New York City Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slip and Fall Litigation Representation Throughout New York State

An accident due to a fall may not initially seem like a big deal, but the reality is that the wrong hit to a head or limb can result in life-altering injuries. If your fall was because of a dangerous condition a property owner knew about or should have known about, you may be entitled to compensation for your accident-related losses.

At Bruce J. Gitlin, P.C., we advocate for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities when they suffer injuries in these scenarios. We have over 40 years of experience, frequently litigate these cases in state and federal courts, and understand how to effectively represent clients with hearing loss. You will work closely with our New York City deaf and hard-of-hearing slip and fall lawyers, and we will fight for you every step of the way. 

If you suffered injuries in an accident due to a fall that was not your fault, call (646) 513-4556 or contact us online to discuss your case with our team. We offer our services in American Sign Language (ASL), English, and Spanish.

How Does Premises Liability Work in New York?

When you enter a commercial or residential property, such as a store or a friend’s home, you fairly assume it will be free of hazards or dangerous conditions. In New York, the property owner owes you a legal duty of care as a patron or invited guest, meaning they must make reasonable efforts to correct hazards as they appear or at least sufficiently warn you of their existence. A property owner becomes liable for injuries when they fail to resolve or address hazards they knew about or should have known about.

For example, if a spill occurs in the aisle of a grocery store, the owner may not be immediately liable for any injuries that occur due to the slick floor – especially if they were not present when the spill happened. However, if time passes and nothing is done about the spill, it may be argued that the store had adequate time to address the problem but failed to do so. At this point, the owner may be liable for any injuries that occur.

Some property owners will verbally warn patrons or invited guests about known hazards they are working to address. As a person with hearing loss, the store owner is obligated to effectively communicate with you and ensure you are adequately informed of any dangerous conditions. When you enter a commercial space that regularly does business with the public, you can ask for reasonable accommodations to make sure that you can effectively communicate with the store’s staff, especially if there are any hazards you need to know about.

If you are not sure whether you have a premises liability claim, reach out to Bruce J. Gitlin, P.C. Our New York City deaf and hard-of-hearing attorneys can assess what happened and advise whether you have a strong case.

Recovering Damages in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in New York

In New York, you generally have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action. In the event that a slip and fall leads to a fatal traumatic injury, qualifying relatives will generally have two years from the date of the victim’s passing to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit. You will generally be unable to recover any damages if you do not file in time, so get legal advice as soon as possible.

A trial may not be necessary, as many premises liability lawsuits are settled out of court. We will aggressively pursue a fair settlement that covers all injuries and losses. If this is not possible, we are ready to litigate and will fight to protect your interests in and out of the courtroom.

Our New York City deaf and hard-of-hearing lawyers will do everything possible to secure compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Emotional distress
• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

Need help exploring your legal options after a slip and fall? Call (646) 513-4556or contact us online today.