New York Slip & Fall Attorneys

A Premises Liability Injury Can Change Your Life

Most people brush off a slip and fall accident as just a clumsy moment. But the truth? These accidents can lead to devastating injuries that change lives forever. One second, you’re going about your day; the next, you’re dealing with hospital bills, lost wages, and chronic pain.

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe. When they fail, people get hurt. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you shouldn’t have to deal with the fallout alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury lawyers fight to hold negligent property owners accountable and get you the compensation you deserve. Let one of the best law firms in America take the burden off your shoulders while you focus on healing.

The Hidden Dangers That Cause Slip and Fall Disasters

Slip and fall accidents don’t just happen out of nowhere. Many are caused by hidden hazards that property owners ignore or fail to fix. These dangers are often overlooked until it’s too late, leaving unsuspecting victims with serious injuries. Understanding what causes these accidents helps you stay alert and recognize negligence when it happens.

Some of the most dangerous conditions include:

• Slippery Surfaces: Wet floor slip and fall accidents happen when spills, rain, snow, or ice turn walkways into accident zones.
• Broken Sidewalks: Walkway or sidewalk defect accidents happen due to cracks, uneven pavement, and potholes that can easily trip unsuspecting pedestrians.
• Poor Lighting: Dimly lit stairwells, hallways, and parking lots hide dangerous obstacles.
• Cluttered Walkways: Loose carpet or rug accidents result from loose cords, misplaced merchandise, and debris creating tripping hazards.
• Unsafe Stairs: Defective stair accidents happen when missing handrails or loose steps make falls more likely and far more severe.
• Dangerous Worksites: Construction zone accidents at construction sites, warehouses, and even office buildings contain risks that can cause serious falls.

When property owners neglect these hazards, innocent people pay the price. Our injury lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, see these acts of negligence time and time again injure innocent victims. A small oversight, like failing to clean up a spill or fix a broken handrail, can have life-changing consequences. The key to holding them accountable is proving that they knew (or should have known) about the danger and failed to take action.

The Most Dangerous Places for Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but some locations are especially risky. These places often see a high volume of foot traffic, increasing the likelihood of hazards going unnoticed or unaddressed. Property owners and businesses in these areas must stay vigilant to ensure public safety.

• Apartment Buildings: Landlords have a responsibility to maintain safe common areas, including hallways, stairwells, and entryways. A simple failure to repair a loose carpet or clear ice from a walkway can lead to serious injuries.
• Stores and Malls: Grocery store accidents and restaurant slip and fall accidents happen when businesses prioritize profits over proper maintenance and safety measures. Leaky refrigeration units, poorly placed floor mats, and cluttered aisles contribute to frequent falls.
• Sidewalks and Public Spaces: Walkway or sidewalk defect accidents raise questions about whether cities or property owners are responsible when they fail to maintain walkways. If a crack in the pavement or uneven curb caused your fall, determining liability is crucial.
• Nursing Homes: Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death for elderly residents. Neglectful care, like failing to provide mobility assistance or properly securing rugs and mats, can turn a minor trip into a fatal event.
• Workplaces: Many employers cut corners on safety, leading to avoidable falls with catastrophic consequences. From icy or snowy walkway accidents outside office buildings to wet floors in warehouses, workplaces must be maintained to prevent injuries.

If you’ve been injured in one of these high-risk locations, don’t assume that it was just bad luck. There’s a good chance that someone’s negligence played a role in your accident. Identifying the responsible party and holding them accountable is the first step toward getting justice.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Swimming Pools and Recreational Areas

Public pools, water parks, and recreational areas are supposed to be places of fun and relaxation, but they can also be rife with hazards. Swimming pool accidents often occur due to slippery surfaces, poorly maintained decks, or inadequate safety measures. Wet tiles, broken ladders, and a lack of proper signage can turn a leisurely day into a nightmare.

Additionally, lifeguards or property owners may be negligent in preventing hazards. Lack of supervision, unmarked deep areas, and missing safety railings can all contribute to serious injuries. Drowning incidents and head injuries from falls near pools are unfortunately all too common.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a recreational area, it’s important to determine if negligence played a role. Liability may rest with a property owner, a maintenance company, or even a local municipality, depending on the circumstances.

Why Horn Wright, LLP, is the Right Choice for Your Case

At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand the devastating impact a slip and fall accident can have on your life. Medical bills pile up, lost wages put financial stress on your family, and the pain from your injuries can linger for years. Our dedicated legal team has years of experience fighting for victims just like you, ensuring negligent property owners are held accountable. 

When you work with us, you’re not just another case number. We provide aggressive, compassionate representation and won’t back down from insurance companies that try to minimize your claim. With no upfront costs, we only get paid if you win. 

Don’t wait—contact our offices today for a FREE consultation and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Slip & Fall Accident FAQ

• What is the statute of limitations for slip and fall claims? 
  Slip ad fall claims have a three-year statute of limitations in New York. The statute of limitations begins on the date of injury in most cases, which would be the day that you fell. Rare exceptions can extend or delay the start of the statute, but you should not count on it. Talk with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
• If I fell and was injured from a broken piece of sidewalk, can I sue the city? 
  A municipal entity can sometimes be held liable for slip and fall accidents that happen on public sidewalks. If you need to sue the city for your accident, then you should know that most claims against a public entity or government agency in New York have a reduced 90-day statute of limitations. Furthermore, sidewalks immediately in front of a private business or residence might technically not be the responsibility of the city. You should consult with a slip and fall lawyer to determine who is the liable party.
• Does a "wet floor" sign release the store or property owner from liability if I fall? 
  “Wet floor” signs are not automatic liability excuses for property owners. Proprietors like retail store owners and managers need to put wet floor signs where they can clearly be seen and before a third party can encounter the wet floor hazard, like a spilled product. If the signs are placed incorrectly and are difficult to notice to the average person, then the property owner might still be fully liable for a slip and fall accident.
• Can you sue if you slipped and fell on a property you rented? 
  You might be able to sue the property owner if you slipped and fell while on a property you rented. However, it depends on where your slip and fall accident occurred specifically. If you fell in your own apartment, then you most likely don’t have a case because that is an area that you keep and control. But if you fell on the steps leading up to your apartment, then you might have a case because that is an area controlled by the property owner.