Did you sustain an injury during a slip-and-fall accident on a sidewalk in New York City? You likely know to call a sidewalk injury attorney in NYC for legal guidance in a case like this.
However, should you take this same approach if you were injured due to a sidewalk grate? With nearly 40,000 grates scattered throughout the City That Never Sleeps, this is a question New Yorkers sometimes face.
Discover what you need to know about being injured by a sidewalk grate in NYC below.
Identifying Sidewalk Grates in New York City
About 665 miles of subway tracks run underneath New York City. Sidewalk grates throughout NYC provide ventilation for the Big Apple’s huge subway system and the roughly 3.6 million passengers who depend on it daily.
These steel plate grates may also serve other purposes. In some cases, they’re installed to give local utility companies access to their underground facilities. In other instances, they’re put in place over cellar entrances for nearby buildings.
These grates are not to be confused with the vault covers that you will find incorporated into many NYC sidewalks, though these covers come with their own trip injury concerns. New Yorkers should treat these sidewalk hazards just like they would grates when filing negligence claims.
Pinpointing Potential Problems With NYC Sidewalk Grates
Generally speaking, it’s safe for pedestrians to walk on sidewalk grates in NYC. They’re designed to withstand the weight of pedestrian foot traffic.
However, that doesn’t mean these grates don’t have problems, especially as they age. If proper grate maintenance and repairs aren’t done, they may begin to break down and eventually transform into tripping hazards for New Yorkers.
Here are several prevalent grate problems in NYC:
- Broken grates with sharp pieces of metal sticking out of them
- Weakened grates that are no longer strong enough to withstand much weight
- Loose grates that move around too much when people step on them
- Missing grates that have been removed altogether or that have fallen into the cavities beneath them
Understanding Common Sidewalk Grate Injuries in New York City
NYC311 has established a dedicated page for those who encounter damaged or missing sidewalk grates in NYC. Thankfully, this helps prevent many sidewalk accidents in the Big Apple every year.
However, these accidents do occasionally occur. They have the potential to cause a wide range of injuries.
Examples include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Sprained and strained muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Knowing What To Do After Being Injured by a Sidewalk Grate in NYC
Sustaining an injury while walking over a sidewalk grate in NYC is a traumatic experience. It’s the last thing people expect to happen when walking down busy sidewalks alongside congested streets.
If you’re ever injured by a grate in NYC, here are the steps you should take next:
- Call 911 to report your accident, especially if you sustained serious injuries.
- Seek medical attention at a local hospital and request injury documentation.
- Gather as much evidence from the accident scene as you can, and take photographs and videos of it with your smartphone, if possible.
- Ask anyone who witnessed your accident for their contact information.
- Search for an NYC sidewalk injury lawyer to evaluate your case.
Determining liability in a sidewalk accident in NYC is tricky. Depending on where the grate that injured you is located, you may file a lawsuit against a private property owner, a utility company, or even the City of New York for not taking pedestrian safety seriously enough.
Hiring a sidewalk injury attorney will make it possible to identify the responsible party in your case and prove liability. You may seek to recover damages to pay for medical bills and account for lost wages and other accident-related expenses.
Finding the Right NYC Sidewalk Injury Lawyer
Are you unsure which NYC sidewalk injury lawyer to hire to help you build a case after being injured by a sidewalk grate? Rely on a law firm that understands the intricacies of sidewalk injury cases.
This law firm should have the following qualities:
- Extensive experience with representing personal injury clients in sidewalk accident lawsuits
- A positive reputation within NYC among former clients
- A warm and welcoming legal team that treats your case with compassion and the utmost attention to detail
The Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C., is a great example of a law firm you can count on to represent you during a sidewalk accident case.
Contact Us To Speak With a Sidewalk Injury Attorney
Recovering from an injury caused by a sidewalk grate in NYC will present challenges. Overcome them with the help of a sidewalk injury attorney in Mineola, NY, from the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. Call us today at (516) 294-5050 to schedule a consultation or check out this legal guide on trips and falls on uneven pavement for more information.
FAQs
Have additional questions about injuries suffered during sidewalk accidents in NYC? Look for answers below.
Who Is Responsible for Accidents Caused by Sidewalk Grates in New York City?
Private property owners, utility companies, and New York City may all be legally responsible for accidents caused by sidewalk grates. The extent of liability depends on where the grates are located and who is in charge of maintaining and repairing them.
How Can I Prove Property Owner Liability in a Sidewalk Grate Accident Case in NYC?
You can prove property owner liability in a sidewalk grate accident case in NYC by keeping medical records, photographs and videos of the accident scene, and other evidence. You can also do it by working closely with an NYC sidewalk injury lawyer.
How Much Is My NYC Sidewalk Accident Case Worth?
An NYC sidewalk accident case’s value will change on a case-by-case basis. Its worth is based on the severity of your injuries, the impact they’ll have on your life, and other factors.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, laws and regulations change frequently, and specific cases may have unique circumstances that affect their outcome. Please note that in New York, while the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years, certain cases (particularly those involving government entities) may have significantly shorter deadlines. For legal advice tailored to your specific situation, we strongly encourage you to contact our office to speak with a qualified attorney who can properly evaluate your case and provide appropriate guidance.
