Are you ready for another season of ice and snow covered sidewalk accidents in New York City? After a relatively mild, fall winter has finally gripped NYC again with snow and frigid temperatures. It’s just a matter of time before sidewalks and roadways become hazardous and dangerous to innocent motorists and pedestrians. Ice, snow, sleet, and even leftover leaves and other debris can become extremely slippery in subzero temperatures, making sidewalks, stairways, and even handicap accessible ramps a potential threat to anyone.
Take your eyes off your feet for just a second and you can go down hard. Every year hundreds of New Yorkers do. They’re rushed to city hospitals with injuries ranging from minor bruising to broken bones and worse. Most recover in days. Some are left longer lasting after effects which can put a serious hurt on their family’s financial situation.
A trip to the hospital can be very expensive. A 2013 NYT story highlighted a woman’s 15-minute ambulance ride which costed her $1,700. A similar story in Time that year found an ER visit for a simple sprain racked up a $1,400 bill. The price tag nearly doubled to $2,100 for broken bones or open wounds.
Accident victims should not be responsible for these expensive medical bills? New York premises law makes certain property owners (including the city itself) responsible for not clearing away the snow and ice. If an apartment or commercial property owner doesn’t clear the sidewalk, they may be liable for the pain and suffering associated with injuries from a slip and fall accident along with lost time from work and medical expenses.
If property owners do not clear the sidewalk within a reasonable amount of time after a storm, a slip and fall victim has the right to file a civil lawsuit to recover monetary compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.
If you’ve been injured on an ice and snow covered sidewalk, contact the experienced sidewalk accident attorneys at the Law offices of Nussin S. Fogel. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 without any further delay .