Cracked sidewalk accidents in New York City cause thousands of injuries to unsuspecting pedestrians and passersby, whether you are a young child, active professional and especially if you’re a senior citizen. These accidents cause such serious injuries because the person who trips is completely unaware and has absolutely no time or opportunity to brace themselves. What happens is that the full body weight of the person comes crashing down of the body part that accident victim lands on. Falling from standing height can cause broken bones, torn tendons and ligaments, nerve damage and head trauma.
That risk is even greater for the elderly. According to the CDC not only do elderly individuals take longer to recover from broken bones after falls, their injuries can contribute to life-threatening complications like infection and re-hospitalization, and increase risk of sudden death.
Who Is Responsible for Sidewalk Accidents in New York City?
Sidewalk accidents in New York City are covered under the Administrative Code, Section 7-210 which the provides that the City of New York will not be liable for any injury caused by the failure to maintain the public sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition with the exception of sidewalks abutting a one, two or three family house that owner occupied and used exclusively for residential use.
This means repair and maintenance of the sidewalk adjacent to an office building, apartment complex, house of worship or any kind of commercial building is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner-whether that owner is an individual or a corporation.
Sidewalks adjacent to public spaces (like city parks) and municipal buildings are still the responsibility of the City of New York.
As you can see, determining exactly where the accident happened is crucial when identifying who is liable for your injuries.
Protect Yourself
Getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries and lost time from work after a sidewalk accident in New York City can be difficult. Call the experienced professionals at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today.