Trusted slip and fall attorneys with over 75 years of experience serving injured victims across New York.
If you fell on someone else’s property in Hempstead, NY, then you are likely dealing with serious injuries and concerns about your finances. Our Hempstead, NY slip and fall lawyer has been representing injured New Yorkers for over 75 years. At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we understand how property owners defend these claims, how insurers try to minimize them, and what it actually takes to recover full compensation. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Slip and Fall Lawyer Hempstead, NY
A slip and fall claim is a premises liability case. Property owners in New York have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they don’t and someone gets hurt because of it, the law provides a path to compensation.
However, you have to show the property owner knew about the dangerous condition, or should have known about it through ordinary care, and failed to act. This involves evidence, timing, and often a fight over what the owner did or didn’t do to maintain the property. Insurers look for ways to shift blame onto the person who got hurt. Having an attorney who has handled these cases before matters more than most people realize before they try to navigate it alone.
Types of Slip and Fall Cases We Handle in Hempstead
Premises liability cases come in a lot of different forms. The location, the type of hazard, and who owns the property all shape what the case looks like and how it gets defended. We represent injured clients across Hempstead and Nassau County in a range of slip and fall matters.
- Sidewalk and parking lot falls. Cracked pavement, uneven concrete slabs, and neglected sidewalks or parking lots cause serious falls year-round. Figuring out who’s responsible, whether a municipality, a business, or a private property owner, is often the first real challenge in these cases.
- Snow and ice accidents. Property owners still have to take care of a property in the winter time. New York law requires them to address icy conditions within a reasonable time after a storm ends. When they don’t, the results can be severe.
- Store and supermarket falls. Wet floors without warning signs, spilled merchandise left unattended, and poor lighting in aisles. Retail environments create predictable hazards, and businesses have a duty to find and fix them.
- Parking garage falls. Bad drainage, oil slicks, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting make garages dangerous. These cases frequently involve both the building owner and a management company.
- Apartment and residential building falls. Landlords bear responsibility for common areas, stairwells, entryways, and hallways. When those spaces aren’t maintained, tenants and visitors pay the price.
- Restaurant and bar falls. A wet floor near the bar, mat that’s bunched up near the entrance, or uneven flooring that nobody bothered to fix are all common hazards often documented in prior complaints and entirely avoidable.
Why Choose Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP for Slip and Fall in Hempstead, NY?
Decades of Experience With Premises Liability Cases
Seventy-five years is a long time to be representing injured New Yorkers. This number reflects cases tried, appeals won, and hard-fought settlements secured across New York City and Long Island, including right here in Nassau County.
Martin Schiowitz, who co-founded the firm in 1978 and has served as its Managing Partner, has spent over 50 years handling personal injury, premises liability, and wrongful death cases at the highest level. He’s been recognized as a peer-selected Super Lawyer, placing him in the top 5% of attorneys in his field, and has been a longstanding member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
When you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Hempstead, NY, he understands personal injury law and how to take cases through the system.
Results That Matter
Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients in premises liability cases, including multiple six and seven-figure outcomes. We handle every case on contingency, so there are no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Understanding Slip and Fall Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Slip and Fall Cases
If you have a valid premises liability claim in New York, what you can actually recover depends on your injuries, losses, and the facts of your case. But broadly, there are two categories, including economic and non-economic damages. Examples of damages you may receive compensation for include the following:
- Medical bills, including current and future expenses
- Future lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Changes to your daily life and activities
New York uses a pure comparative negligence standard, which means even if you’re found partly at fault for the fall, you can still recover. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it isn’t eliminated entirely.
Important Aspects in Your Slip and Fall Case
No two slip and fall cases are identical, but certain factors come up in almost every situation and shape everything from how the case is built, to what it ultimately resolves for. These factors tend to be decisive when building your case:
- How visible the hazard was, and whether any warning was posted
- How long the condition existed before someone got hurt
- Whether the property owner had any inspection or maintenance protocol in place
- The nature of the injuries and what treatment has been or will be required
- Whether security footage, incident reports, or prior complaints exist and can still be obtained
Slip and Fall Case Timeline
There’s no universal timeline for these cases, because some resolve in months and others take years. What tends to stay consistent is the sequence of steps.
- Investigation. Photos, witness statements, surveillance footage, and any incident documentation get gathered as early as possible.
- Medical evaluation and ongoing treatment. The full extent of your injuries needs to be established. Settling before you understand the long-term picture can be a mistake when you are owed more.
- Demand and negotiation. A demand is submitted to the property owner’s insurer. Often there are rounds of negotiation before any number is reached.
- Litigation. If the case doesn’t settle, a lawsuit gets filed. Discovery follows, with depositions, expert witnesses, and document exchanges. This phase typically runs 12 to 18 months or longer.
- Resolution. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every file as though it’s going to court and a verdict.
What to Bring to Your Slip and Fall Consultation
Bring whatever you have to your consultation. Most people don’t have everything, but we can gather what we may need at a later time. If you have it, take these with you to your appointment:
- Photographs of the scene, the hazard itself, and your injuries
- Any incident or accident report filed at the time of the fall
- Medical records, bills, or discharge paperwork from treatment
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the fall
- Records of missed work or documentation of lost income
New York Legal Resources for Slip and Fall Cases
Understanding the legal framework for your case starts with knowing where to find the laws that apply. Below are resources for slip and fall and premises liability claims in Hempstead and across Nassau County.
- NY CPLR § 214: Personal injury claims in New York, including slip and fall cases, generally must be filed within three years of the injury.
- NY CPLR § 1411: New York applies a pure comparative fault standard. Being partially responsible for a fall doesn’t end a case. It reduces the recovery by whatever percentage of fault is attributed to the injured person.
- NY General Municipal Law § 50-e: When a slip and fall happens on government-owned property, like a public sidewalk, a city building, an MTA station, a formal Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the incident before any lawsuit can proceed.
Reach Out to Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP to Schedule a Consultation
At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we can review what happened during the slip and fall, answer your questions, and help you understand what your case is worth. The consultation is free, and there is no risk or obligation to continue. To learn more about your compensation eligibility and what damages you are owed payment for, reach out to us to reserve your appointment. If you were hurt on someone else’s property in Hempstead or anywhere in Nassau County, contact our team today.
Slip and Fall Statistics in Hempstead
Nationwide, CDC data shows falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, accounting for about 3 million emergency room visits and 1 million hospitalizations each year. New York reflects the same national trend. State health data reports that in 2023, fall injuries caused more than 1,800 deaths, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 182,000 emergency room visits among residents 60 and older. The trend has worsened in recent years. National safety data shows fall-related deaths among older adults have risen by more than 50% over the past decade. Not every fall is a minor stumble. Many produce fractures, brain injuries, and lasting harm that leads to a claim in Hempstead.
What Steps Should I Take After a Slip and Fall?
A fall happens fast, and the hours and days afterward shape the claim as much as the fall itself. What you do next affects both your health and your ability to recover compensation. The steps below protect both.
- Get medical attention. See a doctor even if you feel fine, since some injuries surface days later. Prompt treatment also ties the injury to the fall in your records.
- Report the fall. Tell the property owner, store manager, or landlord, and ask that an incident report be created. Request a copy before you leave if you can.
- Document the scene. Photograph the hazard itself, whether it is a wet floor, ice, or a broken step, before anyone cleans or repairs it. Capture the lighting and the area around it. Photos taken later rarely show what caused the fall.
- Keep what you were wearing. Set aside the shoes and clothing from that day, unwashed. Insurers sometimes argue footwear was to blame.
- Collect witness information. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the fall. Witnesses scatter quickly and are hard to track down later.
- Preserve the evidence. Surveillance footage is often overwritten within days. A prompt written request that it be saved can decide a case, which is one reason proving negligence gets harder as time passes.
- Watch what you say. Report the basic facts, but avoid admitting fault or brushing off the injury. Do not give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurer, whose adjuster tactics are built around paying less.
- Keep your records. Hold onto medical bills, track any missed work, and save every letter or email from an insurer.
- Follow your treatment plan. Gaps or missed appointments are routinely used to argue the injury was not serious.
- Talk to a lawyer. An early review protects the evidence and clarifies whether the property owner is liable. Our overview of slip and fall cases explains what to expect.
You do not need to handle every step perfectly. But these steps preserve what a strong claim depends on, and the sooner they happen, the better the odds.
Hempstead Slip and Fall Lawyer FAQs
How much does a slip and fall lawyer in Hempstead cost?
We take slip and fall cases on contingency. You pay nothing up front and no hourly rate. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The first consultation is free. Our overview of how contingency fees work explains the arrangement in plain terms.
How do I prove the property owner was at fault?
You have to show the owner knew about the dangerous condition, or should have known through reasonable care, and failed to fix it or warn about it. This is what a premises liability claim requires. Evidence like maintenance records, prior complaints, and how long the hazard existed all help establish that knowledge.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Hempstead, NY?
Most New York personal injury claims carry a three-year deadline from the date of the fall. Falls on government property are different. They often require a formal notice of claim within 90 days. Because the statute of limitations and these shorter windows are strict, it is wise to speak with an attorney early.
What if I was partly at fault for the fall?
You can still recover in most cases. New York’s comparative negligence rules reduce a recovery by your share of fault rather than barring it. Property owners often argue that you were distracted or wearing the wrong shoes. How the rule applies to your situation is something we review with you directly.
What is my slip and fall case worth?
It depends on the facts. Value reflects the severity and permanence of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the available insurance. Our discussion of the types of damages explains the categories. We provide a grounded assessment of what the claim is worth.
There was no warning sign. Does that help my case?
It can. The absence of a warning near a known hazard supports the argument that the owner failed to act reasonably. You still have to show the owner knew or should have known about the condition. A missing cone or sign is one piece of that picture, not the whole case.
Do I have a claim if I fell on a public sidewalk?
Possibly. Falls on public property bring in a municipality or county, which changes the deadlines and the parties. Responsibility can fall on the local government or, in some cases, the adjacent property owner. These claims move quickly because of the short notice period, so early action helps.
What if a family member died from a fall?
When a fall is fatal, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. These cases can recover for medical and funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss the family has suffered. We handle them with the care they require.
The insurer offered a settlement. Should I accept it?
Not without a close look. First offers tend to be low and are meant to close the claim before the full injury picture is clear. You are not required to accept, and we can explain what it means to reject a settlement offer and push for more.
Do I really need a lawyer for a slip and fall?
Not every claim requires one. But these cases depend on notice and evidence that disappear fast, and property owners defend them aggressively. A slip and fall attorney in Hempstead can preserve what a claim needs, handle the insurer, and value the case properly.
Local Information for Hempstead Slip and Fall Cases
Most Dangerous Locations for Slip and Falls in Hempstead
Falls can happen anywhere, but some settings in Hempstead produce more of them than others, usually where foot traffic is heavy or maintenance falls behind. A few worth noting:
- The Hempstead Transit Center and nearby bus terminals. Constant foot traffic, stairs, and platforms create steady risk.
- Downtown sidewalks along Main Street and Fulton Avenue. Cracked or uneven pavement and winter ice are common hazards.
- Large shopping centers and their parking lots. Wet entryways, spills, and neglected lots lead to falls year-round.
- Apartment and residential complexes. Unlit stairwells, entryways, and common areas are frequent trouble spots.
- Restaurants and supermarkets. Wet floors without warning and cluttered aisles cause predictable injuries.
These are not the only places falls happen, but they account for a meaningful share of the cases we handle.
What Are Important Local Resources for Hempstead Slip and Fall Cases?
After a fall in Hempstead, a few contacts are worth keeping on hand for reports, records, care, and the claims process.
- Hempstead Police Department: 516-483-6200. The Village of Hempstead’s police can document incidents and prepare reports within village limits.
- Nassau University Medical Center: 516-572-0123. The area’s Level I trauma center, on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, treats many of the most seriously injured patients.
- Nassau County Supreme Court: 516-493-3400. At 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola, this is where civil premises liability lawsuits in Nassau County are filed and heard.
We list these for convenience only. Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP does not endorse and is not affiliated with the organizations above.
About Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
Partner Jeremy Schiowitz has represented injured New Yorkers for over 16 years and was named a Super Lawyer every year from 2014 through 2025. The National Association of Distinguished Counsel recognized him among the Top One Percent, and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys named him one of the 10 Best Attorneys in New York. The attorneys at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP have recovered millions of dollars for premises liability and other injury clients across Nassau County.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I cannot say enough about Jeremy!! His patience, kindness and concern was amazing. His Attention to detail and communication was top notch! I highly recommend him and he deserves 5 stars!”
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Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
A fall on someone else’s property can leave you with medical bills and lost income through no fault of your own. You have the right to seek full compensation. Our Hempstead slip and fall lawyer reviews your case at no cost and explains your options in plain language. We work on contingency, so there are no fees unless we recover for you. You can expect an honest read on your claim, what it may be worth, and the steps ahead. Our office answers calls at any hour. Contact uswhen you are ready, and we will take it from there.
