Slip and Fall Lawyer Staten Island
Frekhtman & Associates has recovered over $900 million for slip and fall victims across New York, including a $69.25 million verdict and a $1.2 million ice settlement. Our Staten Island slip and fall lawyers prepare every case for trial from day one, document the full impact of your injuries, and handle every insurance conversation. No fees unless we win. Free case review available 24/7.
If you fell on a Staten Island sidewalk, in a store, on an apartment stairway, or anywhere else on someone else’s property, two clocks are running. The medical one: ER bills, follow-up care, time off work, and the question of how serious the injury actually is. The legal one you may not have noticed yet: within hours of your fall, the property owner’s insurance adjuster is photographing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and looking for reasons to deny your claim. The evidence that proves your case has a short shelf life.
At Frekhtman & Associates, our Staten Island slip and fall lawyers send preservation letters before surveillance footage is overwritten, document the full medical and financial impact of your injuries, and handle every insurance conversation so you can focus on recovery. Our Staten Island personal injury practice is led by Arkady Frekhtman, who has tried premises liability cases in New York courts since 2000.
Premises liability law holds Staten Island property owners, including homeowners, landlords, retailers, and the City of New York, responsible when a hazardous condition they knew or should have known about causes injury. New York’s pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR Article 14-A lets you recover even if you were partly at fault.
Our Track Record:
- $900M+ recovered for injured clients across documented cases
- 25+ years fighting for New York injury victims
- $69.25M largest single recovery in a motor vehicle accident case
- 300+ five-star Google reviews from real clients
- Fluent in English and Russian
- 9.9 Avvo rating and National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Featured in NY Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
You pay nothing unless we win. Call (866) 288-9529 now. 24/7 Availability
Hurt in a Staten Island Slip and Fall Accident? Get Legal Help Today
You’re dealing with real injuries while medical expenses keep growing, and paychecks stop coming. The property owner’s insurance company is working to pay you as little as possible by questioning liability and downplaying your injuries.
Our Staten Island slip and fall attorneys investigate immediately, secure evidence before it vanishes, handle all insurance communications, and build your case for full compensation. We prepare for trial from the start because insurers settle fairly when they know we’re ready for court.
Our Proven Results in Staten Island Slip and Fall Cases
Since 2000, we’ve recovered over $900 million for injured clients across New York, including Staten Island. Our track record includes some of the highest premises liability settlements in New York State.
Below are verdicts and settlements we have secured:
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Every case is unique and depends on its specific facts, injuries, and circumstances. These results represent our commitment to pursuing maximum compensation for slip and fall victims.
How We Won $525,000 for a Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Victim
Arkady discusses a two-week jury trial against a property owner who failed to clear an icy sidewalk under NYC's snow removal ordinance. The case involved many of the same issues that appear in Staten Island sidewalk falls every winter - actual vs. constructive notice, the four-hour clearance rule, and how juries evaluate property-owner conduct after a winter storm.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents We Handle
Slip and fall accidents happen throughout Staten Island, from icy sidewalks to wet floors at grocery stores, broken stairs in apartment buildings, and uneven pavement on busy streets. While our New York City slip and fall lawyers serve injury victims across the five boroughs, Staten Island cases share the same legal foundation: property owners have a legal duty under New York premises liability law to maintain safe conditions and warn visitors of hazards. When they fail, they’re liable for your injuries.
Wet Floor and Spill Accidents
Wet floors from spilled liquids, cleaning solutions, melted ice, or food residue cause people to lose footing in Staten Island grocery stores, retail shops, restaurant entrances, and apartment lobbies. Victims suffer head trauma from striking the floor, back injuries from the impact, and wrist or hip fractures when trying to break the fall. Property owners must clean spills immediately, post warning signs, install non-slip mats in high-traffic areas, and conduct regular inspections; failure to meet these duties constitutes building accident claims in New York under New York premises liability law.
Snow and Ice Accidents
Winter weather creates snow and ice hazards on Staten Island sidewalks, parking lots, building entrances, and stairs. Under NYC Administrative Code § 16-123, a property owner must clear the abutting sidewalk within four hours after snow stops falling, with the 9 PM to 7 AM window excluded from the clock – so snow that stops overnight must be cleared by 11 AM. Section 16-123 also contains a Staten Island and Queens carve-out: properties with 500 or more linear feet of sidewalk frontage (large retail, malls, industrial sites) are compliant if they begin clearing within four hours and continue with reasonable diligence. Violations carry tiered civil fines from $10 up to $350 for repeat offenders, and a history of citations can support an actual-notice argument against the owner.
Winter falls happen most often at building entrances where melted snow refreezes overnight, on inadequately cleared sidewalks, and on exterior stairs.
Uneven Sidewalk and Pavement Accidents
Cracked sidewalks, broken pavement, raised concrete slabs, potholes, and uneven surfaces are common hazards throughout Staten Island’s neighborhoods, where pedestrians catch their feet on raised edges or step into unexpected depressions and fall forward. NYC Administrative Code § 7-210 requires property owners to maintain sidewalks adjacent to their property in a reasonably safe condition.
High-traffic areas like Victory Boulevard, Forest Avenue, Richmond Avenue, and Bay Street see frequent sidewalk accidents that result in ankle fractures when the foot twists on uneven pavement, wrist fractures when victims extend arms to break the fall, knee injuries from impact, and facial injuries when victims fall forward onto concrete.
Staircase and Stairwell Accidents
Staircase falls in Staten Island apartment buildings, commercial properties, and subway stations often result in NYC staircase accident lawyer claims from broken steps, missing handrails, inadequate lighting, worn stair treads, uneven step heights that violate building code, and debris on stairs. Interior stairwells suffer from poor lighting and deferred maintenance, while exterior stairs accumulate ice, snow, and water that property owners fail to remove, leading to spinal cord injuries causing paralysis, traumatic brain injuries requiring surgery, multiple bone fractures, and internal injuries.
Debris and Clutter Trip Accidents
Debris and clutter left in walkways create trip hazards throughout Staten Island properties. These accidents occur when merchandise boxes block store aisles, construction materials sit in building hallways, electrical cords run across pathways, bunched carpeting creates raised edges, and scattered debris covers parking lots or sidewalks. Property owners and store managers have a duty under NYC premises liability claims to keep walkways clear and conduct regular inspections to identify and remove hazards. Victims suffer injuries ranging from ankle sprains and wrist fractures to severe head trauma and back injuries, depending on how they fall.
Falls at Staten Island Bus Stops and on MTA Buses
Falls happen at Staten Island bus stops on icy or uneven curbs, on bus steps that drivers fail to clear, and inside MTA buses when riders are thrown by sudden stops or trip on loose flooring. These cases are different from private-property falls in one critical way: claims against the City of New York or the MTA require filing a Notice of Claim with the appropriate agency within 90 days of the accident under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Miss the 90-day deadline, and the claim is barred permanently – even if the underlying case is strong. We handle the notice filing and the lawsuit that follows.
Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents cause injuries ranging from minor sprains to catastrophic permanent disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 3 million emergency department visits due to older adult falls each year, with about 1 million fall-related hospitalizations among older adults.
Many require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and months away from work. Insurance companies routinely dispute the severity to reduce payouts. Our attorneys use medical records, diagnostic imaging, and expert evaluations to prove the full impact of your injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions
Head trauma from striking pavement or floors causes cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and loss of motor function. Severe cases require emergency surgery and long-term neurological care. Mild concussions cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and balance problems that persist for months.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Trauma
Spinal cord damage results in partial or complete paralysis below the injury site, requiring emergency surgery, intensive rehabilitation, and lifelong care. Herniated discs and spinal fusions require surgical intervention and cause chronic pain.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Hip fractures in elderly victims often require hip replacement surgery and cause permanent mobility loss. Wrist, ankle, and knee fractures require surgical repair with plates, pins, and screws, followed by extended recovery and physical therapy.
Torn ACLs, MCLs, and meniscus tears occur when the knee twists during a fall. These injuries require surgical reconstruction followed by 6 to 12 months of rehabilitation. Many victims never regain full mobility and develop chronic arthritis in the affected knee.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Sprains
Muscle strains, ligament tears, and deep tissue damage don’t appear on X-rays but cause significant pain and limited mobility. MRI scans are needed for diagnosis. Chronic pain can persist for years. Insurance companies frequently dismiss these injuries as minor.
These injuries occur when landing on an outstretched arm or falling onto the shoulder. Symptoms include severe pain, weakness, and inability to lift the arm. Most require surgical repair followed by months of rehabilitation. Full recovery is not always possible.
Facial Injuries and Dental Damage
Face-first falls cause permanent scarring and disfigurement. Broken noses, fractured cheekbones, eye socket fractures, and jaw damage require reconstructive surgery. Knocked-out teeth and broken teeth need emergency dental care, extractions, implants, and crowns. Treatment continues for years.
These life-altering injuries create legal claims against every party whose negligence contributed to your crash. Our legal team identifies all responsible parties and pursues maximum compensation for Staten Island truck accident victims.
What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident
Insurance companies begin building their defense within hours of your fall. Your actions during that same window determine what evidence survives and how strong your case will be. Taking the right steps early protects your legal rights and improves your chances of recovering full compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Case?
New York law allows slip and fall victims to recover both economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for personal suffering when a property owner’s negligence causes injury.
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical bills, including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and medical equipment
- Ongoing treatment, additional surgeries, and long-term care needs
- Income lost during recovery, including sick days, unpaid leave, and reduced work hours
- Compensation for reduced future earning capacity if permanent injuries prevent you from returning to your prior work
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
- Home modifications for disability access, such as wheelchair ramps and grab bars
- Assistive devices needed for daily living
Non-Economic Damages
- Chronic pain that may last years or a lifetime
- Emotional trauma from the injury and accident
- Depression from lifestyle changes and loss of independence
- PTSD symptoms in severe cases
- Inability to enjoy activities you previously loved, such as sports, hobbies, and time with family
- Loss of independence and mobility forces permanent lifestyle changes
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring affect self-esteem and social interactions
New York does not cap non-economic damages in slip and fall cases. Juries determine fair compensation based on injury severity and impact on your life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages punish property owners for egregious conduct rather than compensate victims for losses. These damages are rare in slip and fall cases and are only awarded when the property owner’s actions were willful, wanton, or showed reckless disregard for safety. Examples include owners who knew about dangerous conditions, received multiple complaints, saw previous injuries, yet deliberately ignored the problem. Punitive damages come in addition to compensatory damages to deter similar conduct.
Time Limits and Deadlines for Filing Your Claim in NY
New York imposes strict deadlines for filing slip and fall lawsuits. Missing these deadlines eliminates your right to compensation permanently, regardless of how serious your injuries are or how strong your case is.
- Statute of Limitations for Private Property: You have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against private property owners under NY CPLR § 214. If you don’t file within three years, courts dismiss your claim, and you lose your right to compensation.
- Notice of Claim for Government Property: If you fell on city-owned property, such as city sidewalks, public parks, or city buildings, you must file a Notice of Claim with the New York City Comptroller’s Office within 90 days of your accident under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Missing this 90-day deadline bars your claim permanently.
- File Lawsuit Against NYC: After filing the Notice of Claim, you have one year and 90 days from the accident date to file the actual lawsuit against New York City under General Municipal Law § 50-i.
- Deadline for Wrongful Death: If the slip and fall results in death, family members or the estate must file the wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the date of death under NY EPTL § 5-4.1.
If you’d like to confirm your filing deadline at no cost, a free case review is available 24/7.
Who Is at Fault in a Staten Island Slip and Fall Case?
The property owner is at fault in your Staten Island slip and fall case if they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition but failed to fix it or warn you. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation under New York law.
How New York Defines "Notice" - Actual vs. Constructive
To hold a property owner liable, your attorney has to prove the owner had notice of the hazardous condition.
- Actual notice means the owner or their staff knew the hazard existed. A landlord who received three written complaints about a broken stair has actual notice. A store manager who watched an employee mop the floor and forgot to put down a wet-floor sign has actual notice.
- Constructive notice means the hazard existed long enough that the owner should have discovered it through reasonable inspection. A spill that sat on a supermarket aisle for two hours during peak shopping creates constructive notice even if no employee actually saw it because a reasonable inspection would have caught it.
Most slip and fall cases turn on constructive notice. We use inspection records, maintenance logs, surveillance footage, and witness testimony to establish how long the hazard existed and whether the owner’s inspection routine was reasonable.
Parties Who Can Be Held Liable
Property owners must maintain reasonably safe premises by conducting regular inspections, repairing dangerous conditions promptly, and warning of known hazards that they cannot immediately fix.
Different parties can be liable depending on where the fall happened. Residential and commercial property owners are directly liable for hazards on their property. Landlords and apartment building owners are liable for common areas and building maintenance failures. Retail stores, restaurants, and parking lot owners are liable for customer safety. Property management companies assume liability when hired to maintain buildings. The City of New York is liable for poorly maintained sidewalks and stairways, public parks, and city buildings, but requires a 90-day Notice of Claim filing. Third-party maintenance and cleaning contractors can share liability if their negligence caused the hazard, such as snow removal contractors who inadequately clear sidewalks.
New York's Comparative Negligence Rule
New York uses pure comparative negligence under CPLR Article 14-A. You recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated unless you were 100% at fault. A $100,000 award with 20% fault equals $80,000 recovery. A $100,000 award with 75% fault equals $25,000 recovery. This differs from other states, where being more than 50% at fault eliminates all recovery.
Common Insurance Company Defenses
Insurance companies claim you weren’t paying attention, wore improper footwear, or should have seen the hazard to reduce payouts. We counter by proving the property owner’s negligence was the primary cause and documenting their violations through inspection records and maintenance histories.
Why Choose Frekhtman & Associates for Your Slip and Fall Case
Choosing a slip and fall lawyer is one of the most important early decisions you make. The depth of preparation and the firm’s willingness to litigate shape how your case is valued from intake through resolution. Below is what we bring to every Staten Island slip and fall case we accept.
- Proven Results: Since 2000, our attorneys have recovered over $900 million for injured New Yorkers. Results include a $69.25 million motor vehicle verdict, $1.7 million premises liability recovery, $1.2 million slip and fall on ice settlement, and multiple six-figure settlements throughout New York.
- Trial Preparation From Intake: Every case is prepared as if it will be tried. That preparation affects how thoroughly evidence is gathered, how medical impact is documented, and what experts are retained.
- 25+ Years in New York Courts, Including Staten Island: Our attorneys have litigated throughout New York City. Our personal injury legal teams are familiar with how Staten Island judges manage premises liability cases and how local defense counsel approaches them.
- Negotiating Posture: We don’t pressure clients to take inadequate offers. We give you the analysis you need to make an informed decision about whether to settle or proceed.
- Multilingual Support: Our team conducts consultations in English and Russian. For Staten Island and outer-borough clients with Russian-speaking households, that matters at every step from intake through trial
- No Upfront Costs: We handle your case on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all litigation costs, including expert fees, court expenses, and investigation costs. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.
To discuss your accident, injuries, and options at no cost, request a free case review. Available 24/7.
Areas We Serve in Staten Island and Beyond
Frekhtman & Associates represents slip and fall victims across every Staten Island neighborhood and throughout New York. Our attorneys handle cases in every borough and understand the specific requirements of filing claims in each jurisdiction.
Staten Island Neighborhoods We Serve:
St. George, Stapleton, New Dorp, Oakwood, Tottenville, Great Kills, Port Richmond, West Brighton, Mariners Harbor, Arlington, Bay Terrace, Grasmere, Eltingville, Annadale, South Beach, Midland Beach, Dongan Hills, Todt Hill, New Springville, Bulls Head, Clifton, Rosebank, Concord, Emerson Hill, Grant City, Prince’s Bay, Pleasant Plains, Richmond Valley, Rossville, Woodrow, Charleston.
We Also Serve:
Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County), Queens (Queens County), The Bronx (Bronx County), Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Long Island.
If you fell anywhere in Staten Island or the surrounding area, a free case review is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Cases
How Much Is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, evidence strength, property owner negligence, insurance coverage limits, and your percentage of fault under New York law. Settlement ranges vary widely based on these factors.
What if I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?
You can still recover compensation under New York’s pure comparative negligence law (NY CPLR Article 14-A). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated unless you were 100% at fault. If you were 30% at fault with $100,000 in damages, you recover $70,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Staten Island Slip and Fall Lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, typically 33% to 40% of the settlement or verdict. We advance all case expenses. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.
Can I Sue the City of New York for a Sidewalk Fall?
Yes. You must file a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller’s Office within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e, then file the lawsuit within one year and 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-i. Missing either deadline bars your claim.
What Should I Do if the Property Owner Blames Me for My Fall?
Do not admit fault. Do not sign anything. Do not give recorded statements. Property owners and their insurers routinely blame victims to avoid paying claims. Politely decline to discuss the accident and contact us immediately for a free consultation.
How Long Does a Slip and Fall Case Take to Resolve?
Case duration varies based on complexity, injury severity, liability disputes, and whether the case goes to trial. Contact us for a case evaluation to understand your specific timeline.
Who Is Responsible for Clearing Snow and Ice on Staten Island Sidewalks?
The owner of the property next to the sidewalk is responsible for clearing snow and ice under NYC Administrative Code § 16-123 and § 7-210 – not the City. Owners must clear sidewalks within four hours after snow stops falling, excluding overnight hours between 9 PM and 7 AM. If a property owner failed to clear their sidewalk and you fell, they can be held liable for your injuries.
What Does "Notice" Mean in a Slip and Fall Case?
“Notice” means awareness of the hazardous condition. Property owners can be liable for a fall only if they had actual notice (they or their staff actually knew about the hazard) or constructive notice (the hazard existed long enough that they should have discovered it through reasonable inspection). Without notice, there’s usually no liability – which is why preserving evidence about how long the hazard existed is critical.
Contact Our Staten Island Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
Your case is getting weaker while you wait. Insurance companies are documenting their defense, witnesses are becoming harder to find, and critical evidence is disappearing. Every day that passes makes it harder to prove what happened and hold the property owner accountable.
Frekhtman & Associates takes over from the moment you call. Our legal team handles the adjusters, secures the evidence, consults the experts, and negotiates your settlement. We serve clients in English and Russian and are available around the clock.
There is absolutely no risk to call.
- $0 Upfront Costs
- 24/7 Availability
- Free Case Review
You focus on recovery. We handle everything else. Call (866) 288-9529 or contact us online for a free case review.
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. According to studies, victims represented by a personal injury lawyer receive higher settlement amounts compared to those who handle their cases independently. For a free case evaluation: