New Yorkers walk everywhere. To the subway. To school drop-off. To the corner coffee shop. To dinner. In a city built for pedestrians, a sidewalk shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course.

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But anyone who’s spent time on NYC blocks knows the truth: cracked slabs, raised edges, missing chunks of concrete, and sloppy patch jobs can turn a normal day into a painful fall in seconds.

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Sidewalk safety isn’t optional for property owners

Under New York City’s Administrative Code, property owners are generally required to maintain the sidewalk adjacent to their property in a reasonably safe condition. When they fail to do that and someone gets hurt, they may be held responsible for the injuries that result.

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What makes a sidewalk “dangerous”? 

Sidewalk hazards come in a lot of forms, including:

• Uneven pavement or raised sidewalk flags

• Cracks, holes, or broken concrete

• Loose or shifting slabs

• Missing pieces of sidewalk (or exposed edges)

• Temporary patches that sink, crumble, or create a lip

• Work sites where contractors open the sidewalk and don’t restore it properly

These conditions can be especially dangerous for older adults, people with mobility limitations, and anyone carrying bags, pushing a stroller, or simply walking in a crowded area.

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The injuries can be far more serious than people expect

A trip-and-fall is often dismissed as “just a fall,” but the injuries can be life-changing, such as:

• Fractures (wrist, ankle, hip, ribs)

• Torn ligaments and soft-tissue damage

• Knee and shoulder injuries

• Back and neck injuries

• Head trauma and concussions

And beyond the pain: missed work, medical bills, physical therapy, and the frustration of losing independence—especially after a major fracture.

 

What you do right after a sidewalk fall matters

If you were hurt on a dangerous sidewalk, taking quick steps can protect both your health and your potential claim:

• Get medical attention right away (even if symptoms feel “minor”)

• Take photos/video of the exact defect and the surrounding area

• Get the address or nearest cross street

• Ask for names/contact info of any witnesses

• Save the shoes/clothes you were wearing

• Avoid giving recorded statements before getting legal guidance

Sidewalk defects can be repaired fast—sometimes within days—so evidence can disappear quickly.

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How Kramer, Dunleavy & Ratchik, PLLC can help 

If you were injured after tripping and falling due to a dangerous sidewalk condition, our attorneys can move quickly to help protect your rights and preserve critical evidence. We’ll investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible (property owner, contractor, or another party), and handle communications so you can focus on recovery. 

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