When a person suffers a slip-and-fall injury on someone’s property, they may be eligible to claim compensation from the property owner in New York. What happens if someone gets hurt on city property? An example would be falling on the stairs at City Hall. How would a person approach compensation for this kind of injury in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens or Brooklyn?
Protecting rights when filing a claim against New York City
The city does have premises liability coverage, but there are proper steps for the victim when filing a report. The first thing to do is report the accident to a security guard or a police officer. The earliest official reports of an injury are good evidence for a claim.
A person should remember the exact location and time of the accident for their records. A legal team sometimes checks client records with official reports. If there were any witnesses, it’s helpful to get their information. The victim should get medical attention as soon as possible to get the medical records in the report.
New York City will refuse any accident that is over 90 days old. The city needs all medical records, bills, witness testimony, and accident report information in under 90 days.
What types of claims will New York City accept?
New York City doesn’t use sovereign immunity; the city handles negligence on its properties. Slips, trips, and falls on the city-owned property are some of the most common claims against the city. Common premises liability cases include people hit, pierced, or cut by an object. City vehicle accidents such as fire trucks, police cars, and garbage trucks also occur. Defects and hazards in city buildings are from city employees failing to make repairs without warning the public. An example of a premises liability case is slipping on the ice because a city worker didn’t fix a broken pipe. In addition, any city facility that offers medical services may be negligent with treatment.
There are steps for a person to take after an accident on city property in New York. Injured victims can sue the city for damages as long as they file the proper paperwork within 90 days. The most important thing a person can do is report the accident and see a doctor.