Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorney - NYC

Who Needs a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in New York City?

You need a slip and fall accident attorney if you've been injured due to hazardous property conditions that the owner knew about or should have known about. Common scenarios include slipping on wet floors in grocery stores or restaurants without warning signs, falling on icy sidewalks that weren't salted or cleared, tripping on broken or uneven pavement, falling down stairs with missing handrails or defective risers, and slipping on freshly mopped floors in apartment buildings or office lobbies.
Adults over 65 face particularly high risks, they represent 25% of all slip and fall injuries in NYC and often suffer hip fractures that prevent them from returning to their pre-accident activity levels. Women account for 55% of slip and fall accidents citywide. Manhattan and Brooklyn lead in incidents due to aging infrastructure, heavy foot traffic, and variable weather conditions that create ice and snow hazards.

Property owners and managers throughout New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and warn visitors of known dangers. When they fail, victims deserve full compensation for their injuries.

What to Expect When You Hire a Slip and Fall Attorney

Our process is designed to maximize your recovery while you focus on healing. Here's what happens when you work with us:

Free Case Evaluation: 

We review your accident details, examine any photos or videos, and provide an honest assessment of your case's strengths. You'll understand your legal rights and options before you commit to anything.

Immediate Investigation: 

We visit the accident site as quickly as possible, sometimes the very next day, to document hazardous conditions before they're repaired. We photograph the scene, measure defects, interview witnesses, and gather evidence like surveillance footage and maintenance records.

Building Your Case: 

We retain top experts in engineering, premises safety, and orthopedics who can testify about code violations and the severity of your injuries. We handle all communication with property owners, insurance companies, and defense attorneys so you're never pressured or tricked into statements that hurt your case.

Aggressive Negotiation: 

Armed with compelling evidence and expert opinions, we demand full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. We're prepared to take your case to trial if insurers won't offer fair settlement.

Trial-Ready Representation: 

With 39+ years of courtroom experience, we know how to present your case to a jury. We prepare every witness, cross-examine defense experts, and deliver powerful opening and closing arguments that hold negligent property owners accountable.

Benefits of Hiring Michael Gunzburg, P.C. for Your Slip and Fall Case

Maximum Compensation for All Your Losses: 

We recover damages for past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost income during recovery, diminished earning capacity if you can't return to your previous work, and compensation for chronic pain, limited mobility, and loss of independence. One client who fell on defective stairs received compensation nearly five times what their previous lawyer proposed to settle for. Another client injured on wet apartment stairs received $550,000 that covered decompression and fusion surgery with permanent hardware.

Protection from Property Owner Defenses: 

Property owners and their insurers will claim they had no notice of the dangerous condition, that the hazard was "open and obvious" and you should have seen it, or that you were careless and caused your own fall. We know these tactics. In one case, building owners denied knowledge of falling ice for years, until we uncovered a critical document proving they knew about the hazard and agreed to fix it long before our client was struck. We gather the evidence that breaks through these defenses.

Deep Investigation That Uncovers the Truth: 

We don't just accept what property owners claim. We obtain maintenance logs, repair records, and prior incident reports. We check for building code violations and interview other people who've experienced similar hazards on the property. In cases involving government entities like the City of New York, we identify prior violation notices that prove the city knew about the defect years before your accident.

Personal Attention Throughout Your Recovery: 

Unlike high-volume "settlement mills" that treat you like a case number, we limit our caseload so we can give you individualized attention. Clients tell us they appreciate our 24-hour callback policy and frequent updates. One client said, "I actually missed hearing from them" after the case concluded because we stayed in such close contact. We'll help you understand your No-Fault insurance coverage, guide you to qualified medical providers, and answer every question you have about the legal process.

No Upfront Costs, We Only Get Paid If You Win: 

We handle slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This means you can afford the same high-quality legal representation that wealthy corporations use, regardless of your financial situation.

Common Questions About Slip and Fall Cases in New York City

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in New York?

You have three years from the date of your fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. However, if you fell on government property, such as a city sidewalk, public park, or inside a government building, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can permanently destroy your right to compensation, so contact an attorney immediately after any serious fall.

What do I need to prove in a slip and fall case?

You must prove the property owner created the dangerous condition or knew about it (or should have known through reasonable inspection) and failed to fix it or warn you. Evidence includes photos of the hazard, incident reports, maintenance records showing the owner knew about the problem, building code violations, weather reports for ice and snow cases, and witness statements. Medical records linking your injuries directly to the fall are also required. An experienced attorney knows how to gather and present this evidence effectively.

How much is my slip and fall case worth?

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, how long you miss work, whether you suffer permanent disability, and the strength of evidence proving the property owner's negligence. Minor injuries that heal quickly might settle for $10,000 to $50,000. Serious injuries requiring surgery, resulting in permanent limitations, or causing traumatic brain injury can be worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $250,000 for a hand injury from a shattered window to $1.7 million for injuries on defective stairs.

What if the property owner says the condition was "open and obvious"?

Property owners often argue you should have seen the hazard and avoided it. However, New York law requires owners to maintain safe conditions even if hazards are visible. We've successfully argued that shadows obscured steps, wet floors blended with surrounding surfaces, or the victim was distracted by legitimate business activities when they fell. In one case, we proved a protruding step was visually obscured and violated NYC Building Code, leading to a seven-figure settlement even though the owner claimed it was obvious.

Can I sue if I fell on a New York City sidewalk?

Yes, but the process differs depending on who's responsible for that sidewalk section. Generally, adjacent property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks in front of their buildings. You would sue the property owner, not the city. However, if the city created the defect during construction or repair work, you may have a claim against the city, but you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. An attorney can investigate city records to determine who bears responsibility for your specific sidewalk section.

What if I was partially at fault for my fall?

New York follows "pure comparative negligence" rules. Even if you were partially at fault, perhaps you were texting while walking or wearing inappropriate shoes, you can still recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your case is worth $100,000 and you're found 20% at fault, you'd receive $80,000. Insurance companies will try to exaggerate your fault to reduce their payout, which is why you need an attorney who can counter these arguments.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

No. Insurance adjusters routinely make lowball offers within days of accidents, hoping to close cases cheaply before victims realize the full extent of their injuries. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, or nerve damage, don't show their true severity for weeks or months. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot ask for more money later if your injuries worsen or your medical bills exceed what you expected. Never settle without consulting an attorney.

How long does it take to resolve a slip and fall case?

Straightforward cases with clear liability and moderate injuries often settle within 6 to 18 months. Complex cases involving disputed liability, severe injuries, or government defendants can take 2 to 4 years if they go to trial. The timeline depends on the length of your medical treatment (you shouldn't settle until you reach maximum medical improvement), how long it takes to gather evidence and complete depositions, and whether the insurance company makes a reasonable settlement offer. We work efficiently but never rush your case at the expense of full compensation.

What types of injuries do slip and fall victims suffer?

Common slip and fall injuries include hip fractures (especially in older adults), broken wrists and arms from trying to catch yourself, traumatic brain injuries from striking your head on the ground, spinal cord injuries and herniated discs, torn ligaments and soft tissue injuries, and shoulder dislocations. Many victims develop chronic pain conditions and lose the ability to work in physical jobs. Some injuries require multiple surgeries and leave permanent disabilities. The average serious slip and fall injury costs approximately $47,000 in medical expenses alone, not counting lost wages and pain and suffering.

Do I really need a lawyer for a slip and fall case?

Property owners and insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. Studies show that injury victims represented by attorneys receive 2.4 to 3.5 times higher compensation than those who handle claims alone. Slip and fall cases are legally complex, you must prove the owner knew or should have known about the hazard, navigate comparative negligence defenses, and understand building codes and safety regulations. An experienced attorney knows how to gather evidence before it disappears, consult the right experts, and negotiate with adjusters trained to minimize payouts.

What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?

Report the incident to the property owner or manager immediately and ask them to document it in an incident report. Take photos or videos of the hazard from multiple angles, including any lack of warning signs. Get names and contact information of anyone who witnessed your fall. Seek medical attention right away, even if you think you're not seriously hurt, some injuries become apparent hours or days later. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before consulting an attorney. Call us at 212-725-8500 as soon as possible so we can begin investigating while evidence is still fresh.

Will my case go to trial?

Most slip and fall cases settle before trial, often during mediation or after we file a lawsuit and complete discovery. However, we prepare every case for trial from day one. This trial-ready approach strengthens our negotiating position and shows insurance companies we're willing to fight in court if they won't offer fair compensation. Our 39+ years of courtroom experience includes numerous jury verdicts, so insurers know we're not bluffing. When we do go to trial, we have the skills and resources to present compelling evidence and win.

Areas We Serve

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents slip and fall accident victims throughout New York City and surrounding areas. We serve clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Long Island. Whether you fell in a Manhattan office building, a Brooklyn apartment complex, a Queens retail store, or anywhere else in the metro area, we're here to help. Our office is conveniently located to serve all five boroughs, and we'll meet you at a location that works for your recovery needs.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with a New York City Slip and Fall Attorney

If you've been injured in a slip and fall accident, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and legal deadlines approach faster than you think. The property owner's insurance company is already building their defense, you need an experienced personal injury attorney protecting your rights.

Call 212-725-8500 right now for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review your case, explain your legal options, and tell you honestly whether we can help. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There's no risk in calling and everything to gain.

Don't let a property owner's negligence destroy your financial future. We've spent 39+ years holding negligent property owners accountable and recovering millions of dollars for injured clients. Let us fight for you.

Other Personal Injury Attorney Services We Offer

• Trip and Fall Accident Attorney
• Premises Liability Attorney
• Construction Accident Attorney
• Pedestrian Accident Attorney
• Car Accident Attorney
• Medical Malpractice Attorney