A sweeping change to a City ordinance may make it easier for victims of certain types of slip and fall sidewalk accidents in New York City to get the compensation they deserve. Currently, the responsibility of maintaining the sidewalk adjacent to a building falls to the building’s owner (if the building houses four families or more). The homeowner had a legal obligation to regularly inspect and repair the adjoining sidewalk. That responsibility extended to the building’s owner even if the sidewalk was damaged by trees planted by the City.
Now, a new change to the regulations means that the City itself will be accepting responsibility for damage caused by tree roots. Roots grow under the surface, causing concrete and stone pavers to crack, rise upward, or become loose-all of which may create a trip and fall hazard. Under this new regulation, the City will have to repair this tree-root damage once they’ve been notified of an issue. If it fails to do so, it could once again be held financially liable for any injuries by victims of these type of trip and fall accidents.
What this means for victims of these common types of personal injury accidents is that along with certain private property owners, the City could be held responsible for their injuries. A personal injury lawsuit could result in payment for:
- Unpaid medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Sidewalk accidents in New York can cause serious injury which may result in broken bones, nerve damage, and even Traumatic Brain Injury. Elderly individuals and small children are especially at risk of serious injury due a trip and fall accident on the sidewalk.
If you’ve been injured because of a cracked, uplifted, or defective sidewalk, you need an experienced sidewalk accident attorney in New York City in order to help you determine just who is liable and how to get the full compensation you deserve.
Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation without any further delay.