New York City Public Parks Slip And Fall Accidents Lawyer

In a big, busy and densely populated city like New York, public parks provide a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle. City residents and tourists visit the parks in all seasons for individual and family recreation. Every New Yorker has a right to expect that public parks are safe places to visit and enjoy. The city is responsible for maintaining the safe environment we expect. Unfortunately, unsafe conditions sometimes lead to accidents in New York Public Parks.

Slip and fall accidents are in an area of the law known as premises liability. When these injuries occur in a public park, special rules apply to take action to recover from the city. At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., we have the knowledge and experience required in order to help you get the compensation you deserve from the government.

Get help from our NYC public park slip and fall lawyers today. Just fill out our online form or call 212-279-2000 for a free case evaluation. We don’t charge you any fees unless you win your claim. David Resnick & Associates, P.C., is ready to take on your case anywhere in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and all of New York City.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Park Accident

How you react to a New York City public parks slip and fall at the scene and in the hours that follow can significantly affect the information you have available if you decide to pursue an injury claim. If your condition allows, here’s what to do to protect yourself before leaving the scene:

• Get Medical Attention – Seek treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be apparent right away. Having a medical record can help document that you sought care after the accident and link the slip-and-fall incident to your injuries.
• Photograph the Accident Scene – Use your phone to take photos or video of the hazard that caused your fall. Capture the surrounding area so you have a record of where the accident happened, in case the hazardous conditions are repaired, cleaned up, or changed.
• Identify Witnesses – If anyone saw you fall or noticed the hazardous condition, ask for their name and contact information. They may be able to provide information about what occurred.
• Document the Location – Record the park name and the specific place where you fell. Note nearby paths, entrances, playgrounds, benches, buildings, or other identifying features.
• Report the Dangerous Condition – Report the hazardous condition to NYC 311. Keep any confirmation or reference information associated with the report.
• Keep Accident-Related Records – Save your medical documents, photographs, correspondence, and other materials connected with the fall in one place.

Time to File a Slip-and-Fall Claim Against the City is Shortened

Claims against New York City have different deadlines than most personal injury cases. While the usual New York deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the accident date, New York City law requires you to file a Notice of Claim against the City within 90 days of the accident.

In addition to the Notice of Claim, New York imposes a 1-year, 90-day statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit. Because this timeframe is so brief, it’s important to have an experienced slip-and-fall attorney determine as soon as possible whether the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation or another public entity is responsible for the park where the accident occurred.

How Does a Municipal Claim Work?

A personal injury claim against New York City involves procedural requirements that don’t apply to typical claims against private property owners whose negligence causes harm. The process includes the following steps:

• Identify the Responsible Municipal Entity – First, determine which City agency or public entity was responsible for maintaining the property where the accident occurred.
• File a Notice of Claim – The notice of claim must state the nature of your claim and describe when, where, and how the accident occurred. New York law generally requires service within 90 days after the injury occurs.
• Participate in an Examination if Requested – Under New York law, the City may require you to answer questions under oath about the accident and your resulting injuries and damages before your lawsuit can proceed. An experienced slip-and-fall claim attorney can guide you through the process.
• File the Lawsuit Within the Applicable Deadline – Serving a notice of claim does not itself initiate a lawsuit. Filing a New York City public parks slip and fall lawsuit is a separate prerequisite to bringing certain claims against a municipality.

Slip and Fall Claims in New York City Public Parks

Central Park alone covers 843 acres, with miles of paved walking areas, many illuminated by lighting fixtures to ensure safety. With over 35 million visitors each year, the wear and tear creates many hazards to those visiting the park for enjoyment.

Examples of parks where slip and fall injuries occur include:

New York City Parks inspects parks regularly; however, if you see a potential hazard it should be reported to NYC 311.

Accidents in New York Public Parks

Falls account for more than 1 million injuries in the U.S. every year. An injury from a slip and fall accident is the most common of these types of injuries. There are many potential causes of slip and fall injuries in New York public parks, such as:

Slip and fall injuries can be minor or very serious. Sometimes they cause recurring problems that require periodic, long-term care. Persons injured in an NYC public park deserve to be compensated in the same manner as a similar injury on private property. You need a firm that is effective in holding the city accountable. We have the proven ability to deal effectively with the special rules involved in a slip and fall injury in a public park.

For most cases against a residential or business owner, you have three years to file a slip and fall claim. Not so with New York government entities, including the city parks department. They often have much shorter deadlines, and you may have only 90 days to file a notice of claim for your city park injuries. Failure to do so can lead to a total dismissal of your case. That means you would have no chance to recover the compensation you deserve. It’s important to talk with a New York City public parks injury attorney as soon as possible following your accident.

In general, you may be able to recover money to pay for:

Our New York Public Parks Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Help

At the New York City law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., we understand that a slip and fall accident can cause serious hardships for victims and their families. Our knowledgeable attorneys have years of experience with New York premises liability law. We are committed to holding the New York City Parks Department responsible for its negligence. Let us help you today. Call 212-279-2000 or complete our online contact form for a no-cost case review.