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Slip, Trip & Fall · Practice area

Slip, Trip & Fall Injury Lawyers in New York City & Long Island

Injured in a slip or trip and fall in NYC or Long Island? Leitner Warywoda helps victims recover compensation for unsafe conditions, poor maintenance & landlord negligence.

Claims against the City
Notice of claim within 90 days
Where we practice
NYC · Long Island · Statewide
Fee
No fee unless we recover
Confidential
Case review
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01 · Overview

Legal Support for Victims of Falls on Dangerous Property

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen fast—but the consequences can last a lifetime. At Leitner Warywoda, we represent clients across New York City and Long Island who have suffered serious injuries due to hazardous property conditions. Whether you fell in a grocery store, tripped on a broken sidewalk, or slipped in a poorly maintained apartment building, we’re here to investigate your case, identify the responsible parties, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our firm handles all types of premises liability claims and has secured significant settlements and verdicts for clients facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term physical recovery after preventable falls.

02 · Slip, Trip & Fall

Where Do Slip & Fall Accidents Commonly Happen?

Falls can occur in any public or private location—especially in a city like New York, where foot traffic is constant and weather can add to the danger. We regularly represent clients injured in locations such as:

  • Sidewalks with cracks, gaps, or ice buildup
  • Staircases with broken railings or missing steps
  • Apartment building lobbies and hallways
  • Grocery stores and shopping centers with spills or clutter
  • Subway platforms and station entrances
  • Parking garages, ramps, and outdoor walkways
  • Public housing and rent-stabilized apartments

If your fall was caused by negligence, poor maintenance, or failure to correct a known hazard, you may have a valid legal claim.

03 · Slip, Trip & Fall

Who Is Liable for a Slip, Trip, or Fall?

Property owners, landlords, business operators, and government entities have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for guests and residents. When they fail to address dangerous conditions—or don’t post clear warnings about known hazards—they may be held liable for any resulting injuries.

Common parties that may be held responsible in a slip or trip and fall case include:

  • Private property owners (residential or commercial)
  • Landlords and building managers
  • Business owners and franchise operators
  • Municipalities (for public sidewalks, streets, or public buildings)
  • Snow removal or maintenance contractors

Leitner Warywoda will identify the correct defendant(s), gather evidence, and build a strong case showing how their negligence directly contributed to your injury.

04 · Slip, Trip & Fall

Types of Injuries We Commonly See in Fall Cases

A momentary loss of footing can result in life-altering injuries, especially for seniors or people with pre-existing health conditions. Some of the most common injuries we pursue compensation for include:

  • Broken bones, including hips, wrists, and ankles
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord damage or herniated discs
  • Knee, shoulder, or back injuries
  • Lacerations, scarring, and facial trauma
  • Chronic pain, nerve damage, and mobility loss

We work closely with medical experts and specialists to fully assess how your fall has impacted your life—and to project the future costs of care, therapy, or long-term limitations.

05 · Slip, Trip & Fall

Let Leitner Warywoda Handle the Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often minimize or deny slip and fall claims, blaming the victim or downplaying the hazard. We’ve seen it all—and we don’t let it slide. Our attorneys will take over communication, conduct a detailed site investigation, consult with safety experts, and demand the maximum compensation under the law.

And if the other side won’t offer a fair settlement? We’re not afraid to take your case to trial. Our reputation for aggressive litigation is exactly what insurance carriers don’t want to see across the table.

06 · Slip, Trip & Fall

Call for a Free Consultation Today

Don’t let a negligent property owner or business get away with failing to protect you. If you’ve been injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident anywhere in New York City or Long Island, call Leitner Warywoda PLLC. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.

How a case proceeds

From the first call to a resolution.

  1. 1

    A real conversation, free

    You tell us what happened. We tell you honestly whether it looks like a case, what the deadlines are, and what we would need to see.

  2. 2

    We investigate before we file

    Records, scene evidence, witnesses, and review by qualified experts. Most of what wins a case is gathered before a complaint is ever served.

  3. 3

    Litigation, built for trial

    Depositions, motions and expert disclosure, prepared as though the case will be tried, because defendants offer their best number to firms that are ready to try it.

  4. 4

    Resolution, your decision

    Settle or try it: that choice is yours, made with a clear picture of the offer, the risk and the timeline.

Results

Recent slip, trip & fall recoveries.

All results
$2.65M
Settlement during trial

Slip and fall.

$1.957M
Settlement during trial

Slip and fall.

$600K
Settlement · 2025

Slip and fall on private property.

$400K
Settlement · 2021

Slip and fall on private property.

$375K
Settlement · 2024

Slip and fall involving a municipality.

$362.5K
Settlement · 2022

Premises liability, private property.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Questions clients ask

Frequently asked questions.

Who is liable for a slip and fall on someone else's property in New York?

The owner, tenant, or manager who controls the property may be liable if they created the dangerous condition or had actual or constructive notice of it and failed to fix it or warn about it. Constructive notice means the hazard was visible and apparent and existed long enough that it should have been discovered and corrected. Who is responsible can depend on leases, maintenance contracts, and who actually controlled the area where you fell.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in New York?

For a fall on private property, the deadline is generally three years from the date of the accident under CPLR 214. If the fall happened on property owned by a city, town, county, or other public entity, a notice of claim is generally required within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e, and the lawsuit must usually be started within one year and 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-i. Missing these deadlines can end a claim.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for my fall?

Yes. New York follows pure comparative fault. If you were partly responsible, for example because you were looking at your phone, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but it is not eliminated. A jury might find you 20 percent at fault and reduce the award by that amount. Property owners often argue that a hazard was open and obvious, but that usually affects the percentage of fault rather than barring the claim outright.

What evidence do I need after a slip, trip, or fall?

Photographs of the exact condition that caused the fall, taken as soon as possible and with something for scale, are often the most important evidence. Also helpful are the names of witnesses, an incident report if one was made, the shoes you were wearing, and your medical records. Prior complaints or repair records can show the owner knew about the hazard. Defects are often repaired soon after an accident, so early documentation matters.

What if I fell because of a defect that seems small?

New York courts do not apply a fixed minimum height for a defect. A small height difference, crack, or hole can still support a claim depending on its width, depth, irregularity, location, lighting, and the surrounding circumstances. However, defects that are truly trivial and not a trap or nuisance may not support liability. Clear photographs with a ruler or measuring tape are especially important when the defect is small.

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