NYC Sidewalk Accidents

There are over 12,000 miles of sidewalks in New York City, and the constant foot traffic of millions of residents and tourists means accidents are inevitable. Sidewalk accidents can occur in any season and for various reasons, from improper maintenance to weather-related hazards. Pedestrians injured while walking on the City’s sidewalks may be able to seek compensation for their injuries, depending on the circumstances of their accident.

For over 30 years, Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices have been helping injured New Yorkers fight for fair compensation and justice after being harmed in sidewalk accidents. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you deserve caring and experienced legal representation to guide you through the process of seeking damages. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our NYC sidewalk accident lawyers.

Injured from a Sidewalk Fall in New York? Options for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim

New York City’s slip and fall claims are complex legal processes that are often challenging to navigate without help from an attorney familiar with the many state and local laws governing these accident claims. Identifying who is responsible for your sidewalk accident is one of the first steps, and this can be more difficult than it seems. The maintenance and safety of sidewalks could be the responsibility of property owners or the City. How you approach your slip and fall claim will vary depending on who is responsible for the upkeep of the part of the sidewalk where you were injured.

It’s important to note that not everyone who falls on a New York City sidewalk is eligible for compensation. If you plan on pursuing an accident claim or legal action for damages, you must show that a defect in the sidewalk caused your injury and the person or entity responsible for the sidewalk’s maintenance knew or reasonably should have known about the defect.

New York City law outlines the following guidelines for identifying whether property owners or the NYC government is responsible for sidewalk maintenance:

New York City Administrative Code Section 7-210 states that the owner of the property that abuts a sidewalk is required to keep the sidewalk in reasonably safe condition. There are exceptions to this rule, most notably certain residential properties occupied by the owner.
The City is responsible for sidewalks next to property owned by the City and residential buildings with one, two, or three-family homes.

If the sidewalk where your slip and fall occurred is the responsibility of the City, there is the added requirement of complying with New York City Administrative Code Section 7-201. This Code Section states that, to pursue a legal claim, the City must have received prior written notice of the hazardous condition or defect that caused your injury.

Weather-related falls introduce an added layer of complications for New Yorkers seeking compensation for their sidewalk accident injuries. Property owners are typically required to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time. Failure to do so could mean they are liable for any injuries from slip and falls caused by the slippery conditions. However, it is the injured person’s responsibility to prove the property owner knew about the snow or ice and that they had a reasonable amount of time to clear it.

Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices has targeted experience with sidewalk accident claims involving sidewalk defects like cracks, holes, uneven surfaces, ice, snow, and numerous other hazardous conditions. We know how to build a strategic slip-and-fall case that gives you the best possible chance of success.

Understanding New York Slip and Fall Lawsuits

New Yorkers who suffer injuries caused by sidewalk defects may want to file a slip and fall lawsuit. To build a strong case for a sidewalk accident in New York City, you must show that the at-fault party had a duty to keep the sidewalk safe and that their negligence contributed to your injuries.

New York Administrative Code Section 19-152 outlines the duties that property owners have to maintain sidewalks, stating that owners must install, repave, and repair sidewalks that have substantial defects. This includes:

Sidewalk sections that are cracked so severely that pieces are loose
Sidewalk sections that rock or seesaw
Trip hazards with a vertical grade difference of one inch or more
Sidewalks with improper slopes that retain water
Sidewalks that are not flush or are not skid-resistant
Defects that impact the structural integrity of the sidewalk

Ice and snow must also be cleared within a reasonable amount of time so that sidewalks are safe for pedestrians.

Seek Legal Help from a New York Slip and Fall Lawyer After a Sidewalk Accident

NYC sidewalk accident laws are intended to keep pedestrians safe while also ensuring that property owners and the City are held accountable for the upkeep of the sidewalks. The complexities of liability in New York slip and fall cases mean that injured accident victims benefit tremendously from having an experienced lawyer on their side. At Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices, we offer free case evaluations to ensure you can make an informed decision about the future of your sidewalk accident claim. Contact us to get started today.

Wael Shenouda

15:46 13 Oct 23

Really appreciate Mr. Seitelman. and mrs. Berrios. helping and cooperating , always there when I need them, Informing me with every step, and they always do the right thing in your interest.
Thank you Mark E. Seitelman Low Offices.

Prety Reed

14:45 12 Oct 23

juan goris

03:04 27 Sep 23

seitelman law office assisted in resolving my auto accident from beginning to end.

Cheryl Green

13:34 26 Sep 23

I was a client of this firm since 2009. I was so please with my case I have been referring family members and a host of friends since then and will continue to refer clients to them Thank you again for all the successful cases

Jackie DeFeo

13:22 21 Sep 23

Mr. Seitelman and Nicholas Shively represented me in my accident case. I felt they took a personal interest in representing me. The telephone staff was very helpful and attentive to the ongoing needs of the case. If you need a lawyer reach out to Seitelman Law offices.

Tyrone Boone

05:02 14 Aug 23

Mark Seitelmans Law Office is great. They handled my accident case and won. They are very professional and informative. If you need a lawyer for your case call Mark Seitelmans Law Office they will take good care of you.

erica coimbre

19:43 29 Jul 23

Mark Seitelmans law office is great. They represented me for my accident case. They were very nice and professional and they communicated with me every step of the way. If you ever need a lawyer call them there are awesome.

asbd gamefarm

17:20 28 Jul 23

cannot say enough to Mr. Seitelman's and his staff handling of my case. They are experience, knowledgeable and experts on there task. It so satisfying and that they deserve a bunch of credit. I am a happy client. All the best and again thank you very much.

Cynthia Rothschild

16:02 21 Jun 23

Mark Seitelman and his staff, are very knowledgeable and they keep you informed through the whole process. They have helped me with my case, and got me the best outcome. I recommend anyone needing a good personal injury attorney to hire them.