Slip and fall accidents happen every day in New York—on icy sidewalks, in crowded stores, or inside poorly maintained buildings. If you were injured in a slip and fall in New York, you may be wondering: How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
What many people don’t realize is that the clock to take legal action starts ticking immediately.
In most cases, New York law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file. However, certain situations—especially those involving government property—can significantly shorten that timeline. Knowing the statute of limitations is essential to protecting your right to compensation.
Quick Links
- Understanding the New York 3-Year Deadline
- Why the Statute of Limitations Matters for Your Slip and Fall Claim
- What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in New York
- Compensation You May Be Able To Recover in a Slip and Fall Claim
- Why Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your New York Slip and Fall Claim
- Meirowitz & Wasserberg Slip and Fall Settlements and Verdicts
- What Our Slip and Fall Accident Clients Are Saying
- Do I Have a Slip and Fall Case?
- Get Help For Your Slip and Fall Injuries Today
Understanding the New York 3-Year Deadline
Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, you generally have three years from the day of your slip and fall to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court can dismiss your case outright, no matter how strong your evidence may be.
The three-year limit applies to most slip and fall cases on private or commercial property, such as stores, apartment complexes, or restaurants. The countdown begins on the date of your accident—not when you first discover the severity of your injuries.
Situations That Change the Deadline (Exceptions and Special Cases)
Some circumstances can shorten or extend the statute of limitations. Common examples include:
- Falls on government property: If your accident happened on city, county, or state-owned property, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and bring a lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
- Minors or incapacitated victims: If the injured person is under 18 or mentally incapacitated, the statute may be “tolled” (paused) until they are legally able to pursue the case.
- Defendant unavailable: If the property owner leaves the state or attempts to hide the hazard, the filing deadline may be extended.
Because these exceptions can be complex, consulting with experienced New York premises liability lawyers as soon as possible is the safest way to avoid missing a critical deadline.
Why the Statute of Limitations Matters for Your Slip and Fall Claim
Time limits can make or break your case—even with strong evidence to support your claim. Waiting too long risks:
- Losing your right to compensation: Courts dismiss cases filed after the deadline.
- Weaker evidence: Photos fade, surveillance footage is erased, and witnesses’ memories become less reliable.
- Insurance company advantage: The longer you wait, the more leverage insurers gain to deny or reduce your claim.
Timely action not only preserves your rights but also strengthens your ability to recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and any pain or suffering you’ve experienced as a result.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in New York
Taking the right steps immediately after a fall can protect both your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention and keep records of every visit, test, and prescription.
- Report the incident to the property owner, landlord, or store manager, and request a written copy of the report.
- Document the scene by taking photos or videos of the hazard (such as ice, spills, or broken flooring).
- Collect witness information, including names and contact details of anyone who saw your fall.
Speak with a lawyer quickly—especially an experienced slip and fall lawyer in New York—to avoid missing important deadlines.
Compensation You May Be Able To Recover in a Slip and Fall Claim
Filing within the statute of limitations opens the door to financial recovery. Depending on your injuries and circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Permanent disability, or loss of quality of life
Every case is different, but timely filing ensures you can seek the full breadth of damages available under New York law.
Why Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your New York Slip and Fall Claim
Many victims lose out on justice simply because they didn’t know the filing deadlines—or weren’t aware of the special rules for government property claims. At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we make sure that never happens. Our attorneys handle every aspect of the process:
- Filing legal paperwork timely and correctly
- Accident investigation to uncover negligence
- Aggressive negotiation with insurers
- Fighting on your behalf in court if necessary
As founding partner, Samuel Meirowitz explains:
“If you have a slip and fall accident in there are a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration and talking to a lawyer is really important because one of the things that you’ll need to know is is the property that you slipped and fell on public property or private property it makes a huge difference in how the case is pursued depending upon who owns the property that you got injured on.”
You can learn more about our firm’s history and commitment to clients and meet our attorneys who will fight for your rights.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg Slip and Fall Settlements and Verdicts
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve recovered millions for clients injured in slip and fall accidents, including:
- $750,000 – Client slipped on wet paint outside a department store, suffering fractures in the foot and ankle.
- $400,000 – Client slipped on snow and ice in the street, causing a femoral neck fracture and knee trauma.
- $175,000 – Client tripped on a handicap ramp at a residential building, leading to surgery for a femoral neck fracture.
- $75,000 – Client slipped on ice in a parking lot, injuring the shoulder, knee, and wrist.
These results show our commitment to maximizing compensation for our clients. You can see more of our case results here.
What Our Slip and Fall Accident Clients Are Saying
Our clients trust us to stand by them during one of the most difficult times of their lives:
- “Suffered from an injury after slipping and falling at work. My case was handled extremely well with this law firm, and I recommend them to anyone who may be in my same position.” – Reece Carmody
- “The attorneys at Meirowitz and Wasserberg have gone above and beyond in assisting with my close relative’s slip and fall accident. They provided my family with great resources and even better guidance on the case proceedings since this was our first ever time in court. I could not recommend Meirowitz and Wasserberg enough, and am so glad to have found this law office!” – Jake Steel
- “I had a pretty bad slip-up in a grocery store and came to Meirowitz and Wasserberg, and then they came to my aid. I loved their service and will definitely be coming back if I get into another accident (fingers crossed that I don’t).” – David Sarver
- “Meirowitz and Wasserberg are the best in the business. I was recently injured due to a slip and fall in the city and did not hesitate to schedule an appointment with them. They handled everything quickly and professionally. I greatly appreciate all that they have done for me.” – Ben D’Angelo
As attorney Sam Meirowitz says:
“When you hire Meirowitz & Wasserberg, you hire a team of trial lawyers and staff who are with you every step of the way. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and have the resources to fight those big corporations.”
Do I Have a Slip and Fall Case?
Every slip-and-fall accident is unique. The strength of your case depends on the evidence, the property owner’s responsibility, and how quickly you act. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for your rights.
Get Help For Your Slip and Fall Injuries Today
A slip and fall injury can disrupt every part of your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. If you’re seeking justice and compensation for your injuries, you don’t have to face this alone. At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we fight for maximum compensation so you can focus on healing. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on rebuilding your life.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm specializing in mesothelioma & personal injury cases, led by award-winning trial attorneys. We have successfully handled hundreds of slip and fall injury lawsuits and recovered millions on behalf of our clients.
Call us today at 800-726-6326 ext. 123 or contact us online for a free consultation.
