Helping injured clients in Manhattan pursue full recovery in slip and fall matters.
If you fell on a wet floor, a broken staircase, or a cracked sidewalk in Manhattan, a Manhattan, NY slip and fall lawyer at The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP can investigate what happened and hold the responsible party accountable. Our firm has represented injured New Yorkers for decades, recovering substantial compensation in premises cases across the city. Schedule a free consultation to find out whether you have a claim.
Slip and Fall Lawyer Manhattan, NY
What is a slip and fall case? It’s a type of premises liability claim brought by someone injured because a property owner failed to keep their property reasonably safe. The hazard might be a spill that sat on a supermarket floor for an hour, a loose handrail in a walk-up, or ice that was never cleared from a building entrance. When the owner knew about the danger, or should have known, and did nothing, the law allows the injured person to seek compensation.
A slip and fall attorney in Manhattan builds that case. We identify who controlled the property, gather proof that the hazard existed long enough to be discovered, and document how the fall changed your life. The difference between a trip and fall and a slip and fall matters less than proving the owner’s negligence caused your injury.
Manhattan presents unique premises liability challenges that set it apart from other jurisdictions. The borough’s density means that thousands of people pass through the same lobby, sidewalk, or stairwell every day, which raises the standard of care property owners must meet. A hazard that might go unnoticed for hours in a rural setting becomes unreasonable within minutes in a busy Midtown building. Owners and managers of high-traffic properties are expected to inspect, maintain, and respond to dangerous conditions more frequently precisely because the risk of injury is so much greater.
Types of Slip and Fall Cases We Handle in Manhattan
Falls happen everywhere in this borough, from Midtown office towers to corner bodegas in Washington Heights. Our Manhattan slip and fall lawyers have handled claims arising in nearly every kind of property. These are the cases we see most often.
- Supermarket and store falls. Spilled liquids, fallen produce, and freshly mopped floors without warning signs cause many of these claims. We work to establish constructive knowledge, meaning proof the store should have found and fixed the hazard before you fell.
- Restaurant and bar falls. Grease near kitchens, drink spills, and dim lighting create hazards for patrons. Our firm secured a $1.5 million settlement for a client who suffered back injuries after a slip and fall at a fast food restaurant.
- Apartment and residential building falls. Broken stairs, missing handrails, and poorly lit hallways injure tenants and guests. We examine when landlord liability applies and pursue building owners and management companies.
- Sidewalk falls. Manhattan sidewalks crack, heave, and crumble. Responsibility usually falls on the adjacent property owner, though claims against the city are sometimes possible.
- Snow and ice falls. Owners must clear walkways within a reasonable time after a storm. We document the weather history and the owner’s failure to act.
- Stairway falls. Uneven risers, worn treads, and code violations turn stairs into hazards. These falls often produce fractures and head trauma.
- Elevator and escalator incidents. A misleveled elevator can cause a violent fall. We obtained a $1,725,000 settlement for a client who suffered a knee injury due to a misleveled elevator.
- Office and commercial building falls. Lobbies, parking garages, and loading areas present their own risks, and the question of which property owners are liable can involve several companies at once.
Why Choose The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP as my Slip and Fall Lawyer in Manhattan, NY?
A Record of Results in Premises Cases
Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients, including the slip and fall settlements described above. We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. Insurance carriers know which firms try cases and which firms fold, and that reputation affects every settlement negotiation. When a fall causes lasting harm, that preparation matters.
Trial Lawyers Focused on Injured New Yorkers
We represent plaintiffs only. Our attorneys belong to the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and have been recognized by Super Lawyers for their work in personal injury litigation. Every slip and fall client receives a free consultation, and we take the time to explain what your case involves before you commit to anything. Falls that cause head injuries may also support a claim handled by a TBI lawyer at our firm, and when a fall proves fatal, a Manhattan wrongful death lawyer can advise the family on their rights.
What Is Important to Understand About a Slip and Fall Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Slip and Fall Cases
New York negligence law requires proof that the property owner owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. Liability often turns on notice. Did the owner create the hazard, know about it, or have enough time that they should have known?
Several categories of damages are available in these claims:
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the injury
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR 1411. Your own carelessness does not bar recovery, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Are Important Aspects of a Slip and Fall Case?
Evidence disappears fast in these cases. Spills get mopped, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses move on. The steps after a fall that you take in the first days can shape the entire claim. Important aspects include:
- Photographs of the hazard taken before conditions change
- Incident reports filed with the store, building, or business
- Medical records connecting the fall to your injuries
- Witness names and contact information
- Preservation letters demanding that video footage be saved
Falls are not minor events. According to CDC fall data, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults 65 and older, and one in four older adults falls each year.
What Is the Slip and Fall Case Timeline?
Most premises cases follow a similar timeline, though the length varies with the severity of the injury and the defendant’s willingness to negotiate. The typical stages look like this:
- Investigation and evidence preservation in the weeks after the fall
- Medical treatment until your condition stabilizes
- Filing the claim and serving the responsible parties
- Discovery, including depositions and document exchange
- Settlement negotiations, mediation, or trial
Many cases resolve within one to two years. Cases involving severe injuries or disputed liability take longer, and the time to file is limited by statute, so waiting carries real risk.
What Should You Bring to Your Slip and Fall Consultation?
You don’t need a complete file to meet with us. Bring what you have, and we will gather the rest. Useful items include:
- Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
- Medical records and bills received so far
- Any incident report or correspondence from the property owner or insurer
- The names of witnesses
- Your footwear from the day of the fall, if available
The personal injury consultation is free and confidential. We review the facts, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your claim.
What Are Important New York Legal Resources for Slip and Fall Cases?
New York publishes its statutes online, and a few of them matter in nearly every slip and fall claim. These resources can help you confirm the rules that apply to your case.
- CPLR Section 214 sets a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury actions in New York.
- CPLR Section 1411 explains the state’s comparative negligence rule for reducing damages by a claimant’s share of fault.
- General Municipal Law 50-e requires a notice of claim, generally within 90 days, before suing a municipality.
- The NYC DOT sidewalks page explains property owners’ duty to maintain adjoining sidewalks.
Reach Out to The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP to Schedule a Consultation
A fall can change your health, your income, and your daily life in a single moment. Our Manhattan slip and fall attorneys are ready to review your case at no cost and explain your options clearly. Contact us to schedule a free consultation, and a member of our staff will respond promptly to set up a time that works for you.
The sooner you reach out, the better positioned we are to protect your claim. Evidence fades, surveillance footage gets deleted, and witnesses become harder to locate with each passing day. Our team can move quickly to preserve what matters and begin building your case from the ground up. Whether your fall happened in a grocery store, an apartment building, or on a public sidewalk, we have the experience to take on property owners and their insurers and fight for the full compensation you deserve.