Onondaga, NY Slip and Fall Attorneys

Fell in Onondaga? Don’t Just Brush It Off

One misstep. That’s all it takes. Whether it’s black ice in a parking lot on South Salina Street or a broken stair at your apartment, one fall can change everything. The pain. The medical bills. The missed work. And the worst part? Most of these falls were entirely preventable.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our slip and fall attorneys help injured people across Onondaga County hold property owners accountable for dangerous conditions. We dig deep into why your fall happened and who should have stopped it. If someone else’s carelessness knocked you down, it’s time to stand up, with a legal team that won’t let your story get dismissed or devalued.

These Conditions Around Onondaga Are Setting People Up to Fall

You don’t need to be clumsy to fall. In fact, most of our clients were just going about their day, shopping, walking to work, visiting friends, when a hazard caught them off guard. The truth is, Onondaga has more than its share of risky spots that property owners fail to maintain.

Black Ice in Parking Lots

Every winter, we see it again and again. Parking lots around grocery stores, strip malls, and apartment complexes become slick with black ice—completely invisible until you’re on the ground. Property owners are required under New York Administrative Code § 16-123 to remove ice and snow within a reasonable time after storms. Yet many ignore it.

We’ve helped clients who slipped outside early in the morning, before a single grain of salt had been laid down. These cases are serious, and so are the injuries.

Failing Stair Railings

Old buildings. Uninspected stairs. Handrails that are loose, missing, or just decorative. In Onondaga’s aging apartment complexes and multi-use buildings, this is more than just poor maintenance, it’s dangerous. Under New York Multiple Dwelling Law § 78, landlords are legally obligated to maintain safe stairways, including functional railings.

When those safety measures fail, the fall often causes more than bruises. Broken wrists, concussions, and spinal injuries are all common in these types of cases.

What You Do Right After Matters More Than You Think

In the moments after a fall, your body and mind are in shock. But even simple steps you take, or don’t take, can shape the outcome of your injury claim. That’s why we guide our clients from day one.

First, get medical attention. Even if you’re able to stand or walk, that doesn’t mean you’re okay. Concussions, internal bruising, and ligament injuries can take hours to fully show. Seeing a doctor not only protects your health, it creates a record of your injuries tied directly to the fall.

Second, notify the property owner, manager, or municipal office. If you slipped at a store, talk to the supervisor and ask them to file an incident report. If it happened in a rental building, contact the landlord. And if it was public property, like a sidewalk or bus stop maintained by the town, you’ll need to act fast. New York General Municipal Law § 50-e gives you just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against a government agency.

Third, document everything. Take photos. Ask witnesses for contact info. Write down exactly what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind. Don’t rely on memory alone—because evidence disappears, and stories get questioned.

The Legal Rules Around Property Owner Responsibility in New York

New York State’s premises liability law requires property owners to keep their spaces reasonably safe. That doesn’t mean every surface must be perfect—but it does mean owners must fix known hazards or warn visitors about them.

If they don’t? They can be held liable for resulting injuries. This applies to commercial businesses, landlords, and even government entities. Under New York Real Property Law § 235-b, landlords are required to ensure rental units and common areas are “fit for human habitation,” which includes keeping walkways, stairs, and shared spaces safe.

To win a slip and fall case in New York, we must show that the owner had either:

• Actual notice: They knew about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it.
• Constructive notice: The hazard existed long enough that they should have known about it.

We also use expert testimony, surveillance footage, and maintenance records to prove they had a legal duty, and failed to meet it.

Who You Can Hold Accountable in a Fall Injury Case

Determining liability isn’t always straightforward. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to make sure the right party—or parties—are named in your claim.

If your fall happened at a business, like a grocery store or office plaza, then the business owner or property management company is likely responsible. They’re required to maintain safe premises for customers and guests, and their insurance typically covers these types of injuries.

In apartment complexes or rental homes, landlords can be held liable under New York Multiple Dwelling Law § 78 if they fail to maintain common areas. This includes staircases, sidewalks, and building entryways.

Public sidewalks, parks, or other municipal areas may fall under the Town of Onondaga or Onondaga County. Claims against these entities must be filed within 90 days and follow very specific steps.

And in some cases, third-party contractors—like snow removal companies—can be held accountable if their negligence contributed to the fall.

Evidence You Need Before It Disappears

The strongest cases we build always start with solid evidence. But time isn’t on your side. Ice melts. Floors get mopped. Videos get deleted. Here’s what we focus on collecting fast:

• Photos or video of the hazard at the time of your fall (or immediately after)
• Witness statements or contact information
• Maintenance records or inspection logs, if available

We also obtain your medical records, incident reports, and weather data for the date and time of the fall. Every detail matters, and the sooner we can begin, the more we can preserve.

If you were unable to take pictures or speak to witnesses at the time, don’t worry. Our team is trained to track down what you missed. We file preservation letters to secure surveillance footage and investigate the history of complaints or prior injuries at the location.

Horn Wright, LLP, Has Onondaga Experience You Can Count On

We’ve helped injury victims across Onondaga County, people who were hurt at local shops, bus stops, apartment buildings, and even government offices. We know the area. We know how these falls happen. And we know how local courts view these cases.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our slip and fall attorneys don’t take shortcuts. We build every case around your unique story, what happened, how you’ve suffered, and what you need to move forward. We work with medical experts, safety consultants, and investigators to show the full picture of what you’ve endured.

We push for maximum compensation, medical bills, lost income, long-term care, and pain and suffering. Whether your case is settled or goes to trial, we’ll be by your side from start to finish.

There’s a reason Horn Wright, LLP, was recognized nationally for its leadership in personal injury law. Read more about how we earned that honor, and see what that level of commitment looks like right here in Onondaga.

Call us at (855) 465‑4622 today. If your fall wasn’t your fault, your recovery shouldn’t be your burden.