Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. – FIGHTING FOR YOU®
Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in New York City. Sadly, they can cause the injured party tremendous pain and suffering and may even result in death. No one thinks about walking to work in the morning and winding up with a traumatic brain injury from tripping over cracked concrete, but it happens — every day.
This is why if you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in NYC, knowing your rights is incredibly important and can keep you and your family from losing the money and benefits you are entitled to.
So, please, don’t gamble with your future. Be proactive and prepare yourself.
You can do this by calling Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 1-800-966-4999 and speaking with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today.
For more on slip-and-fall lawyers, accidents, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, please continue reading.
$3.4 Million
Verdict In Slip, Trip & Fall Case
$2 Million
Verdict In Slip, Trip & Fall Case
$2.1 Million
Verdict In Slip, Trip & Fall Case
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents
Slip, trip, and fall accidents can be caused by any number of factors, ranging from environmental conditions to workplace error, many of which are highly preventable. Examples include but are not limited to:
STEVEN SCHWARTZAPFEL
These can include:
- Broken or uneven sidewalks
- Water collections or the presence of other slippery fluids (e.g. wax)
- Cracked or damaged steps
- Inadequate safety devices or equipment (e.g. hoists, harnesses, ladders, footwear)
- Insufficient warning signs
- Snow or ice accumulation
- Poor lighting
- Loose mats, rugs, or other floor materials
- Improperly cordoned off areas (e.g. surrounding potholes)
- Defective guardrails
- Unsecured loads or construction debris
Essentially, any type of uneven or slippery walking surface can spell trouble for pedestrians and construction workers alike — in the streets, on the job, indoors or outdoors, under roof or open skies. That said if anything listed above rings a bell or sounds comparable to something you or your loved one has experienced while on the job, please know: you are protected by the law!
To fully understand your options as they relate to slip-and-fall accidents in NYC, call 1-800-966-4999 and speak with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney today. Alternatively, if you prefer texting to speaking over the phone, you can send a message to 1-917-909-5900 and a member of our staff will be in touch with you shortly.
Possible injuries and losses caused by slip-and-fall accidents
Day or night, slip-and-fall accidents can result in immense physical pain, suffering, and even death. This is true whether you are a construction worker on-site or a pedestrian walking along after work. In both contexts (and many more), fall-related injuries can include but are not limited to:
Broken bones
(e.g. fractures of the legs, arms, shoulders, hips, ankles)
Head trauma
(e.g. brain injury, skull fractures, brain hemorrhaging)
External cuts, internal bleeding
Disc bulges and herniations
Internal organ damage
Full or partial paralysis
(e.g. quadriplegia, paraplegia)
Additionally, injuries that are not readily apparent at the time of the accident can include sprains, strains and tears, post-traumatic arthritis, and nerve damage — all of which can worsen over time until surgery is required.
Beyond physical injuries, emotional suffering is a stark reality many New Yorkers face — often alone — in the days, weeks, and even years following a slip-and-fall.
Examples of these conditions include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acute stress disorder (ASD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
Unfortunately for many injured persons in New York State, their losses do not stop with the physical and mental tolls brought forth by a slip-and-fall accident, as many times economic losses coincide in the forms of:
- Loss of wages
- Loss of pension, annuity, and other retirement benefits
- Loss of health and social security benefits
For the many reasons listed and unlisted herein, you should treat your injury as a serious matter that requires serious attention. Because no matter who you are or what you do, we promise your health is worth it.
So, please, don’t wait until it’s too late. Choose the future that’s brightest for you and your loved ones by calling (1-800–966-4999) or texting (1-917-909-5900) Schwartzapfel Lawyers today.
What to do in the event of a slip-and-fall accident in NYC
At the outset of any accident, receiving proper medical care should be the first stop on your road to physical and mental recovery. As such, you should seek immediate medical attention. If possible, head to the emergency room, urgent care clinic, or your primary doctor, because regardless of whether or not you believe medical assistance is necessary, when it comes to injuries related to a slip, trip, or fall, it is always best to err on the side of caution. After your health is addressed, taking pictures or having a friend document the scene are important steps to take to ensure your claim is corroborated by the available evidence.
Next, one of the best ways to protect you and your family’s financial future is by securing expert legal representation. For you, this will mean speaking with a slip-and-fall lawyer right away (Note: Your consultation should be free). Moreover, please do not give statements to anyone — including insurance agents — without first speaking to your lawyer. Why? Because anything you say will be misconstrued and used against you.
Remember: No matter how convincing they may sound, these men and women are not your allies. The truth is their jobs are to make profits for their company’s shareholders. Accordingly, what is best for them is to pay you as little as possible. But you can stop this from happening by politely but firmly stating that you have retained a personal injury attorney whom they can speak to.
In terms of law and recourse, property owners in New York State have a legally binding duty to ensure that their properties are free from dangerous conditions that might cause injury. Failure to fulfill this duty can lead to liability in personal injury cases. Depending on the circumstances leading up to your fall, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible party.
For instance, if you slipped, tripped, or fell on private property (e.g. a neighbor’s home or business establishment), possible responsible parties may include but are not limited to:
- Property landlord or owner
- Property’s insurance company
- Business owner on property
- Employer at property
- General contractor of the property
As well, please know that if you or someone you love took a fall on government-owned property in New York State, you can pursue damage claims against the responsible municipal party, which may be a city, town, county, or even the state.
Here, something worth noting is that if you are injured on government property — or if a municipality can be implicated — your case will likely be governed by filing requirements designed to make pursuing damages more difficult. For instance, the statute of limitations for slips-and-falls occurring on public property is usually shorter than that of private properties (less than three years), and prior written notice of the specific condition is generally required.
All that to say: Regardless of who you think may be responsible for your injuries, time is of the essence and you must act now to save yourself from future worries.
To do this, speak with an expert slip-and-fall attorney right away. Call Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 1-800–966-4999 or text us at 1-917-909-5900.
Don’t delay, as doing so may reduce or completely eliminate your chances of recouping the financial recovery you are entitled to by law.
What damages am I eligible to recover after a slip-and-fall in NYC?
In New York State, property owners have a duty to ensure that their properties are free from dangerous conditions that might cause injury. Failure to fulfill this duty can lead to liability in personal injury cases.
Depending on the circumstances leading up to your fall, you may be awarded financial compensation for these and other damages:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses (e.g. surgeries, hospitalizations, prescribed medications, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation, etc.)
- Lost wages and/or benefits (e.g. Social Security, pension, annuity, etc.)
- Household services (e.g. house cleaning, transportation, yard work, etc.)
- Degree of disability, impairment, and/or disfigurement
Why speak with a slip-and-fall lawyer?
Briefly put: The sooner you speak with an attorney who has experience handling — and more importantly: winning — cases involving slip-and-falls in New York, the better. Why? Because having this person on your side — fighting for you — will afford you a thorough investigation of the accident and parties responsible, defense against insurance adjusters and others who are out for personal or company gain (in other words: your loss), as well as a vigorous pursuit of every cent you are entitled to.
Finding the attorney that’s right for YOU
However unique your case, you will want someone who is experienced in NYC personal injury law, has a proven track record of getting results, and who will fight for you every step of the way. In short: You’ll want the best slip-and-fall attorney possible.
For more than thirty-five years, Schwartzapfel Lawyers has successfully helped thousands of clients get the money and benefits they are entitled to. We are proud of our hundreds of 5-star Google Reviews and 99% client satisfaction record. Moreover, we have every incentive to get you the largest settlement or verdict possible as quickly as possible. Why? Because if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
So, if you or someone you love has been injured in a slip, trip, or fall-related accident in NYC, take action today!
To learn more about your rights and how you can protect them, please visit our website, call us at 1-800-966-4999, or text 1-917-909-5900. We will be in touch shortly and on your side always.
LOCATIONS
NEW YORK LAW FIRM – OFFICE LOCATIONS
At Schwartzapfel Lawyers P.C. we fight hard to get you the outcome you deserve. To better serve you, we have five office locations in the New York area. If you have any questions, please give us a call today or select any of the location options below to learn more.
New York Office
31 East 32nd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016
(347) 751-6890
Garden City Office
600 Old Country Road #450, Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 341-1941
Brooklyn Office
16 Court Street, Suite 1800 Brooklyn, NY 11241
(718) 806-9619
Manhattan Office
535 Eighth Avenue Suite 1401
New York, NY 10018
Queens Office
71-36 110th St, Queens, NY 11375, United States
(718) 537-7070
West Side Office
230 W 79th Street #123 N, New York, NY 10024
(516) 219-8104After a traumatic fall, Schwartzapfel Lawyers helped my whole family get back up.
SLIP, TRIP & FALL FAQS
New York personal injury law provides for specific types of damages for slip, trip, and fall accidents. These damages can include compensation for:
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost income
- Loss of annuity
- Loss of pension
- Loss of Social Security income
- Loss of healthcare benefits
- Loss in the value of household services
- Loss of consortium – such as spousal relationships that have been negatively impacted by the injury
Because New York is a pure comparative negligence state, if you did something that contributed to your injury, it is possible that any compensation you get may be reduced based on the part you played in the injury.
The sooner you talk to an experienced New York slip, trip, and fall personal injury attorney, the better. It increases the chances of obtaining statements from the responsible parties before they speak with their insurance company or their lawyer. A quick response will ensure that the accident can be thoroughly investigated, witnesses can be located, and photographs can be taken. Often, those at fault try to quickly fix the problem after you have been injured and before a photo was taken. Protect yourself and call now.
Property owners have a duty to ensure that their properties are free from dangerous conditions that might cause injury. Failure to fulfill this duty can lead to liability in personal injury cases. Depending on the circumstances leading up to your fall, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible party. If you fell on private property, such as a home or business establishment, the responsible party may include:
- Landlord
- Property owner
- Insurance company
- Business owner
- Employer
- General contractor
If you fell on government-owned property in the state of New York, you can pursue damage claims against the responsible municipal party, which may be a city, town, county, or even the state.
It’s important to note that if you are injured on government property or a municipality may otherwise be implicated, your case is governed by strict filing requirements that make suing a municipality more difficult than suing a private citizen, business, or corporation. The statute of limitations is usually shorter, and prior written notice of the specific condition is generally required.
Regardless of who you think may be responsible for your injuries, time is of critical importance. That is why it is imperative to speak with a reputable New York personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Any delay may reduce or eliminate any chance of recovery.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents can be caused by any number of factors, many of which are highly preventable. These can include:
- Broken sidewalks
- Snow or ice
- Poor lighting
- Cracked or damaged steps or potholes
- Puddles of fluid on the ground
- Loose mats or rugs
Essentially, any type of uneven or slippery walking surface can spell trouble for pedestrians, whether on the streets, at work, or in restaurants and retail establishments. These types of incidents are often the responsibility of the property owner or municipality that failed to fix the dangerous or defective condition.
