Sidewalk Accident Attorney in NYC
Walking on a sidewalk should not be cause for concern in New York City, as sidewalks are an essential part of the city’s infrastructure. Most people walk to their destinations in New York City and generally assume that the sidewalk is safe. Unfortunately, poorly maintained sidewalks or sidewalks that have unsafe or open cellar doors can cause a pedestrian to become seriously injured. If you were hurt in a NYC sidewalk accident, you must consider your legal options. The legal team at Katter Law can effectively represent your interests and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to if you have been hurt in a NYC sidewalk accident. Contact Katter Law today to discuss your case.
Sidewalk Slip and Falls
In many neighborhoods, even those with charming homes, sidewalks are very poorly maintained. The sidewalks may be uneven, cracked, pitted, or even have sizeable holes that may trip up any pedestrian, dog walker, parent with a stroller, or elderly person with a cane. Wherever sidewalks have existed for many years, some sections of cement have usually been dangerously lifted by the roots of ever-taller trees. Bad weather or obstacles make these situations even more hazardous. It doesn’t take a victim with balance issues to slip and fall on rainy, snowy, icy sidewalks, or those covered with wet autumn leaves. Sidewalks strewn with toys, gardening tools, or dog excrement are also dangerous.
Sidewalk Cellar Door Falls
Sidewalk cellar doors can be hazardous to any pedestrian. You probably have seen lots of these on New York City sidewalks and may have even worried that they could collapse if you stepped on them. A more realistic risk is that you could trip over an open cellar door and fall. Most sidewalk cellar doors cover a stairway into the basement of a ground-floor business. The business moves supplies to and from the basement via the cellar door. When the doors are closed, they are flush with the sidewalk. When they are open, they are perpendicular to the sidewalk and are only a few feet high. If the sidewalk is crowded or if it is dark outside, pedestrians may not see the open cellar door. They could trip and fall, or worse—they might even fall down the basement stairs.
Sidewalk and Cellar Door Owner Liability
Building owners must ensure that pedestrians are warned when cellar doors are open and thus, prevent falls. Under the law, the owner is responsible if a pedestrian is injured. The best way to protect pedestrians is for the owner to have an employee stand by the open doors, warn people of the hazard, and usher them away. Although that precaution may seem obvious, many owners often fail to take any safety measures when they open their cellar doors.
In New York City, property owners are obligated to keep the sidewalk in front of their property safe. If the property owner creates a sidewalk hazard, such as an open cellar door, and someone is injured as a result, the owner is legally responsible to pay the injured person compensation. Of course, pedestrians should pay attention to where they are walking and avoid dangers. Unfortunately, open cellar doors are not always obvious or avoidable.
Contact a NYC Sidewalk Slip & Fall Attorney
If you were injured in a sidewalk or cellar door accident in New York City, it is important to consider your legal options. At Katter Law, we have represented many sidewalk accident victims who are suffering from physical, emotional, and financial burdens due to their accident. We can put nearly 30 years of experience to work to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Contact Katter Law today to discuss your case.