New York City
Slip and Fall lawyer

A slip and fall accident can change your life in seconds. Whether it happens on a cracked sidewalk in Manhattan, a wet floor at a Brooklyn grocery store, or a poorly lit stairwell in Queens, the impact can be serious. The Silbowitz Firm has decades of experience standing up for New Yorkers injured in falls. If you were hurt because of unsafe property conditions, our New York City slip and fall lawyer is ready to fight for you. Call us today at (516) 375-6692 for a free consultation.

Why Slip and Fall Accidents Are So Common in NYC

New York City is home to more than 8.5 million people, along with millions of daily commuters and tourists. With so much foot traffic across subways, sidewalks, high-rise buildings, and public spaces, accidents are bound to happen. The city’s aging infrastructure adds to the risks.

Every year, thousands of New Yorkers are treated for fall-related injuries. The Department of Health reports that falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in the city. More than 17,000 residents are hospitalized after falls each year, and older adults face the highest risk.

Slip and fall accidents often happen because property owners fail to keep their spaces safe. Landlords, businesses, and government agencies all have a duty to repair hazards or warn people about them. When they don’t, the consequences can be life-changing.

How We Help Slip and Fall Victims

When you work with our team, you get more than legal representation. You get support from attorneys who understand the unique challenges of living and working in New York City. Mitchell Silbowitz can help by:

• Investigating the cause of your accident and gathering evidence
• Speaking with witnesses and reviewing video footage if available
• Consulting with doctors to understand the extent of your injuries
• Calculating both current and future costs tied to your accident
• Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement
• Taking your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered
  

We know how to handle claims against private landlords, big corporations, and even city agencies. Our experience gives you a strong chance of recovering compensation.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in New York

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere in the city. Some of the most common hazards include:

• Wet floors in grocery stores, restaurants, and office buildings
• Ice and snow left uncleared on sidewalks during winter
• Broken or uneven pavement around neighborhoods like the Bronx and Queens
• Loose floorboards or torn carpeting in apartment buildings
• Poor lighting in stairwells and subway entrances
• Broken handrails in high-rise residential and office buildings
• Clutter and debris left in walkways on construction sites
• Unsafe ladders used by workers or tenants
  

New York’s fast pace often makes people less cautious when walking. Combined with unsafe property conditions, that speed can turn a small hazard into a serious accident.

Types of Slip and Fall Injuries

Not all falls cause serious harm, but many do. Slip and fall victims often face injuries that require weeks, months, or even years of treatment. Some common injuries include:

Spinal Cord Injuries

Landing on your back or neck can cause spinal cord damage. Victims may experience severe pain, nerve problems, breathing difficulties, or even paralysis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Falls often lead to head injuries, especially if someone hits concrete or a hard floor. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, mood swings, or seizures. Some victims never fully recover.

Broken Bones

Wrists, hips, and ankles are especially vulnerable in falls. These fractures often require surgery, physical therapy, and long recovery times.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Torn ligaments, sprains, and joint injuries are common. While they may not sound serious, these injuries can limit mobility and cause chronic pain.

Slip and fall injuries affect more than your health. They can keep you from working, increase medical debt, and lower your quality of life.

NYC Accident Statistics: Falls in Perspective

Slip and fall accidents are part of a larger problem in New York City. In 2024, citywide data showed:

• More than 20,000 accidents were reported in the first half of the year
• Over 27,000 people were injured, including pedestrians and cyclists
• 141 people lost their lives in traffic-related incidents
  

While not all of these were slip and falls, they show how dangerous daily life in the city can be.

Falls are a top cause of injury-related emergency room visits in NYC. More than 40% of injuries among adults over 65 are caused by falls. Manhattan, with its dense sidewalks and high-rise stairwells, consistently reports some of the highest rates of fall-related hospitalizations in the state.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Slip and Fall

Every case is different, but victims may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills for emergency care, surgery, or rehabilitation
• Lost wages if the injury prevents you from working
• Loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
• Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life if you can’t do activities you once loved
• Emotional distress tied to the trauma of your accident
  

If a slip and fall leads to a wrongful death, surviving families can also pursue damages for funeral costs and loss of companionship.

The Statute of Limitations in New York

New York law sets a strict deadline for filing personal injury claims. Victims generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to compensation.

There are exceptions, especially when filing claims against government agencies like the City of New York or the MTA. In those cases, you often have just 90 days to file a notice of claim. This is why it’s important to act quickly.

Determining Fault in Slip and Fall Accidents

Establishing fault is often one of the most complex parts of a case. Property owners may argue that you weren’t paying attention or that the hazard was obvious.

We gather evidence to prove liability by:

• Reviewing surveillance video
• Speaking to witnesses who saw the fall
• Collecting maintenance records from the property owner
• Working with safety experts to show violations
  

New York follows a comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by that percentage, but you could still recover the rest.

How Insurance Companies Handle Slip and Fall Claims

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Common tactics include:

• Offering a quick but low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Arguing that your injuries were pre-existing
• Delaying responses to pressure you into giving up
• Claiming that you were careless and caused your own accident
  

We take on insurance companies directly. Our job is to protect you from unfair tactics and make sure your case is taken seriously.

Costs of Hiring a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Many people hesitate to hire a lawyer because they fear the cost. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict
  

This system allows anyone, regardless of income, to pursue justice.

Local Context: Why New Yorkers Need Strong Representation

Slip and fall cases in New York are shaped by the city’s unique character. From the steep steps of subway stations like Union Square to the crowded aisles of Queens supermarkets, hazards are everywhere.

Some well-known slip and fall hotspots include:

• Sidewalks near Times Square, where millions of tourists walk daily
• Busy subway platforms, especially after rain or snow
• Public housing stairwells that often lack proper maintenance
• Construction sites around Midtown and Downtown Manhattan
• Grocery stores in Brooklyn where spills aren’t cleaned up quickly
  

Living in a city as old and crowded as New York increases risks. That’s why our law firm focuses on helping local residents and workers hold property owners accountable.

Why Choose The Silbowitz Firm

Our team has decades of experience representing injured New Yorkers. We’ve recovered millions for clients across all five boroughs. What sets us apart is our dedication to:

• Treating every client like family
• Offering free case evaluations
• Staying available to answer your questions 24/7
  
• Using local knowledge to strengthen your case
• Fighting aggressively in negotiations and the courtroom
  

We know what it takes to go up against landlords, corporations, and city agencies. More importantly, we know how much your recovery matters.

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait. Call The Silbowitz Firm at (516) 375-6692 for a free consultation. Our New York City slip and fall lawyer will review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.