subway station, you may have to file a notice with the City of New York within just 90 days.
Missing this deadline can mean losing your chance to recover any compensation, no matter how bad the injuries are. That’s why it’s important to talk to a New York City slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney can make sure everything is filed the right way and on time.
How a Manhattan Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
A skilled New York City slip and fall lawyer can help you hold the right people accountable. They’ll guide you through the legal system and help you protect your rights from start to finish.
1. Investigate the Accident and Preserve Evidence: Your lawyer will visit the accident scene, collect photos, talk to witnesses, and request inspection logs. These steps are critical to proving fault and building a strong fall case.
2. Prove the Property Owner’s Negligence: Your lawyer will show that the owner failed to act responsibly and that their mistake directly caused your injury. This is key to winning a slip and fall lawsuit.
3. Handle All Communication With Insurers: Dealing with the insurance company can be stressful. Your lawyer will speak to the adjusters, provide your medical bills, and push for a fair settlement so you can focus on healing.
4. Fight for a Settlement or Go to Trial if Necessary: Many cases settle, but if the offer is too low, your lawyer can take your fall accident case to court. Their goal is always to help you receive fair compensation for everything you’ve lost.
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Preguntas frecuentes
1. What should I do if I was recently injured in a slip and fall accident?
If you were recently injured in a New York slip and fall accident, it’s important to report the accident immediately to the property owner or manager. You should also seek medical attention and take photos of the scene if possible. The sooner you contact experienced slip and fall accident lawyers, the better your chances of protecting your legal rights.
2. Can I file a personal injury claim even if I’m partly at fault?
Yes. In New York, you can still file personal injury claims even if you are partly to blame for the accident. The amount of compensation you may receive depends on how much of the accident was your fault. This is why many NYC slip and fall attorneys focus on proving that the property owner failed to fix a hazard.
3. How much compensation can I recover after a slip and fall injury?
There is no set number for how much compensation you can receive. It depends on many things like how badly you were hurt, your medical bills, and lost income from missing work. A skilled attorney from an NYC slip and fall law firm can review your case and explain what you may be able to recover.
4. Will the insurance company pay for all my damages?
Not always. An insurance company may try to pay you less than what your case is really worth. They might question your injuries or say you were at fault. This is why having a lawyer who handles personal injury lawsuits can help. They know how to deal with insurance adjusters and fight for fair compensation.
5. Is a slip and fall lawyer different from a car accident attorney?
Yes, though both may handle personal injury claims, a car accident attorney usually deals with car crashes, while experienced slip and fall accident lawyers focus on cases involving unsafe property conditions. These include common slip and fall accidents in stores, sidewalks, stairwells, and apartment buildings.
Contact Our Manhattan Slip and Fall Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident anywhere in Manhattan, do not wait to speak with a lawyer. Property owners, businesses, or the City of New York may be held responsible for unsafe conditions that caused your injury. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term pain.
Abogados especializados en lesiones personales de Davidoff Law treats your case with personal attention. Our legal team has years of experience handling serious personal injury claims in New York. We fight insurance companies that try to deny or delay claims. We focus on getting results and helping you recover compensation that truly reflects what you’ve lost.
Your consultation is 100% free. There are no fees unless we win your case. If you’re ready to work with a law firm that puts you first, contact our Manhattan slip and fall lawyer today.
Rubén Davidoff, fundador de Davidoff Law, estableció su despacho en 2012 tras mudarse a Queens en 1988 y comenzar su carrera jurídica en 1997. Admitido en el estado de Nueva York y en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Este de Nueva York, cuenta con una amplia experiencia en lesiones personales, habiendo llevado diversos casos como accidentes aéreos, accidentes automovilísticos y casos de resbalones, tropiezos y caídas. El Sr. Davidoff ofrece una atención personalizada y ha recuperado millones para sus clientes a través de acuerdos o veredictos, aprovechando sus décadas de experiencia.
