Did you trip and fall over a sidewalk basement door in New York City and injure yourself? Or worse, did you fall through a sidewalk basement door in NYC and sustain serious injuries?
One of your first calls should be to a sidewalk injury attorney in NYC. They will analyze the circumstances surrounding your slip-and-fall accident and determine who is to blame. You may be able to file a lawsuit against a private property owner for creating unsafe sidewalk conditions and collect injury compensation to cover medical costs.
Thankfully, pedestrian accidents involving cellar door falls are rare. However, New Yorkers walk three times more than other Americans, so the chances of them being involved in trip-and-fall claims are greater than they may realize.
Find out more about the common injuries you might suffer during slip-and-fall accidents involving sidewalk basement doors in NYC below.
Bumps and Bruises
Some slip-and-fall accidents involving sidewalk basement doors in NYC cause serious injuries, while others only produce minor bumps and bruises.
If you sustain just bumps and bruises during a slip and fall in NYC, you might not think to seek medical attention. However, you should still visit a nearby hospital for medical care.
Even what appear to be minor bumps and bruises may develop into injuries that will take a major toll on you once your adrenaline wears off.
Cuts and Lacerations
Sidewalk basement doors in New York City are typically made out of metal. This metal will often weaken and rust over time. It may even cause sidewalk basement doors to develop jagged edges that could cut you if you trip over them or fall through them.
In some cases, these cuts and lacerations might not seem like serious sidewalk injuries, but you shouldn’t take them lightly if they were caused by rusty metal. A medical professional might recommend you receive a tetanus shot to prevent infections.
Fractured Bones
Whether you trip and fall over basement sidewalk doors in NYC and land on the hard concrete next to them or fall through basement sidewalk doors and into the cellar beneath them, the chances of breaking at least one bone are high. You might break your wrist while bracing yourself for a fall or your ankle while landing on a hard cellar floor.
During a slip-and-fall accident, you may also break bones in other parts of the body, including the:
- Arms
- Hips
- Legs
- Hands
- Feet
Reach out to a sidewalk injury attorney if you suffer fractured bones in a slip and fall.
Soft Tissue Injuries
You might avoid breaking any bones despite taking a hard fall after tripping over sidewalk basement doors in NYC or falling directly through them. However, you may still endure soft tissue injuries that can be just as painful.
For instance, you might sprain your ankle during a fall or strain a muscle in your back. Some sprains and strains like this will worsen if you don’t seek the proper medical care. It’s another great reason to look for it immediately.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The New York State Department of Health reports that over 150 traumatic brain injuries occur in the Empire State every day. These TBIs result in about 2,200 deaths and almost 38,000 emergency room visits each year.
If you strike your head during a slip-and-fall accident involving sidewalk basement doors in NYC, you could sustain a TBI. This type of head injury ranges from a mild concussion to a potentially life-altering or even life-ending TBI.
Anyone who sustains a head injury during a slip-and-fall accident must go through a medical evaluation. You should also strongly consider contacting a sidewalk injury attorney to figure out your legal options in a case like this.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries aren’t quite as common as traumatic brain injuries in New York. Only about 1,100 New Yorkers suffer spinal cord injuries annually.
However, when spinal cord injuries occur during slip-and-fall accidents involving sidewalk basement doors, they’re some of the worst injuries.
Some spinal cord injuries might even lead to partial or complete paralysis. Seeking medical attention for SCIs and touching base with a sidewalk injury attorney would be wise.
How a Sidewalk Injury Attorney in Mineola, NY, Helps With Slip-and-Fall Accidents
If you’re ever injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by sidewalk basement doors in NYC, a sidewalk injury attorney can assist you. They can:
- Investigate your slip-and-fall accident and determine who caused it
- Create a premises liability case and prove negligence on the part of a building owner
- Handle settlement negotiations throughout your case
- Take your case to trial if a settlement isn’t reached
It isn’t easy to prove negligent property maintenance and show how it caused a slip-and-fall accident involving sidewalk basement doors in NYC. However, an experienced sidewalk injury attorney in Mineola, NY, can make the process less stressful.
Contact a Sidewalk Injury Attorney From the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C.
Sidewalk basement doors might blend into the background when you’re walking down the street in New York City. But if you’re ever injured by these doors in a slip-and-fall accident, you’ll see how much damage they can do.
Hire a sidewalk injury attorney from the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C., by calling (516) 294-5050 today. Read through our legal guide on trips and falls on uneven pavement as well.
FAQs
Have more questions? Search for the answers below.
Who Is Responsible for Slip-and-Fall Accidents on Sidewalk Basement Doors in NYC?
Building owners who use sidewalk basement doors in NYC are usually responsible for slip-and-fall accidents involving them. However, liability changes on a case-by-case basis.
Should I Hire an NYC Sidewalk Injury Lawyer Following a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Yes, you should hire an NYC sidewalk injury lawyer following a slip-and-fall accident. They can determine your case’s viability. They can also file a lawsuit on your behalf.
What Is a Slip-and-Fall Case in NYC Worth?
A slip-and-fall case in NYC could be worth anywhere from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. A sidewalk injury attorney can calculate the potential value of your case.
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.
