A slip and fall claim may arise when a property owner fails to fix or warn about a dangerous condition — such as wet floors, uneven pavement, poor lighting, ice, snow, or debris — and that failure causes injury.
In most slip and fall cases involving private property, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. However, claims involving a municipality, public sidewalk, school, or government-owned property often have much shorter deadlines and may require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Because timelines can vary, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Yes. To succeed in a slip and fall case, you must show that the property owner or responsible party was negligent. This typically involves proving that they knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it or provide adequate warning. Evidence may include photographs, surveillance footage, maintenance records, witness statements, incident reports, and expert testimony. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help gather and preserve this evidence.
Compensation in a slip and fall case may include payment for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and long-term disability or limitations. In serious cases, compensation may also cover rehabilitation costs and loss of enjoyment of life. The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries, liability evidence, and the impact on your daily life.
Yes. Depending on where the accident occurred, liability may fall on a business owner, landlord, property management company, maintenance contractor, or a local government entity. Each type of defendant is subject to different legal rules and deadlines. Identifying the correct responsible party is critical, and a slip and fall attorney can determine who should be held accountable under New York premises liability law.
