How Attorneys Handle Slip and Fall Cases Against NYC Public Housing Authorities

Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of personal injury claims, especially in densely populated areas like New York City. When these accidents occur on properties managed by public housing authorities, such as the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), pursuing a claim involves unique challenges and complexities.

Here’s how our experienced personal injury attorneys approach slip-and-fall cases against NYC public housing authorities to secure justice and compensation for our clients.

Understanding the Unique Nature of NYCHA Cases

NYCHA manages thousands of properties across the city, many of which are older buildings with ongoing maintenance issues, leading to some of the most common causes of personal injuries.

Slip and fall accidents on NYCHA properties often result from:

• Broken or Uneven Sidewalks: Deteriorating sidewalks pose a significant hazard to residents and visitors.
• Wet or Slippery Floors: Poorly maintained entryways, hallways, or stairwells can become dangerous, particularly in inclement weather.
• Insufficient Lighting: Dimly lit stairwells, corridors, or outdoor areas increase the risk of falls.
• Damaged Staircases: Broken steps, loose railings, or other structural defects can lead to severe injuries.
• Improper Snow and Ice Removal: Failing to clear walkways promptly creates hazardous conditions during winter months.

When slip and fall accidents occur on these properties, it is critical that the injured party understand that public housing authorities, including NYCHA, are government entities. This means they are subject to specific laws and protections that private property owners are not, such as the requirement to file a Notice of Claim and adhere to strict deadlines.

Our attorneys representing slip and fall victims must navigate these complexities while proving that NYCHA’s negligence directly caused the injury, starting with a free consultation.

Steps Our NYC Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Attorneys Take to Build a Strong Case

Pursuing a claim against a public housing authority requires meticulous preparation and adherence to specific procedures.

Here’s how our experienced NYC personal injury attorneys handle these cases:

• Filing a Notice of Claim

In New York, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident when pursuing a claim against NYCHA. This document informs the housing authority of your intention to seek damages and outlines the basics of your case, including the date, location, and nature of the incident. Missing this deadline can bar you from pursuing compensation.

• Investigating the Accident

We conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence that supports your claim, ensuring no detail is overlooked. This process may include documenting the hazardous condition that caused the fall through photographs or videos, securing witness statements from individuals who saw the accident or were aware of the dangerous condition, and reviewing NYCHA’s maintenance and repair logs to identify any lapses in upkeep. By compiling comprehensive evidence, we strengthen your case and build a solid foundation for pursuing the compensation you deserve.

• Proving Negligence

To succeed in a slip-and-fall case, it is essential to prove that NYCHA was negligent by demonstrating several vital elements. First, it must be shown that NYCHA had a duty of care to maintain safe conditions on its property. Next, the evidence must establish that NYCHA breached this duty by failing to repair a hazardous condition or provide adequate warning. Additionally, the case must show causation, meaning the dangerous condition directly caused the injury. Finally, the victim must have suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the accident. Together, these elements form the foundation for a successful claim.

• Navigating Government Immunities

Public entities like NYCHA may attempt to assert governmental immunity as a defense. Our skilled slip-and-fall accident attorneys anticipate this argument and work to establish that NYCHA acted negligently in a way that directly contributed to the accident, overcoming potential legal hurdles.

Challenges of Slip and Fall Cases Against NYCHA

Claims against public housing authorities often involve challenges not present in cases against private property owners.

Time is of the essence in each of these cases, as our dedicated personal injury lawyers in New York City must navigate:

• Short Deadlines: Filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days leaves little room for delay.
• Government Protections: NYCHA may argue that it wasn’t aware of the hazard or that the condition wasn’t present long enough to address.
• Proving Notice: Plaintiffs must show that NYCHA knew or should have known about the hazardous condition but failed to act.

Slip-and-fall cases involving public housing authorities require a deep understanding of personal injury law and government procedures. Our experienced attorneys know how to navigate these complexities, ensuring all deadlines are met, evidence is preserved, and your rights are fully protected as we work to build a compelling case that holds NYCHA accountable for its negligence.

Contact Our Dedicated NYC Housing Authority Accident and Injury Lawyers for Help

If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident on a NYCHA property, don’t wait. The clock is ticking to file your claim and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact the New York personal injury law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., online or call us at 212-279-2000 today for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate this challenging process.

We serve clients throughout New York City, in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Long Island.

You can speak with our skilled New York City injury attorneys for free. If your case qualifies, we will handle every detail from start to finish without any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. You will only pay for our elite personal injury services if we successfully win your case—that’s our commitment to you.

Author: David Resnick

Founder of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York personal injury law firm in charge of providing exceptional and personal service to each of our clients in various areas including car accidents, slip and fall, wrongful death, construction accidents, and premises liability. David Resnick founded the firm in 1998 after working in large law firms where he saw a need for greater client communication and more personal care.