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Executive Summary: If you’re hurt on a sidewalk in NYC, take action right away. Get medical care, take photos of the hazard, identify who owns the sidewalk, and keep records of your expenses. You may be entitled to compensation, but deadlines apply, especially if the city is involved. A lawyer can help you build your case and fight for what you’re owed.

Tripping on a sidewalk in New York City might not seem like a big deal until it happens to you. Uneven pavement, cracks, loose bricks, ice, or debris can cause serious falls. And when the injuries are bad, the medical bills and lost wages can follow fast. If you were hurt in a sidewalk fall, you might be able to take legal action. But it matters what you do next and how quickly you do it.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Your health is the first priority. Go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic, even if you think you’ll be fine. You might have injuries you don’t feel right away, like internal bleeding or a concussion. Having your injuries documented by a medical provider is also critical if you decide to file a claim.

Step 2: Take Photos and Gather Evidence

If you’re able, take pictures of the exact area where you fell. Show what caused the fall—a broken slab, ice, poor lighting, etc. Include wide shots and close-ups. Try to get photos before anything is fixed or cleaned up. Also:

• Get contact info for any witnesses
• Save the shoes and clothes you were wearing
• Write down the time and date of the fall

This kind of documentation can make a big difference later.

Step 3: Find Out Who Owns the Sidewalk

Sidewalk liability in NYC is not always clear. In most cases, the adjacent property owner—not the city—is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk. That includes businesses, apartment buildings, and even some private homeowners. However, the city may still be responsible if the sidewalk is in front of a one-, two-, or three-family home occupied by the owner.

You may also have to act fast. If the city is responsible, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. If you miss that deadline, you could lose your right to sue.

Step 4: Keep Track of Your Losses

Your medical bills, missed work, and any other related costs should be documented and saved. Keep receipts, hospital records, and a journal of your pain and symptoms. If the injury limits your ability to walk, work, or take care of your kids, write that down too.

The more information you have, the easier it is to prove how the injury affected your life.

Step 5: Speak with a Lawyer

Sidewalk injury cases are not always easy. The city or property owner will often try to deny responsibility or argue that you were at fault. A lawyer can help you:

• Identify who is legally responsible
• File the right paperwork on time
• Gather evidence and medical records
• Fight for full compensation

You don’t have to go through it alone. And if your case has merit, there are law firms who will take it on and fight for you even when others won’t.

Call Silberstein & Miklos to Get Started

Sidewalk cases in NYC are tough, but we don’t back down. At Silberstein & Miklos, we’ve taken hundreds of injury cases to court when others walked away. We fight hard because we care. If you were injured on a sidewalk in New York, call us today for a free consultation. We’ll listen. We’ll dig in. And we won’t give up.