Slip and Fall Lawyer in Manhattan, NY
Fighting for Injured New Yorkers for Over 39 Years
A Manhattan slip and fall lawyer helps you recover compensation when a property owner's negligence, like a wet lobby floor, a broken stair, or an unsalted sidewalk, caused your fall. New York law lets you claim medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, even if you were partly at fault.
You may be facing surgery, weeks off work, and an insurance adjuster who already doubts your story. Meanwhile, the property owner's team started building its defense the day you fell.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has tried injury cases in New York City for 39 years, including a $2.3 million jury verdict in New York County for a man who slipped on a wet, soapy walkway. Attorney Michael Gunzburg is also a Certified Public Accountant, so your lost earnings are calculated by someone trained to defend those numbers. Call (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation.
Last Updated: September 2026
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Who Needs a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Manhattan?
Anyone hurt in a fall on property someone else owns or controls in Manhattan may need a slip and fall lawyer. That includes tenants injured on apartment stairs, shoppers who slip on a wet store floor, and office workers who trip on a torn lobby mat. It also covers pedestrians who catch a foot on a cracked sidewalk or a raised cellar door, and commuters who fall on a subway staircase.
These claims go by several names: slip and fall, trip and fall, or premises liability. The legal question behind each one stays the same. Did the owner know, or should they have known, about the hazard and fail to fix it?
Manhattan Slip and Fall Claims the Firm Handles
Anyone hurt in a fall on property someone else owns or controls in Manhattan may need a slip and fall lawyer. That includes tenants injured on apartment stairs, shoppers who slip on a wet store floor, and office workers who trip on a torn lobby mat. It also covers pedestrians who catch a foot on a cracked sidewalk or a raised cellar door, and commuters who fall on a subway staircase.
These claims go by several names: slip and fall, trip and fall, or premises liability. The legal question behind each one stays the same. Did the owner know, or should they have known, about the hazard and fail to fix it?
Manhattan Slip and Fall Claims the Firm Handles
Manhattan slip and fall claims cover falls on sidewalks, in stores, inside residential and commercial buildings, at work, and in the transit system. Each setting has its own rules about who is responsible. The firm's New York City slip and fall lawyer page covers claims in all five boroughs. The services below focus on how these cases play out in Manhattan.
Sidewalk and Public Property Falls
Manhattan puts sidewalk responsibility on the owner of the building next to it, not the City, for most commercial properties. NYC Administrative Code Section 7-210 makes those owners liable for cracked, raised, or broken sidewalk flags. Owners of one- to three-family homes they live in are the main exception. The City itself is usually liable for its own defects only after it received prior written notice.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. secured a $750,000 trial settlement for a woman who tripped in a hole in a public sidewalk and needed back surgery.
Ice and Snow Falls
Snow and ice falls turn on timing. New York courts generally give owners a reasonable time after a storm ends to clear walkways, so the exact hour snow stopped often decides the case. Manhattan's high-rise canyons add another layer: shaded blocks and building runoff can refreeze long after the street looks clear. Weather records, building maintenance logs, and doorman logs all help pin down what the owner knew.
Hurt by ice falling from a building rather than slipping on it? That is a separate claim, covered in the firm's article on who is liable for falling ice on New York sidewalks.
Retail Store Falls
Store owners must keep aisles, entryways, and restrooms reasonably safe for customers. Falls in Manhattan retail spaces often involve spilled liquids, fallen merchandise, and soaked entry mats on rainy days in busy corridors like Herald Square, SoHo, and Fifth Avenue. Surveillance footage is often the strongest evidence, and many stores record over it within days or weeks.
The firm's article on suing a New York City store for a slip and fall explains what shoppers can expect.
Apartment and Building Falls
Landlords, co-op boards, and building managers are responsible for stairs, lobbies, hallways, and entrances. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. obtained a $550,000 settlement for an Upper West Side tenant who fell on wet, soapy stairs in her building and needed spinal fusion surgery. The firm also secured a $1.7 million settlement for a man who tripped on a shadowed front step at a landmarked West Village building, after the court ruled the step violated the New York City Building Code. Jeffrey describes that case in his own words.
The firm's article on a garbage juice slip and fall case shows how hidden hazards in apartment buildings lead to claims. See also premises liability claims in New York City.
Workplace Falls
Workers' compensation usually bars you from suing your own employer after a fall on the job. You may still have a claim against someone else, such as the building owner, a property manager, or a cleaning contractor who left a floor wet. That third-party claim can recover pain and suffering, which workers' comp does not pay.
Construction workers who fall from heights may have added protection under New York Labor Law Section 240. The firm's construction accident and scaffolding accident pages cover those claims.
Subway Station and Transit Falls
Falls on subway stairs, platforms, and station entrances bring a public transit agency into the case. Manhattan stations like Grand Central and the World Trade Center transit hub handle heavy daily foot traffic, and worn stair treads, broken handrails, and wet platforms cause serious injuries. Claims against a public authority require a notice of claim within 90 days of the fall, far sooner than the standard three-year deadline.
The firm's mass transit accident page explains how these claims work.
Common Causes of Child and Elderly Pedestrian Accidents in Manhattan
Michael Gunzburg is both a trial attorney and a Certified Public Accountant. That matters because the value of a slip and fall case rests on numbers: past and future medical costs, lost wages, and the earning power you lose if you can't return to the same work. Insurers hire experts to shrink those figures. Michael Gunzburg can take those reports apart line by line.
He has handled injury cases in New York City courts for 39 years, and his office sits at 950 Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. You pay no fee unless the firm recovers money for you. The attention starts early. After Jeffrey hired the firm for his West Village fall, Michael Gunzburg went to the accident site the next morning to document the step. Other clients share their experiences on the firm's client reviews page.
Why Hiring a Slip and Fall Lawyer Matters
The biggest risk of handling a slip and fall claim alone is losing the evidence that proves the owner knew about the hazard. New York law requires you to show the owner created the condition, knew about it, or should have found it through reasonable inspection. Property owners and their insurers know this, and "we had no idea" is the most common defense in these cases.
Proving otherwise takes maintenance logs, cleaning schedules, prior complaints, repair records, and video. Most of that sits in the owner's files. Without a lawyer, those records usually stay there.
In one case, a Manhattan building owner insisted for years that it never knew ice fell from its facade. Just before jury selection, Michael Gunzburg, P.C. uncovered a document showing the owner had promised in writing, years before the accident, to fix the condition and post a worker on the street. The case settled for $10.1 million. The right evidence can prove a fall even when no one witnessed it.
New York's Comparative Negligence Law: What If You Were Partly at Fault?
New York follows pure comparative negligence, so you can recover money even if you were partly responsible for your fall. Under CPLR 1411, your award is reduced by your share of fault, not erased.
Suppose a jury values your case at $500,000 and finds you 30% at fault for looking at your phone. You still recover $350,000. Even at 80% fault, you would still recover 20% of your damages.
Insurance adjusters often suggest that any fault on your part ends your claim. It does not. Owners also argue a hazard was "open and obvious." In New York, that argument can reduce what you recover, but it does not excuse an owner's duty to keep the property reasonably safe. The firm answers every fault argument the other side raises with evidence.
Call (212) 725-8500 to talk through how fault applies to your fall.
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall in Manhattan?
The person or company that owns, runs, or maintains the property where you fell is usually responsible. In Manhattan, that is often more than one party. A single fall in a commercial building can involve the building owner, a tenant business, a management company, and an outside cleaning contractor. Each may point at the others.
In the firm's $2.3 million jury verdict, the defense argued it did no cleaning at all because the work was subcontracted. The jury held it liable anyway. Identifying every responsible party matters because each one may carry its own insurance policy.
| Where You Fell | Who May Be Responsible | Rule to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk next to a commercial building | Adjacent property owner | NYC Admin. Code 7-210 |
| City-owned property | City of New York | Prior written notice; 90-day notice of claim |
| Store or restaurant | Store operator, landlord | The lease often decides who maintains what |
| Apartment building | Landlord, co-op or condo board, managing agent | Owners must maintain common areas |
| Office or workplace | Building owner, contractors (not your employer) | Workers' comp bars most suits against employers |
| Subway station | New York City Transit Authority | 90-day notice of claim |
For a broader look at owner responsibility, see premises liability claims in New York City.
What You May Be Entitled to Recover After a Slip and Fall
A successful slip and fall claim pays for the financial losses and the personal harm your fall caused. New York law splits these into two groups.
|
Economic Damages |
Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
|
Medical bills, past and future |
Pain and suffering |
|
Surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation |
Loss of enjoyment of life |
|
Lost wages |
Permanent physical limits |
|
Lost earning capacity if you can't return to the same job |
Emotional distress |
New York does not cap pain and suffering in slip and fall cases. A spouse may also bring a claim for lost companionship and household help. When a fall is fatal, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim.
No-fault insurance does not apply to slip and fall claims, so every dollar comes from the at-fault party's insurer.
Important Deadlines and Rules
The deadline that sinks the most Manhattan slip and fall claims is the 90-day notice of claim for falls on public property. Miss it, and you may lose the right to sue a public entity at all.
3 Years: Statute of Limitations for Private Property
You generally have three years from the date of your fall to file a lawsuit against a private property owner under CPLR 214. For a child, the clock usually does not start until the child turns 18. The firm's guide to slip and fall filing deadlines in New York City covers the details.
90 Days: Notice of Claim Against the City or a Public Authority
A fall caused by the City of New York requires a written notice of claim within 90 days. City claims go to the NYC Comptroller's Office. Claims against the New York City Transit Authority must be served on the Transit Authority directly, not the Comptroller.
1 Year and 90 Days: Deadline to Sue a Public Entity
You must file a lawsuit against the City or a public authority within one year and 90 days of the fall, even if your notice of claim is still under review.
30 Days: Reporting a Workplace Fall
A workplace fall must be reported to your employer within 30 days to protect your workers' compensation benefits. A third-party claim against a building owner or contractor still follows the three-year deadline.
Manhattan slip and fall lawsuits are usually filed in New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street.
What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall in Manhattan
The steps you take in the first few days after a fall protect both your health and your claim.
- Get medical care right away. Some injuries, including head injuries and hairline fractures, don't show symptoms at first. A gap in treatment gives the insurer room to argue you weren't badly hurt.
- Report the fall. Tell the store manager, building superintendent, or doorman before you leave. Ask for a copy of any incident report.
- Photograph the hazard. Take pictures of the spill, broken step, or ice from several angles before anyone cleans or repairs it. Include the lighting and any missing warning signs.
- Collect names. Write down the names and phone numbers of witnesses and of the employee who took your report.
- Keep your shoes and clothing. Store them in a bag, unwashed. They show what you were wearing and can rebut claims about your footwear.
- Don't give a recorded statement. The property owner's insurer may call within days. You have no obligation to speak with them.
- Call a lawyer before the video disappears. Stores and buildings often record over footage within weeks, and a public-property fall starts the 90-day notice clock.
What Happens After You Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C.
Calling Michael Gunzburg, P.C. starts a free, no-obligation review of your fall, and the investigation begins as soon as you hire the firm.
Step 1: You Reach the Firm
A receptionist answers calls Monday through Friday during business hours. After hours and on weekends, a digital assistant takes your details so the firm can follow up. Call (212) 725-8500 or use the contact form.
Step 2: You Get a Free Case Review
The firm reviews where and how you fell, your injuries, and who owns the property. You'll learn whether you have a claim and which deadlines apply, including any 90-day notice requirement.
Step 3: The Firm Investigates
The firm visits the scene, photographs the hazard, and tracks down owners, tenants, and contractors through property records. It then demands the maintenance logs, complaints, and video that prove the owner knew about the hazard.
Step 4: Your Damages Are Calculated and the Firm Negotiates
Michael Gunzburg's CPA training shapes the lost-earnings figures in your demand. Many cases resolve through negotiation or mediation, and you hear about every offer. Jeffrey, a West Village client, noted that the attorney returned his calls even while in trial on other cases.
Step 5: The Firm Goes to Trial if Needed
When an insurer won't pay fair value, the firm takes the case to a jury, as it did in the $2.3 million New York County verdict.
Key Takeaways
- Manhattan sidewalk falls usually point to the building owner, not the City. NYC Administrative Code Section 7-210 makes most commercial property owners liable for the sidewalk next to their building.
- Falls on City property or in the subway carry a 90-day notice of claim deadline. City claims go to the NYC Comptroller, and Transit Authority claims must be served on the Transit Authority directly.
- A New York slip and fall claim turns on notice. You must show the owner created the hazard, knew about it, or should have found it, and the proof usually sits in maintenance logs and video that can disappear within weeks.
- New York does not cap pain and suffering in slip and fall cases, and no-fault insurance does not apply. Every dollar of the recovery comes from the at-fault party's insurer.
Common Questions About Slip and Fall Cases in Manhattan
How much is a slip and fall case worth in Manhattan?
A Manhattan slip and fall case is worth the full cost of your injuries, reduced by any share of fault assigned to you. The biggest factors are the severity of the injury, whether you needed surgery, your lost income, and how clearly the evidence shows the owner knew about the hazard. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has recovered $550,000 for an Upper West Side tenant who needed spinal fusion surgery and $1.7 million for a West Village trip and fall that required a shoulder replacement. Averages mean little, because two falls on the same staircase can produce very different injuries and very different results.
Do most slip and fall cases settle or go to trial?
Most slip and fall cases settle before trial, usually through negotiation or mediation. Settlement often comes after the lawsuit is filed and both sides have exchanged evidence, because that is when the owner's insurer sees what a jury would see. Some insurers will not pay fair value until a trial date is set. The West Village case settled before a court-appointed mediator only after the firm won a ruling that the step violated the Building Code. When settlement falls short, the firm is prepared to try the case, as it did in the $2.3 million New York County jury verdict.
How much does a slip and fall lawyer cost?
You pay nothing up front to hire Michael Gunzburg, P.C. for a slip and fall case. The firm works on a contingency fee, which means its fee comes out of the money it recovers for you. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The first consultation is free and carries no obligation. This setup lets you hire an experienced trial lawyer at the moment you are out of work and facing medical bills, without adding another expense. The firm will explain its fee terms in writing before you sign anything.
How long does a slip and fall case take in New York?
A Manhattan slip and fall case typically takes one to three years from the fall to a final resolution. Cases with clear liability and modest injuries can settle within months. Cases involving surgery, permanent injuries, or a public entity take longer, because the full medical picture has to develop before anyone can value the claim. Jeffrey's West Village case lasted nearly three years and went through two rounds of mediation before it settled. Settling too early is the bigger risk. Once you accept an offer, you cannot reopen the claim if your injury turns out to be worse than expected.
Can I win a slip and fall case if no one saw me fall?
You can still win a slip and fall case with no witnesses. Many falls happen in an empty stairwell or a quiet store aisle, and the case then rests on physical and documentary evidence. Surveillance video, photos of the hazard, incident reports, maintenance logs, prior complaints, and your medical records can all prove what happened and why. Your own testimony counts as evidence too. The firm's article on what happens when no one witnessed your slip and fall walks through how these cases get proven.
Can I sue if I slipped on ice or snow in Manhattan?
You can sue for a fall on ice or snow in Manhattan, but timing decides most of these cases. New York's storm-in-progress rule generally gives owners until a reasonable time after a storm ends to clear walkways. Owners can still be liable during a storm if their own actions made the ice worse, such as a leaking gutter or a poorly placed downspout. Weather data, the building's snow removal logs, and photos taken at the scene help establish when the snow stopped and how long the ice sat untreated. Commercial owners in Manhattan also carry sidewalk duties under the NYC Administrative Code.
Can I sue my landlord for a fall in my apartment building?
You can sue your landlord for a fall in your apartment building if the landlord failed to fix a hazard it knew about or should have found. Landlords must maintain common areas, including stairs, hallways, lobbies, and entrances, and keep lighting and handrails in working order. Your lease does not waive that duty. Complaints you made to the super or management company, especially in writing, are strong evidence of notice. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. recovered $550,000 for an Upper West Side tenant who fell on wet, soapy stairs in her own building.
Who pays my medical bills while my slip and fall case is pending?
Your own health insurance usually pays your medical bills while your slip and fall case is pending. No-fault insurance does not cover these falls, and the property owner's insurer will not pay bills as they come in. When the case resolves, your health insurer, Medicare, or Medicaid may claim repayment from your recovery through a lien. The firm identifies these liens early and works to reduce them, because every dollar saved on a lien stays with you. If you don't have insurance, some doctors will treat you and wait for payment until the case ends.
Manhattan Neighborhoods Served
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents slip and fall victims throughout Manhattan from its office at 950 Third Avenue in Midtown East. That includes tenants on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side, shoppers in SoHo and Herald Square, and workers in the Financial District and Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. It also covers residents of Harlem, the West Village, and Downtown Manhattan. The firm also handles cases across all five boroughs and in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. See all Manhattan personal injury services.
Speak With a Manhattan Slip and Fall Lawyer
Surveillance video and repair records can disappear within weeks of a fall, and the 90-day clock on public-property claims is already running. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C. at (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation, or reach the firm through its contact page. There is no fee unless the firm recovers money for you, so the only thing a call costs you is a few minutes.