What we handle
Property owners must keep their buildings, stairways, walkways and sidewalks reasonably safe. Insurance companies often blame the person who fell for "not watching where they were going." New York law puts the first responsibility on the owner to make the property safe for real people, who can be expected to misstep or miss a hazard.
Evan Goldberg has chaired Premises Liability programs for the New York State Trial Lawyers Institute and wrote the Premises Liability chapter of a New York State Bar Association treatise on personal injury actions. His results include a $2.5 million jury verdict for a tenant who slipped in her kitchen and injured her wrist. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Call (845) 545-0448 for a free consultation.
Where slip and fall accidents happen
- Apartment buildings: broken stairs, missing handrails, poor lighting, leaks
- Stores, supermarkets and restaurants: spills, debris, loose mats
- Sidewalks and parking lots: cracks, potholes, ice and snow
- Office buildings, hotels and construction areas
- Private homes and rental properties
What you have to prove
In most cases you must show the owner or manager created the dangerous condition, or knew or should have known about it in time to fix it. Photos, surveillance video, maintenance logs, prior complaints and witness statements are often the key evidence. Get them early, before they disappear.
Special rules for sidewalks and public property
- NYC sidewalks: under NYC Administrative Code §7-210, most owners of property next to a sidewalk are responsible for keeping it safe. Owner-occupied one- to three-family homes are a limited exception.
- Towns, villages and cities outside NYC often require prior written notice of a defect before they can be held liable.
- Claims against any public entity usually require a notice of claim within 90 days.
What to do after a fall
- Get medical care and tell the doctor exactly how you fell.
- Photograph the spot, your shoes and your injuries.
- Report the fall to the owner or manager, and get a copy of any report.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Don't give a recorded statement to an insurer before talking to a lawyer.
We also handle premises liability, landlord liability and assault and negligent security claims. Read about the premises liability process and slip and fall accidents in Brooklyn apartment buildings.
Serving clients across Rockland County — see our Rockland County personal injury lawyer page.
FAQ
Generally three years. If the fall happened on public property, the 90-day notice of claim deadline applies first.
New York uses comparative fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but you can still recover.
Often, yes, if the landlord failed to fix a known hazard or violated building code requirements such as handrails and lighting.
Talk to Evan about your case.
Free, confidential consultation. Home and hospital visits available.
More practice areas
Other cases we handle
Workplace Accidents
Workplace injuries in Spring Valley, Rockland County, and New York City — protecting injured workers' rights.
Car & Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, and rideshare collisions.
Construction Accidents
NY Labor Law §240 and §241 scaffold, ladder, and site-injury claims.
Undocumented Worker Injuries
Immigration status does not matter. Undocumented workers have the same right to full compensation under New York Labor Law.
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Bedsores, falls, malnutrition, medication errors, physical and emotional abuse.
Wrongful Death
Compassionate representation for families pursuing accountability.