Garden City Slip and Fall Lawyer

Experienced Slip & Fall Attorneys Serving Garden City, NY

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident in Garden City, NY, you may be entitled to compensation. At Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP, our personal injury attorneys have been handling slip and fall cases since 1952. For over 70 years, we've helped thousands of slip & fall victims recover maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.

Why Choose Us for Your Slip & Fall Injury?

• Proven Track Record: We've successfully won compensation for countless slip and fall victims in Garden City and surrounding areas.
• Personalized Legal Guidance: Every case is unique. We tailor our legal strategies to fit your specific situation.
• No Fees Unless We Win: You don’t pay a dime unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall injuries can happen anywhere — from grocery stores to sidewalks. Common causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven pavement or flooring
• Poor lighting
• Obstructed walkways
• Loose rugs or mats
• Loose or missing handrails on stairways

If a property owner’s negligence contributed to your fall, you have the right to pursue compensation.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A successful slip and fall injury claim can cover:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain & suffering
• Rehabilitation costs

Frequently Asked Questions About Slip & Fall Injuries in Nassau County

What should I do right after a slip and fall?

The steps you take in the first few days can make a big difference in your case:

1. Get medical care: See a doctor right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as concussions and back injuries, don’t show symptoms immediately.
2. Report the fall: Tell the store manager, landlord, or property owner what happened and ask for a copy of any incident report.
3. Photograph the scene: Take pictures of what caused your fall, such as a spill, ice, a broken step, or poor lighting, before it is cleaned up or repaired.
4. Get witness information: Write down the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw you fall.
5. Keep your shoes and clothing: Don’t wash or throw away what you were wearing.
6. Call a lawyer quickly: Many businesses record over their security video within days or weeks. A lawyer can demand that the footage be preserved.

Who is responsible for a slip and fall accident?

Depending on where you fell, the responsible party may be a store or business owner, a landlord or property management company, a homeowner, a contractor or maintenance company hired to clear snow or make repairs, or a city, town, village, or county. Often more than one party shares responsibility.

Why are slip and fall cases challenging to win?

Slip and fall accidents on another person's property can be tough to win due to various factors. These cases are often complicated, as there is no simple formula to determine fault or liability. Each situation is different, and proving responsibility requires a strong burden of proof, making it harder to secure a favorable outcome.

Can you lose a slip and fall injury case?

Yes, you can lose a slip and fall injury case, and it often depends on proving negligence and the property owner's duty of care, as well as the claimant's own conduct and the severity of the injuries.

1. Proving Negligence
   • Property Owner's Duty of Care: You need to demonstrate that the property owner had a duty to maintain their premises safely and that they breached that duty, leading to your fall.
   • Notice of the Hazard: You must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition (e.g., spilled liquid, ice, etc.) and failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn others.
   • Direct Causation: You need to establish a clear link between the property owner's negligence and your injuries.
2. Your Own Conduct
   • Comparative Negligence: If your own actions contributed to the fall, the property owner might argue that you were partly to blame, potentially reducing your compensation by your share of the fault.
   • Assumption of Risk: If you were aware of a hazard and chose to proceed anyway, the property owner may argue that you assumed the risk. In New York, this usually reduces your compensation rather than ending your case.
   • Distraction: If you were distracted and didn't see the hazard, the property owner might argue that you were negligent in not paying attention.
3. Lack of Evidence
   • Insufficient Evidence of Negligence: If you can't prove that the property owner was negligent, or that their negligence caused your injuries, your case will likely fail.
   • Missing Medical Documentation: You need to provide medical records and testimony to support your injuries and their connection to the fall.
   • Lack of Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts can be crucial in establishing what happened and the property owner's knowledge of the hazard.

What if I was partly at fault for my fall?

You can still recover compensation. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. For example, if you were found 25% at fault for not watching where you were walking, your recovery would be reduced by 25%.

Can I sue if I fell on a public sidewalk in Garden City or Nassau County?

Possibly, but these cases have special rules. Many New York municipalities, including villages, towns, and counties on Long Island, have prior written notice laws. Under these laws, the municipality generally cannot be held responsible for a sidewalk or roadway defect unless it received written notice of that specific defect before your fall, or unless it created the dangerous condition. Outside New York City, the owner of the property next to a public sidewalk is generally not responsible for sidewalk defects unless they caused the defect, used the sidewalk for a special purpose, or a local law makes them responsible. Because a notice of claim is due within 90 days, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Can I sue if I slipped on snow or ice?

Yes, in many cases. Property owners must take reasonable steps to clear snow and ice and address hazards like refrozen melt or icy entrances. However, under New York’s “storm in progress” rule, an owner is generally not responsible for snow or ice that accumulates while a storm is still going on, and has a reasonable amount of time after the storm ends to clear it. Weather records, photos, and maintenance logs are often key evidence in these cases.

What if I slipped and fell at work?

If you were injured on the job, workers’ compensation generally covers your medical care and part of your lost wages, and you usually cannot sue your own employer. But if someone other than your employer caused the fall, such as a property owner, a landlord, or a cleaning or snow removal contractor, you may also be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against them.

What is the statute of limitations for slip and fall injury cases in New York?

In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall claim is three years from the date of the accident. However, if the incident occurred on government property, different rules apply. In such cases, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days and initiate a lawsuit within one year and 90 days.

How long does it take to settle a slip and fall case in New York?

A slip and fall claim could potentially be resolved within a few months. However, if the case requires court litigation, it may take two to three years to reach a conclusion.

How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer?

Nothing upfront. Most New York personal injury cases, including slip and fall cases, are handled on a contingency fee basis, typically one-third of the recovery, as permitted under New York court rules. You pay a fee only if we recover compensation for you.

Take the First Step Toward Getting Compensated For Your Slip & Fall Injury

Time is limited to file a slip and fall claim in New York. Don’t wait — call our office at (516) 344-1900 or contact our skilled Garden City slip & fall lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

Local Knowledge Matters

Our team knows Garden City and Nassau County inside and out. Garden City is a vibrant Long Island community, home to the iconic Roosevelt Field Mall, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, and the historic Garden City Hotel. We also serve clients in nearby towns and cities, including:

• Mineola
• Hempstead
• Westbury
• Carle Place
• New Hyde Park
• Floral Park
• East Meadow
• Uniondale
• Franklin Square

This local understanding helps us investigate accident sites thoroughly and build stronger cases for our clients.

Nassau County / Garden City Office Location

Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP’s law office is located in the heart of Garden City, New York. Franklin Avenue is a major north-south thoroughfare in the area, lined with various businesses and services. Nearby is the Old Nassau County Courthouse at 1550 Franklin Avenue. Constructed in the early 1900s, this Classical Revival-style building now serves as the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building. Additionally, the United States Post Office at 600 Franklin Avenue is a historic post office building designed in the Classical Revival style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.