Slip and fall accidents and trip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of accidents people face across New York City. In many cases, these accidents can be blamed on someone who failed to properly clean up a spill or keep their property safe for guests, customers, and passers-by. While some injuries are caused by nature or pure accidents, many slip and fall accidents justify premises liability lawsuits. The Queens slip and fall injury lawyers at Sullivan and Galleshaw explain some of the most common cause of slip and fall and trip and fall injuries in New York City.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in New York
Slip and fall cases and trip and fall cases both fall under a type of personal injury case known as premises liability cases. In these cases, one party’s failure to keep their property safe or warn of hidden dangers leads to another person’s injury. The victim who slipped or tripped on their property can sue the owner for the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many of the accidents that lead to these kinds of slip and fall lawsuits are somewhat common scenarios. Our injury attorneys explain some of the most common types of slip and fall cases:
Icy Sidewalk Injuries
In the winter months, New York can be coated in ice and snow for a long time. Property owners must understand the risks associated with walking or running on ice and snow, and the law puts the burden of cleaning up on those owners. Building owners and tenants must keep their sidewalks and walkways clear of ice and snow to help protect people passing through as well as customers and other visitors to their property. If you fall on a slick patch of ice or snow, you could seriously injure your head and back during a fall. Traumatic brain injuries from icy sidewalks and spinal cord injuries caused by unsalted or un-shoveled walkways are all too common in NY.
Uneven Sidewalks
Sidewalks are expected to be somewhat even and flat. Pedestrians, runners, and joggers could be at risk for tripping or stumbling over uneven edges or broken concrete, especially in areas where tree roots or other growth is responsible for pushing the sidewalk into uneven shapes. Falling in this manner can be very unexpected, easily leading a victim to fall into hard concrete, potentially suffering blunt force trauma, broken bones, and severe cuts and scrapes. These kinds of dangers are even worse in the dark or for children, older adults, or people with physical disabilities and handicaps.
Dangerous Cables and Wires
Cables and wires laid across an area with a lot of foot traffic can be quite dangerous. Getting your foot snagged on a cable can often surprise you and send you tumbling to the floor. On a carpeted surface, the injuries may not be too severe – but on concrete, tile, or outside, the injuries could be much more serious. Things like sound systems and speakers, power tools, vacuum cleaners, power generators, and other powered devices could require running extension cords and other wires across walkways. Failing to tape-down these cables and failing to put warning signs could lead to injuries that the property owner should be responsible for.
Spills and Slippery Surfaces
Grocery stores, convenience stores, and bodegas commonly have spills from ice machines, spilled beverages, or dropped merchandise. Other floors can become wet and dangerous if people track rain and snow in on their shoes or umbrellas or if custodians are mopping or waxing the floor. In any case, building owners should put warning signs or wait until after hours to clean the floors to prevent injuries. People who slip in open lobbies or atriums may have no handrails or walls to break their fall and could suffer serious injuries.
Falls on Public Transportation
Falls on subways, buses, trains, and other public transit are unfortunately quite common. Many trains and buses are standing room only, especially at heavy commuter hours. If the car suddenly jerks or jolts and knocks you to the ground, you could fall into other people, be trampled, or hit your head on metal seats or handrails. Even on platforms, poorly maintained steps or walkways can lead to serious falls on MTA property, for which the MTA should be held responsible.
Queens Slip and Fall Lawyers Offering Free Consultations in NYC
After a serious injury, you should always seek medical care. After getting your injuries treated, talk to a slip and fall attorney about your case. A serious injury that causes you substantial medical expenses, keeps you from work, or causes intense pain and suffering could entitle you to file a personal injury lawsuit. The Queens personal injury lawyers at Sullivan and Galleshaw, LLP, offer free consultations to help you with your case. To schedule your free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (718) 843-0300.