Who is Liable if I Slip and Fall in The Subway?

Posted by Blake On Dec 28, 2021

New York City has one of the biggest subway systems in the world and biggest in the United States. Millions of people use the subway everyday to move around the city. In a system so big and busy, it is inevitable that accidents occur. One of the most common incidents in subways are slip and falls accidents. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) may or may not be held accountable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances of the accident. If the MTA could have avoided your damage by doing what they were required to do, they could be held liable for your accident. You must keep in mind that if you decide to initiate a lawsuit against the MTA, you should get legal advice from an experienced lawyer because it will not be an easy task.

Common Causes of NYC Subway Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to a variety of causes. Here are some of the most common:

Poor illumination: The subway system in New York is primarily underground. As a result, subway stations do not receive natural light and must rely primarily on electrical lighting. It is not unusual to see lightbulbs that are not working in the subway system due to the enormous number of stations. However, the lack of proper illumination can cause someone to trip with an obstacle they were not able to see leading to a slip and fall accident.

Slippery floors: Slippery floors are very dangerous, especially in very crowded areas or where people usually walk fast, like subway stations. Slippery floors may be caused by the rain, a leak or simply the floor was recently mopped and it is still wet. Regardless of the cause, slippery floors have to be properly marked or blocked in order to prevent people from walking on them and potentially getting injured.

Ice or snow: During winter, the MTA has to be especially careful with snow and ice. When the steps that lead to the station are covered in snow or ice, it is very likely that someone may slip and fall. These kinds of accidents can result in very serious injuries. The authorities must ensure that snow and ice are regularly removed during winter time.

Cracked or uneven flooring: When the floor or steps are fractured or have bulges that make the surface uneven, the danger of a slip and fall accident increases. These surface abnormalities must be identified or covered with something to prevent people from walking over them.

Damaged or absent handrails: Handrails are essential for maintaining balance when traveling down or up stairs. If the handrails are not correctly attached to the wall, someone may lose their balance and fall. Furthermore, in certain cases, the railing may not be present at all, posing a significant risk to persons with coordination issues or the elderly.

Defective repairs: Subway stations are always being repaired or upgraded. The majority of repairs and modifications to the stations are performed by specialists who usually do an excellent job. However, it is possible that a repair will be defective or it was not tested before allowing people to have access to the area, causing someone to fall and sustain a fall injury.