Slip and Fall in NYC? It's Not Funny — Here's What to Do
Okay, the name got a grin out of you. Fair. But a real fall — on a broken sidewalk, a wet store floor with no sign, an icy stoop nobody salted — is no joke when you're the one icing a wrist or missing work. Here's how these claims actually work in New York, minus the legalese.
When someone else may be on the hook
Property owners in New York have a duty to keep their space reasonably safe. If a hazard caused your fall and the owner knew about it (or should have), you may have a premises-liability claim. The classics: unmarked wet floors, broken steps, bad lighting, and ice or snow left too long.
What helps your case
- Photos of the hazard, right away, before it's fixed or cleaned up.
- An incident report if it happened in a store or building.
- Medical care promptly — for your health and the record.
- Witness info from anyone who saw it.
About "partly my fault"
New York uses comparative negligence, so even if you were partly at fault, you can usually still recover — your share just reduces the amount. Don't talk yourself out of a claim before someone who knows the rules looks at it.
Related reading
- The plain-English version lives at NYC Injury Line.
- Car crash instead of a fall? Accidents Happen NYC.
ButtHurt NYC is an intake and referral service from the Law Office of James Medows. Mr. Medows doesn't personally handle injury cases; with your written consent we connect you with an experienced injury attorney, and a referral never increases your total fee. General info, not legal advice — and the wink is the name, nothing more.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is general information, not legal advice.