Posted by New York is one of the most populous cities in the world and the metropolitan city most dependent on public infrastructure in the United States. A majority of New Yorkers use sidewalks to walk between locations and the sidewalk infrastructure of the city is built to withstand the hundreds of thousands of people in foot traffic who traverse the city every day. Due to the reliance of people on the sidewalk infrastructure, the city municipality needs to make repairs whenever any safety hazards arise.
However, a lack of maintenance and the creation of slipping or tripping hazards can result in an unfortunate sidewalk slip-and-fall accident that can result in a wide range of injuries, including bone fractures, concussions, bruises, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and death.
Even if the victim manages to survive the medical consequences of the incident, they can be left holding hundreds of thousands in expenses, including medical bills, incidental expenses, costs of ongoing therapy, and more. In such cases, it becomes necessary to consult a skilled lawyer on your chances of recovering compensation for your damages.
Causes of Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accidents
A sidewalk slip and fall accident can occur due to multiple reasons, including a buildup of natural elements like snow or water, debris, uneven pavements, cracks or open potholes, slippery pavements, insufficient warning signs around construction sites, inadequate maintenance by the property owner or city municipality, insufficient lighting, and more. Most such causes of slip and fall accidents are preventable with efficient maintenance of sidewalks and prompt action to eliminate any potential slipping or tripping hazards on public sidewalks.
Determining Negligence
If you slip and fall on a New York sidewalk and want to pursue legal action against the party responsible for your accident, establishing negligence might prove challenging. In cases where the incident occurs on a sidewalk bordering a public or private property, the property owner or administration can be held liable for your damages.
On the other hand, you can file a lawsuit against other liable parties, including property management, companies hired to maintain the area, landlords of residential or commercial properties, and more. Filing a claim in New York can prove trickier than in other states since it requires prior formal notice of the sidewalk safety hazard or defect made to the city administration.
Duty of Care
As with any other slip and fall case, negligence of a party is established using the principle of duty of care. To make a successful claim, you must demonstrate that the accident and subsequent physical injury resulted from the negligence of a property owner or city administration in charge of the maintenance of public sidewalks.
You must also prove that the said party had or should have had knowledge of any safety hazards that resulted in the accident. Since all property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment at and around their property, including sidewalks, a violation of this duty of care holds them liable for any accidents that might occur.
Conclusion
If you slipped and fell on a sidewalk in New York, you can sue the negligent party for recovery of your damages. To improve your chances of a successful legal claim, consulting an experienced lawyer is essential. A lawyer who specializes in slip-and-fall lawsuits can help you file your claim in a court of law and gather the requisite evidence to build a strong case and get you the monetary compensation you deserve.