New York City Slip and fall accident

Slip and fall accidents refer to situations where someone is injured by slipping, tripping, or falling because of dangerous conditions on the premises.  Falls can occur inside or outside.  Indoor accidents can be caused by poor conditions such as bad flooring, wet floors, or poorly lighted steps.  Outdoor slip and fall accidents are generally caused by weather-related conditions or hidden hazards.  For instance, a patch of ice outside of a store that causes injury can be considered a slip and fall accident.  

Negligence laws cover all slip and fall accidents and deal with the concept of premises liability. In premises liability, every property owner has a "duty of care" and must ensure their property is safe. The building must have no structural defects that could cause an accident, inside or out. Structural defects can include: loose floor mats, rugs, or tiles; water on the floor; badly lit stairs or steps; cracks or holes in sidewalks or parking lots.  Some states require the property owner to reduce problem areas caused by weather as well.  Weather-related hazards can include standing water and icy spots.  The law requires a plaintiff or claimant to exercise reasonable care, meaning if your actions contributed to the fall, you may share in the negligence.

If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, you should try to determine what made you fall and if it could have been anticipated and prevented. If anyone saw you fall, be sure you get the names and addresses of all witnesses. Try to note the conditions in the area - was the lighting poor, was there some substance that made you slip. If you did slip because of something on the floor, try to obtain a sample. Also, try to get pictures of the area. Report any such accident to the manager or owner and insist that they make a record of it.

It is your responsibility to prove that a hazard existed and that it was the cause of your accident.