What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Brooklyn: Step-by-Step Guide
- Reza Yassi
- Dec 22, 2025
- 6 min read
A slip and fall accident can change your life in seconds. Whether it happens in a Brooklyn grocery store, a bodega, an apartment building stairwell, or on a poorly maintained NYC sidewalk, the consequences can range from minor bruises to serious injuries requiring long-term care.
In New York City, these cases often fall under premises liability law, which may hold property owners, managers, and other responsible parties accountable when negligence causes harm.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can make or break the claim. Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage can be overwritten. Witnesses leave. Conditions get cleaned or repaired.
At Yassi Law, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Brooklyn help injured people protect their rights and pursue compensation after premises liability accidents.
Quick Checklist: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
Get medical care right away, even if symptoms seem minor
Photograph the hazard and the surrounding area (wide shots and close-ups)
Get witness names and phone numbers
Report the incident and request an incident report
Preserve shoes and clothing worn during the fall
Write down exactly what happened while it is fresh
Speak with a Brooklyn slip and fall attorney before dealing with insurance
Step 1: Prioritize Your Health and Safety
Seek immediate medical attention
Your health should always come first. Even if your injuries feel minor, get checked promptly. Some injuries, including concussions, back injuries, and internal injuries, do not always show symptoms immediately.
Medical treatment also creates documentation that connects your injury to the fall, which becomes critical evidence in a premises liability claim.
Follow your doctor’s instructions and keep records
Keep all medical documents, prescriptions, and receipts. Follow your doctor’s care plan. Insurance companies often argue that missed appointments or gaps in treatment mean the injury was not serious.
Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene
Take photos and videos
Use your phone to capture the exact area where you fell, focusing on hazards such as:
Spills or wet floors (and whether warning signs were present)
Broken flooring, loose tiles, or uneven surfaces
Poor lighting in hallways, stairwells, or entrances
Missing handrails or damaged steps
Ice or snow buildup on sidewalks
Take both wide shots and close-ups. Record the time and date if your phone supports it.
Collect witness information
If anyone saw the fall, ask for their full name, phone number, and email. Witness statements can be decisive when the property owner disputes liability.
Save clothing and personal items
Do not wash or throw away your clothing or shoes. They may contain residue, moisture, or damage that supports how the accident occurred.
Step 3: Report the Incident to the Property Owner or Manager
Notify the property owner, landlord, superintendent, store manager, or building staff as soon as possible. Request that an incident report be completed and ask for a copy.
This helps establish that the incident was reported close in time to the injury.
Important: Do not sign documents or give recorded statements before speaking with your attorney. Insurers often try to lock people into statements that later get used to reduce or deny claims.
Step 4: Understand Premises Liability Law in New York
A slip and fall case is usually a premises liability matter. The basic idea is simple: property owners and managers must maintain reasonably safe conditions for people who are lawfully on the property.
Elements of a premises liability claim
To succeed in a premises liability / slip and fall claim, your attorney typically must prove:
Duty of care: The owner or manager had a legal obligation to keep the property reasonably safe
Breach: They failed to fix a hazard or warn about it
Causation: That failure caused your fall and injuries
Damages: You suffered measurable harm (medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering)
The issue that decides many cases: notice
In real-world slip and fall litigation, a major battleground is whether the owner knew (or should have known) about the hazard.
Evidence that often matters includes:
Surveillance footage
Cleaning and inspection logs
Maintenance records and repair requests
Prior complaints about the same condition
Witness testimony about how long the hazard existed
Step 5: NYC Sidewalk Falls Are Different
A fall on a sidewalk in Brooklyn triggers different liability analysis than a fall inside a store or building.
Under NYC Administrative Code § 7-210, the owner of property abutting the sidewalk is generally responsible for keeping the sidewalk reasonably safe and can be liable for injuries caused by failure to maintain it. The law also includes snow and ice removal as part of sidewalk maintenance, and it contains an exception for certain owner-occupied one-, two-, or three-family residential properties used exclusively for residential purposes. (American Legal Publishing)
Also, NYC has specific snow and ice clearing rules. For example, NYC311 explains that property owners must clear sidewalks within set timeframes after snow stops falling, including “within 4 hours” for certain daytime periods and “by 11 AM” for overnight snowfall. (NYC311)
Because sidewalk cases can involve multiple potential defendants, including private owners and public entities, it is worth speaking to counsel quickly to identify who legally controls the location.
Step 6: Handle Insurance Companies With Caution
After a slip and fall, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster for the property owner. Their job is to reduce the claim’s value and protect their insured.
Common tactics include:
Requesting a recorded statement
Asking you to sign broad medical authorizations
Offering quick settlements before you know the full diagnosis
Arguing the fall was caused by footwear, distraction, or “open and obvious” conditions
A skilled Brooklyn premises liability attorney can:
Communicate directly with insurers
Preserve evidence and request video and records
Evaluate whether an offer covers the full impact of your injuries
Prepare the case for litigation if needed
Step 7: Contact a Brooklyn Slip and Fall Lawyer Early
Slip and fall claims involve deadlines that vary depending on who you may need to sue.
Most New York slip and fall lawsuits: generally 3 years from the date of the accident. (New York State Unified Court System)
Claims involving NYC or certain public entities: may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. The NYC Comptroller explains that personal injury and property damage notices of claim must be properly served within 90 days from the date of occurrence under General Municipal Law § 50-e. (NYC Comptroller's Office)
Claims involving the MTA: the Public Authorities Law provisions for the MTA include both a notice of claim requirement and a shorter time to sue in many tort cases. (NewYork.Public.Law)
An attorney can help you identify the correct defendant, preserve evidence, and avoid deadline problems that can destroy an otherwise strong case.
At Yassi Law, we fight for fair results for victims across Brooklyn and the greater New York area. If you want to learn more about our background and approach, you can also view our firm profile here: https://www.yassilaw.com/about-me
Potential Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims
Depending on the facts, slip and fall compensation may include:
Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Emotional distress
Property damage (phone, glasses, etc.)
Your attorney can estimate value based on medical proof, liability strength, and comparable New York outcomes.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in New York?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of the accident. (New York State Unified Court System)
What if my slip and fall happened on a Brooklyn sidewalk?
In NYC, the abutting property owner is often responsible for sidewalk maintenance under Administrative Code § 7-210, with certain exceptions. (American Legal Publishing)
When is a Notice of Claim required in NYC cases?
If the claim is against the City (or certain public entities), you may need to serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days. (NYC Comptroller's Office)
What if I was partly at fault for my fall?
You can often still recover compensation, but the amount may be reduced based on your share of fault.
Can I sue a store for a wet floor accident?
Yes, if the store knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to correct it or warn customers.
What evidence matters most in a slip and fall claim?
The strongest evidence is usually medical records, photos/video of the hazard, witness contact information, and surveillance footage.
How much does a Brooklyn slip and fall lawyer cost?
Most premises liability cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney’s fees unless there is a recovery.
Conclusion
A slip and fall accident can happen to anyone, but what you do afterward makes all the difference. Getting medical care, documenting the scene, and handling insurance carefully can protect your health and strengthen your case.
If you were injured in Brooklyn or anywhere in NYC, an attorney can help identify who is responsible, preserve evidence, and pursue full compensation under New York premises liability law.
Disclaimer: For Educational Purposes Only
This blog provides general information about slip and fall accidents and premises liability in New York. It is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts. For legal advice about your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.
Get Legal Help After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Brooklyn or anywhere in New York, contact Yassi Law for a free consultation. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting victims’ rights and pursuing fair compensation.
Disclaimer:
This article is for information purposes only. Although I am an attorney, I am not your attorney, and reviewing or engaging with this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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