New York City Slip and Fall Attorneys

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident, also known as a trip and fall accident, is a type of personal injury incident that occurs when an individual slips, trips, or falls due to hazardous conditions on someone else's property. These accidents often result in injuries and can lead to legal claims for compensation if negligence on the part of the property owner or responsible party can be established.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or Slippery Surfaces:
  • Spills of liquids, oils, or food on floors
  • Rainwater or snow tracked indoors
  • Recently mopped or waxed floors
• Uneven Surfaces:
  • Cracked or uneven sidewalks or pavement
  • Damaged or uneven flooring
  • Loose or torn carpeting or rugs
• Poor Lighting:
  • Inadequate illumination in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots
  • Burned-out or malfunctioning light fixtures
• Lack of Handrails:
  • Absence of handrails on staircases or ramps
  • Broken or improperly installed handrails
• Inadequate Signage:
  • Failure to warn of slippery surfaces with warning signs
  • Lack of caution signs in construction or renovation areas
• Debris or Obstacles:
  • Cluttered walkways with obstacles or objects in the way
  • Construction materials or equipment left in pedestrian paths
• Icy or Snowy Conditions:
  • Failure to clear ice and snow from sidewalks and walkways
  • Negligent salting or sanding of icy surfaces
• Loose or Broken Steps:
  • Broken or missing steps on staircases
  • Loose or damaged tiles on staira
• Negligent Maintenance:
  • Lack of regular maintenance on floors, stairs, or walkways
  • Ignoring necessary repairs or upkeep
• Footwear and Personal Factors:
  • Inappropriate footwear for the conditions
  • Distracted walking or running
• Escalator and Elevator Malfunctions:
  • Mechanical failures or abrupt stops in elevators or escalators

Common Types of Slip & Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries can vary widely depending on the nature of the fall and the surface involved. Here are some common types:

• Fractures: Broken bones are common in slip and fall cases, particularly in the wrists, arms, hips, and ankles. These injuries often occur when someone tries to catch themselves during the fall or lands on a hard surface.
• Sprains and Strains: These injuries involve the stretching or tearing of ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains). They can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.
• Head Injuries: Falls can lead to concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and memory issues.
• Back Injuries: These can range from minor strains to more serious conditions like herniated discs or spinal cord injuries. Back injuries can cause pain and limited mobility.
• Shoulder Injuries: Falls can lead to shoulder dislocations, fractures, or rotator cuff injuries. These can significantly impact a person's range of motion and strength.
• Knee Injuries: Damage to the knee can include sprains, tears (like ACL or meniscus tears), and fractures. These injuries can be painful and may require surgery.
• Cuts and Bruises: Minor injuries from falls can include abrasions, lacerations, and contusions. While these may seem less severe, they can still be painful and lead to infection if not properly treated.
• Hip Injuries: Particularly in older adults, falls can result in hip fractures or dislocations. Hip injuries often require surgical intervention and can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
• Internal Injuries: Although less common, falls can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or other serious conditions.

When Is a Property Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall?

Generally speaking, property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe and free from hazards that could cause injury to visitors or guests. This means that they have a legal duty to correct any dangerous conditions or warn visitors if they cannot be fixed immediately. In practice, retail stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and other commercial spaces have an obligation to regularly inspect their premises for safety issues. 

A property owner becomes liable for injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident when they knew about or reasonably should have known about a safety hazard and failed to sufficiently address it. For example, if a spill occurs in a restaurant, the staff of the restaurant becomes aware of the spill but does nothing to promptly clean it up or warn patrons, they are likely liable for any resulting injuries. Similarly, if a spill occurs in a restaurant’s bathroom and the floor remains slick for hours after the fact, it could be argued that the restaurant should have been regularly inspecting the bathroom and thus should have been aware of the safety hazard. 

Examples of safety hazards that can trigger liability for a slip and fall accident include:

• Slick surfaces
• Broken or uneven steps
• No handrails for stairways
• Poor lighting
• Debris on the floor

Property owners may not be liable if someone is injured as a result of doing something irresponsible or illegal. If someone slips and falls while trespassing or after entering an obviously marked “employees only” area, for example, the injured party may not have a strong case. Liability may also be murkier if someone slips and falls after failing to pay attention to their surroundings or recklessly running.

If you are not sure whether a property owner is liable for your injuries, we encourage you to get in touch with our New York City slip and fall attorneys. We can assess what happened, determine liability, and advise whether you have a strong case.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in New York City?

You can potentially recover both economic and non-economic damages if you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident. However, you will be barred from recovering any compensation if you do not bring a claim before the statute of limitations expires. In New York, the statute of limitations for all premises liability lawsuits, including slip and fall cases, is three years from the date of the incident. You will almost certainly need to start the legal process sooner if you are suing a government entity. When someone dies because of a slip and fall, their immediate family members (or the representative of their estate) have two years from the date of their passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Our New York City slip and fall lawyers will work to secure compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Did you sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident that was not your fault? Contact us online or call (866) 935-1862 today.