Slip-and-Fall Injury Claims against Restaurants and Bars
When it comes to maintaining a bar or a restaurant in the Big Apple, owners and bartenders definitely have their hands full. With the hundreds of thousands of people passing through this metropolitan jungle every day, handling a cluster of rambunctious customers hour after hour can lead to some distractions.
In some cases, the owners of bars and restaurants might forget to maintain sidewalks and other parts of their property, which can lead to disastrous consequences for the public. Ultimately, one little slip on a broken sidewalk or a loose doorframe can result in moderate to severe injuries.
Still, does this mean you can sue restaurants and bars for your slip-and-fall injuries even if poorly-maintained property wasn’t a factor? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Come One, Come All in New York City
Overall, restaurants, pubs, bars, and similar establishments are open to members of the public at any time within their set schedule. Subsequently (and obviously), restaurant and bar owners expect people to visit, and the visitors expect a safe and sturdy place to eat, drink, and entertain themselves. Also, keep in mind that many bars do not offer sitting arrangements, meaning that all visitors have to stand in small and large clusters, which can lead to some potential trouble, given the environment.
Regardless of the location, all owners of businesses must make sure their customers interact in a safe environment and are required to clean up debris and make appropriate repairs to ensure no one suffers from severe injuries.
A Means of Security for Customers
In keeping with upholding customer safety, bar and restaurant owners must also be prepared for incidences that can lead to slip-and-fall accidents. In areas where alcohol is served, fights and brawls are always a possibility, making this environment particularly hazardous during specials and happy hour. For more information on bar security in New York, please review Nightlife Establishment security rules, written in coordination with the New York Police Department.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents Resulting from Intoxication
On that note, one question still needs to be answered: can I sue the owners of a bar or restaurant because I slipped and fell after I became intoxicated?
One factor that comes into play during a premises liability case like this is comparative negligence, a collective of laws that govern the level of responsibility in a case. In the case of New York (and 12 other states), legal officials adhere to pure comparative negligence, in which a person can still receive compensation if he/she was 99% at fault.
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Everything from a simple stroll to a casual run across a city sidewalk can bring you so much joy, but, in the blink of an eye, just a simple journey by foot can quickly take a turn for the worst. Due to the negligence of building superintendents, school administrators, city maintenance workers, and other people who work to ensure the safety of the public, a slip-and-fall across a crack or dip which you didn’t see coming can inflict moderate-to-serious wounds.
Although this might be difficult, though, you must remain calm. With the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can gather viable resources to create a strong case in court.
Here at Gattuso & Ciotoli, our combined 50 years of legal experience overlays some of the most high-quality legal services to accident victims who live in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve, every step of the way. For more information on our four practice areas or details about a claim, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.