Trip and fall accidents are common in New York City

New York City is one of the greatest walking cities in the entire world.  It is a never-ending maze of concrete and steel, of parkways, walkways, sidewalks, and buildings. Inside New York’s massive structures and out on the streets people travel by foot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The downside to all that walking means that New York City is ripe for people to get injured by tripping and falling, or slipping and falling. Oftentimes conditions are not safe, especially because so many properties are older and need repairs and upgrades.  Such conditions can invite a legal claim to recover damages suffered in an accident at those locales.

To prove a trip and fall case in New York City, a lawyer must prove that an unsafe or dangerous condition exists.  More than that, it must also be proven that the unsafe condition existed long enough that the owner had enough time to be aware that it was unsafe, thus giving him the opportunity to make needed repairs.  Not making needed repairs nor mitigating unsafe conditions can make an owner liable for negligence, which is the cornerstone for many personal injury cases.

Several guidelines are in place regarding the legal requirements for handrails, stairs, lighting, and other safety precautions, and when these are not met, it only increases the likelihood of injuries.

Statutes of limitations for trip and fall cases in New York are short.  For example, many public sidewalks in New York City require a plaintiff to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days after an accident takes place.

The important thing to remember is that each trip and fall case is unique, and proving negligence and collecting damages can be complicated, and best left to the skills of an experienced trip and fall attorney.