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Posted on October 27, 2017 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
Wet floors can be a scary situation for employees and customers alike. After all, wet floors are the most common cause of slips, trips, and falls. They also cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths.
If you’re an employee, a resident or a property manager, it’s important to understand wet floor regulations so that you can take action if you have been a victim of a slip and fall.
Posted on October 26, 2017 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
Stairways are a part of everyday life in New York City, from apartment buildings and subway stations to office buildings and retail stores. While most people use stairs without a second thought, dangerous or poorly maintained stairways can quickly lead to serious accidents and injuries.
Broken steps, missing handrails, slippery surfaces, and poor lighting are just some of the hazards that contribute to stair-related falls. If a dangerous condition caused your injury, speaking with a stairway accident lawyer may help you understand your legal rights.
At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we help injured victims throughout Brooklyn and New York City pursue compensation after preventable slip and fall accidents.
Unsafe stairs can be found in apartment buildings, subway stations, parking garages, restaurants, and other public or private properties throughout New York City.
Some of the most common stairway hazards include:
Curved or unusually angled stairways can also increase the risk of falls, especially when stair dimensions are narrow or difficult to navigate safely.
Many Brooklyn apartment buildings rely heavily on stair access, especially older properties without elevators. Carrying groceries, moving furniture, or navigating dim stairwells can increase the risk of falls if stairs are not properly maintained.
Subway station stairways can also become dangerous during rainy or icy weather conditions. Slippery steps, damaged surfaces, and crowded conditions may contribute to serious injuries.
Outdoor stairways require special attention during winter months because snow and ice accumulation can create hazardous walking conditions. Property owners are generally expected to take reasonable steps to address dangerous conditions in a timely manner.
Determining liability after a stairway accident often involves examining whether the property owner violated state or city building codes. Under the NYC Building Code, property owners are responsible for maintaining buildings and related structures in a safe and code-compliant condition.
The NYC Building Code establishes minimum safety requirements for interior and exterior stairways, including standards related to stair construction, width, handrails, lighting, and obstruction prevention.
If a staircase fails to meet these requirements and someone is injured as a result, the property owner or manager may be held liable for negligence.
Weather conditions can also play a role in stairway accidents throughout Brooklyn and New York City. During the winter months, wet or icy outdoor stairs can become especially dangerous. Property owners are generally expected to take reasonable steps to remove snow and ice or apply salt and other anti-slip treatments to help prevent accidents.
An experienced Brooklyn stairway accident lawyer can investigate whether unsafe conditions, code violations, or negligent maintenance contributed to your injuries.
While property owners are responsible for maintaining safe stairways, there are also precautions individuals can take to reduce the risk of falls.
Safety tips include walking carefully, using handrails whenever possible, wearing shoes with proper traction, and avoiding distractions while using stairs. During winter weather, extra caution should be taken on outdoor stairways that may be wet or icy.
Good lighting and clear walkways can also help prevent accidents in residential and commercial buildings.
A fall down unsafe stairs can result in serious injuries, including fractures, back injuries, head trauma, and long-term mobility issues. Medical treatment and missed time from work can quickly create financial stress for injured victims and their families.
A stairway accident lawyer in NYC can investigate the cause of your accident, gather evidence, identify liable parties, and handle negotiations with insurance companies. In some cases, compensation may be available for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
If you were injured because of broken stairs, unsafe handrails, or hazardous stairway conditions, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum helps clients throughout Brooklyn and New York City navigate complex premises liability and slip and fall claims. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping you recover after a serious accident.
Call (718) 237-5586 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced stairway accident lawyer today.
Posted on July 14, 2017 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
Playgrounds should be some of the safest spaces in New York City, as they are constructed with the safety of kids in mind, but unfortunately, accidents on NYC playgrounds are all too common.
Slip and falls are among the most common causes of playground injuries, often resulting in broken bones, head trauma, and other serious medical issues. If your child was injured because of unsafe playground conditions, speaking with a playground injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options.
At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we help families throughout Brooklyn and New York City pursue compensation after preventable playground accidents.
Children can be injured on playgrounds in many different ways. While some accidents are unavoidable, others occur because of dangerous conditions or negligent supervision.
Common causes of playground injuries include broken or defective equipment, slippery surfaces, unsafe swings or climbing structures, poor maintenance, exposed metal or sharp edges, and inadequate safety surfacing beneath playground equipment.
According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, more than 213,000 children younger than 18 are treated in U.S. emergency departments for playground-related injuries each year. Most playground injuries are caused by falls and commonly involve broken bones, sprains, cuts, and head injuries.
Playground accidents can lead to injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to long-term physical trauma. Children may suffer broken bones, concussions, neck and back injuries, sprains, soft tissue damage, and severe lacerations.
In more serious cases, injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing medical treatment. Head injuries can be especially concerning because symptoms are not always immediately visible after an accident.
Determining liability after a playground accident depends on how the injury occurred and whether a dangerous condition contributed to the incident.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
For example, if playground equipment was broken or improperly maintained and the hazard was ignored, the responsible party may be held liable for negligence.
Claims involving public parks can be especially complex because lawsuits against the city often involve strict filing deadlines and legal procedures. Speaking with an experienced NYC playground accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights.
If your child is injured on a playground, taking immediate action can help protect both their health and your potential legal claim.
Parents should seek medical attention right away, even if the injury initially appears minor. It is also important to document the accident scene by taking photos of the playground equipment or the hazardous condition that caused the injury.
If possible, gather witness information and report the incident to the property owner, school, or parks department. Keeping records of medical treatment, expenses, and communications related to the accident can also be helpful later.
A serious playground injury can leave families facing medical expenses, emotional stress, and uncertainty about what comes next.
A playground accident lawyer can investigate how the accident happened, determine who may be legally responsible, gather evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies. Legal representation can be especially important in cases involving public property or multiple liable parties.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury.
If your child was injured because of unsafe playground conditions, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum helps families throughout Brooklyn and New York City navigate complex premises liability and playground accident claims. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping your family move forward after a serious injury.
Call (718) 237-5586 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced playground accident lawyer today.
Posted on July 19, 2016 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
Who doesn’t love going to a New York water park or beach on a hot summer day? But what if your fun in the sun is decimated with a fall on an uneven sidewalk? Or perhaps a fall on some stairs occurs because insufficient handrails are available. That’s when it’s time to call the experienced accident attorneys at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum.
Posted on June 8, 2016 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
A recent ENR New York article reported that safety precautions implemented and followed by a local construction company did not prevent a city crane from collapsing at 60 Hudson Street in early February of this year. These regulations were put into place after several cranes had collapsed in New York over the past several years. The accident killed one pedestrian, and injured three others. While the news report states the company did in fact follow the precautions, this is not always the case in work-related accidents. Below is a basic understanding of who is responsible if an employer fails to follow safety guidelines and an incident occurs.
Posted on May 31, 2016 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
While parks are great places for picnics, spending time with the family or having a barbecue in the outdoors, an injury can happen on the property. Limbs from trees can come crashing down, a child may fall into a pool, or a person may trip and fall on uneven ground. For these reasons, it is important to know who may be liable for an injury suffered in a park and to understand how to pursue a lawsuit if the park is privately or publicly owned.
Posted on May 19, 2016 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
While one is going about his or her busy day, the last thing to expect is an injury from a slip and fall accident. Nevertheless, slip and falls can happen anywhere, at any time and to anyone. If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall due to a wet surface, below are several steps you should take in order to preserve your case.
Posted on April 28, 2016 by Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum
According to the U.S. Department of Labor the majority of workplace injuries are a result of slips, trips, and falls. In fact, work-related injuries account for as much as 15 percent of all accidental deaths per year just behind car accidents. It is estimated that work-related injuries result in 65 percent of all lost workdays per year.
