According to the New York State Climate Impacts Assessment, the average temperatures in NY have increased by about 2.6°F since 1901. They’re also expected to rise by anywhere from 5°F to 11°F by the end of the 21st century. In the not-too-distant future, New Yorkers might not need to worry about finding a sidewalk injury attorney in NYC to represent them following slip-and-fall accidents on icy public sidewalks.
But for now, this remains a problem for some people who call the Big Apple home. The NYC Office of the Comptroller reports that over 2,300 sidewalk personal injury claims are filed against the City of New York each year, with a small percentage involving slip-and-fall accidents on icy public sidewalks. These claims cost NYC over $53 million annually.
Were you hurt after a slip-and-fall accident on a public sidewalk covered with ice? If so, you might wonder whether or not you can sue the City of New York and collect compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. Find out the answer below.
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining and Clearing Ice and Snow From Public Sidewalks in NYC?
The New York sidewalk law — officially known as § 7-210 of NYC’s Administrative Code — makes it very clear who is ultimately responsible for maintaining public sidewalks in NYC and clearing snow and ice from them. It puts property owners in charge of tackling many maintenance tasks related to the sidewalks in front of their properties. They must “remove snow, ice, dirt, or other material from the sidewalk” to remain within the limits of this law.
For this reason, a sidewalk injury attorney may suggest taking legal action against someone who didn’t take their responsibility as a property owner seriously enough if you’re ever injured during a slip-and-fall accident on an icy public sidewalk in NYC. Their refusal to perform adequate snow and ice removal might leave them on the hook for assuming sidewalk liability in your case.
A sidewalk injury attorney in NYC can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your slip-and-fall accident on an icy public sidewalk. They can either suggest that you file a premises liability lawsuit against a property owner or advise you to explore the idea of suing the City of New York. It all depends on the specifics of your case.
When Can You Sue the City of New York After a Slip-and-Fall Accident on an Icy Public Sidewalk?
Often, sidewalk injury attorneys in NYC will recommend their clients file slip-and-fall claims against property owners rather than trying to pin municipal responsibility on the City of New York. However, there are instances in which they might tell them that suing NYC is a better course of action.
Let’s say, for example, that the city was notified of an especially icy and dangerous public sidewalk. In a case like this, the city has a legal duty to take action and make this public sidewalk safe again within a reasonable timeframe. If it doesn’t, this could be seen as the city showing negligence when it comes to keeping pedestrians safe.
New York City is filled with about 12,000 miles worth of sidewalks. As a result, the NYC Department of Transportation might be unable to respond to notifications about icy public sidewalks and remedy them immediately.
However, the city is expected to act within a day or two. If it fails to respond to reports of icy public sidewalks that have become safety hazards, the city could be held accountable just as much as the property owners who neglected them.
How Can You Win a Case Following a Slip-and-Fall Accident on an Icy Public Sidewalk in NYC?
If you ever slip and fall on an icy public sidewalk in NYC, you might not know what to do next. You might be especially confused about how you should respond to a situation like this from a legal perspective.
Thankfully, you can begin building a compelling slip-and-fall claim by following a few simple steps. Here is how you can put yourself in a position to win a slip-and-fall case involving an icy public sidewalk in NYC:
- Call the police to report your slip-and-fall accident.
- Seek medical attention for injuries sustained during a slip-and-fall accident.
- Gather evidence from your accident scene and take photographs and videos of it.
- See if anyone witnessed your accident and ask for their contact information.
- Speak with an NYC sidewalk injury lawyer about your case.
- Determine sidewalk liability in your case and decide who to take legal action against.
- File a slip-and-fall accident claim in NYC and work through the legal proceedings.
Even though thousands of slip-and-fall claims related to public sidewalks are filed in NYC each year, they aren’t all successful. You can improve your chances of earning a settlement or judgment in your case by working with the right sidewalk accident lawyer in NYC.
What Can a Sidewalk Injury Attorney in NYC Do To Help With a Slip-and-Fall Accident Case?
Choosing the right sidewalk injury attorney to provide legal representation during a slip-and-fall case in NYC is essential. They can help you with your slip-and-fall claim in a variety of ways.
Here are things an experienced NYC sidewalk accident lawyer can do to assist you:
- They will determine the viability of your slip-and-fall claim.
- They will send a notice of claim to the City of New York indicating your intention to file a lawsuit.
- They will handle filing your lawsuit against the city.
- They will conduct settlement negotiations with the city.
- They will take your case against the city to trial if necessary.
Taking legal action against the City of New York won’t come without its complications. The right sidewalk injury attorney can make the process easier, regardless of whether you’re suing the city over an icy sidewalk, a broken sidewalk, or another sidewalk-related issue.
Call Us To Work With a Reliable Sidewalk Accident Lawyer in NYC
Did you sustain serious injuries during a recent slip-and-fall accident on an icy public sidewalk in NYC? See whether you can possibly sue the City of New York to try and recover damages by working with a sidewalk accident lawyer from Ross & Hill.
We can also lend a hand with determining broken sidewalk injury liability in other types of slip-and-fall cases involving public sidewalks. Contact us at (718) 855-2324 to set up a consultation.
FAQs
Look for the answers to other commonly asked questions about slip-and-fall accidents that occur on public sidewalks in NYC below.
What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall on an Icy Public Sidewalk in NYC?
If you slip and fall on an icy public sidewalk in NYC, you should file a report about it with the city and seek medical attention immediately to document your injuries. You should also touch base with a sidewalk injury attorney to discuss your case.
Should I Sue the City of New York After a Slip and Fall on an Icy Public Sidewalk?
You should sue the City of New York after a slip and fall on an icy public sidewalk if you can prove NYC was responsible for it. The city might be liable for a slip-and-fall accident like this if it was notified about a dangerous, icy public sidewalk and didn’t do anything about it.
Which NYC Sidewalk Accident Lawyer Should I Hire?
Hire an NYC sidewalk accident lawyer with plenty of experience handling slip-and-fall claims made against the City of New York. Ross & Hill has sidewalk injury attorneys you can count on.
