New York slip and fall accidents injure thousands of residents and visitors every year. Nationwide they’re responsible for over 9 million injuries. They’re also one of the most common types of accidents in the workplace (according to official OSHA statistics), accounting for 35% of all deaths in the construction industry alone. And, unfortunately, they’re the leading cause of accidental death among the elderly.
Most slip and fall accidents in New York City (at least those outside the home) are caused by:
• Wet and/or slippery surfaces (such as rain-slick surfaces at a retail store’s entrance)
• Debris (such as vegetable leaves in the produce department of a supermarket)
• Weather-related conditions (such as uncleared snow or ice built up on sidewalks and entryways to public buildings)
• Poor or improper lighting (inadequate overhead lighting in building and subway stairwells)
• Uneven or elevated surfaces (such as cracked sidewalks or broken tile flooring)
• Unstable surfaces (such as unstable outdoor decks and balconies)
According to the Dr. Louis Peterson (of Peterson Chiropractic), who deals with the chiropractic rehabilitation of slip and fall accident patients, there are a number of factors which can affect the types of injuries suffered during an accident. Some of these include: the height of the fall, landing position, the physical condition of the victim prior to the fall, and the type of surface they impact.
Injuries range from torn muscles and ligaments, broken bones, even brain damage or death. Dr. Peterson says that even something as simple as a headache can be caused by an unnoticed spinal injury.
New York Vocational Academy notes that many of the top causes for slip and fall accidents are completely preventable. And because they are preventable, retail stores, restaurants, even New York City itself may be found liable for any injuries suffered during a slip and fall accident.
Slip and fall liability in New York is generally determined by negligence. If a building owner or owner of a store, restaurant, or public venue such as a theater notes a potential hazard and fails to do anything to keep people from falling, the property or business owner can be made to pay for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall, contact an expert New York slip and fall attorney immediately to safeguard your right to a financial award. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at or 212-385-1122 for a free consultation to learn your rights.