Posted: October 23, 2018
While you can sue the city for falling on the sidewalk in New York, often you don’t have to. Many people don’t realize that not all sidewalks are government-owned. In fact, most sidewalks in New York City are actually considered part of the business or property that they front.
This means that if you fall on the sidewalk in front of a grocery store or an apartment building, the grocery store owner or the landlord of the apartment may be held liable for not keeping their sidewalk in a safe condition.
There are, of course, instances where the city can be held liable for a sidewalk fall injury. It can be complex and confusing to determine which city department is responsible for that sidewalk, so we recommend calling NYC personal injury lawyer Reid B. Wissner to see who exactly, if anyone, can be held liable for your injuries.
Call the Law Offices of Reid B. Wissner today at 212-903-4LAW (4529) to schedule your complimentary consultation.
How to Determine Liability in a Sidewalk Trip and Fall Accident
While most people can get up from a slip, trip, and fall accident on the sidewalk with nothing more than a few bruises and maybe bruised pride, many others are seriously injured from such a fall. The elderly are especially susceptible to catastrophic injury from a fall, and may require a lengthy stay in the hospital. Even younger people in good health can still suffer catastrophic injuries from a sidewalk fall – the human body is fragile and can be damaged extensively from just landing wrong after a fall.
If you have suffered severe injuries after tripping and falling on a sidewalk, you may wonder who can be held responsible. Your first instinct may be to blame yourself, but in fact it’s the property owner’s responsibility to maintain safe conditions in and around their building.
Common slip and fall scenarios include:
- Dangerous snow and ice that was not cleared properly in a timely manner
- Poorly maintained sidewalks with large cracks or crumbling concrete
- Poorly maintained stairs leading up to a building
- Rusting or broken sidewalk grates
- Improperly secured cellar doors
Liability for these preventable scenarios is determined by who the owner of the sidewalk is where you fell. Often, it will be the building owner or landlord whose property is adjacent to the sidewalk. Other times, it may be a branch of the city government. NYC personal injury lawyer Reid B. Wissner can help pinpoint liability in your case in order to get you the best settlement possible.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation
If you were seriously injured after a slip, trip, and fall accident on a New York City sidewalk, you should call a lawyer as soon as possible. Hospital bills are expensive, and we want to help you get the financial compensation you need and deserve, as well as hold the negligent property owner responsible.
Schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation by calling Reid B. Wissner today at 212-903-4LAW (4529). We serve clients in New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and other surrounding areas.
