First, you should get medical help immediately, even if you don’t think you’re badly hurt; this will help document your injuries and link them to the accident. You should also do the following:

1. Document the accident. Take notes on how and where it happened, and snap photos of the hazard that caused your fall.
2. Get written statements from any witnesses. Their accounts can be crucial for your claim.
3. Report the accident to the property owner or manager and ask for a copy of the incident report.
4. Don't discuss the accident or your injuries with the property owner or their insurance without first talking with our slip and fall lawyers.

You don’t need a lawyer to file a slip-and-fall claim, but it’s highly recommended. Insurance companies often try to minimize injuries or offer low settlements before you’ve spoken with an attorney.

New York’s statute of limitations states that you have three years to file a personal injury claim for slip-and-fall-related incidents. However, if the claim is for wrongful death, it must be brought within two years from the date of death. The time to sue a municipality may be significantly shorter, depending on whom the claim is against.

Consult our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to learn more about your options.

Slip and fall victims may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Disfigurement and scarring

To recover these damages, we'll need to show that the property owner either knew about the hazard that caused your fall or should have known and didn't fix it.

The short answer is yes. New York uses a comparative negligence rule, so your percentage of fault can reduce your compensation.

For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you’d still get $80,000. That said, our attorneys will work hard to reduce your share of fault and maximize your payment.