Who are the best slip and fall lawyers in Rochester, NY?

Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC, with attorneys Robert Friedman and Michael Ranzenhofer, are highly experienced slip and fall lawyers serving Rochester and throughout New York. With over 71 years of firm experience and proven success in premises liability cases, they have secured substantial compensation for clients injured in slip and fall accidents at stores, restaurants, parking lots, sidewalks, and other properties throughout Monroe County and Orleans County.

What do I need to prove in a slip and fall case in New York?

To succeed in a New York slip and fall case, you must prove that the property owner or occupier had a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions, they breached that duty by allowing a dangerous condition to exist, they had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition meaning they knew or should have known about it, the dangerous condition caused your fall and injuries, and you suffered actual damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Property owners can be liable if they created the hazard, knew about it and failed to fix it, or the condition existed for so long that they should have discovered and remedied it through reasonable inspection. Evidence such as photographs, witness statements, incident reports, and maintenance records are crucial to proving these elements.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in New York?

In New York, the statute of limitations for slip and fall cases is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, if your accident occurred on government property such as a city sidewalk, county building, or state facility, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. Failure to meet this 90-day deadline can permanently bar your claim against the government entity. Additionally, some municipalities have prior written notice laws that require them to have documented notice of the specific defect before they can be held liable. Because these deadlines are strict and vary depending on where your accident occurred, it is critical to consult with an attorney immediately after your fall.

What types of slip and fall accidents do you handle?

We handle all types of slip and fall and trip and fall accidents including falls on wet or slippery floors in stores and restaurants, ice and snow accidents on sidewalks and parking lots, uneven pavement and cracked sidewalks, pothole accidents, defective stairs and missing handrails, inadequate lighting causing falls, torn or loose carpeting, spills and leaks that are not cleaned up or marked, elevator and escalator accidents, parking garage falls, construction site accidents, nursing home falls, and falls caused by debris or objects left in walkways. We represent clients injured at supermarkets, retail stores, malls, restaurants, hotels, apartment buildings, offices, government buildings, and all types of commercial and residential properties throughout Rochester and surrounding areas.

Can I sue if I fell on a city sidewalk in Rochester?

Yes, you can sue the City of Rochester or property owner for a sidewalk fall, but these cases have special requirements. In New York, cities and property owners can both have responsibility for sidewalk maintenance. Many municipalities including Rochester have prior written notice laws, which means they can only be held liable if they had documented notice of the specific defect that caused your fall before the accident occurred. However, exceptions exist if the city created the defect through its own work or if the condition was so obvious and long-standing that it should have been discovered through reasonable inspections. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your fall. An experienced attorney can investigate whether prior written notice exists, whether exceptions apply, and whether the adjacent property owner may also be liable under the law.

What damages can I recover in a slip and fall case?

Slip and fall victims can recover compensation for all economic and non-economic damages resulting from their injuries. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses such as emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care, lost wages from time missed from work, loss of future earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your job or reduce your earning potential, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium for your spouse. In cases of severe negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the strength of the liability evidence.

What if the property owner says the hazard was open and obvious?

In New York, the open and obvious doctrine can be a defense but does not automatically defeat your claim. Even if a hazard was visible, property owners still have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Courts consider whether a reasonable person in your situation would have noticed and avoided the hazard. Factors include lighting conditions, weather, distractions, whether you had been to the location before, whether the dangerous condition was camouflaged or blended with surroundings, and whether you had reason to focus your attention elsewhere such as looking at merchandise in a store. Many accidents occur because hazards are not as obvious as they seem in hindsight. An experienced attorney can challenge open and obvious defenses and argue that the property owner should have eliminated the danger or provided adequate warnings regardless of visibility.

What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?

Take these important steps after a slip and fall: Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries manifest later and documented medical treatment is crucial for your claim. Report the accident to the property owner, manager, or person in charge and request that they complete an incident report. Get a copy if possible. Take photographs of the exact location where you fell, the hazardous condition that caused your fall, your injuries, your shoes, lighting conditions, and any relevant warning signs or lack thereof. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw your fall. Preserve the clothing and shoes you were wearing. Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Document how your injuries affect your daily life and work. Contact an experienced slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights, as property owners often quickly repair hazards or claim they had no notice of the condition.

Do I need a lawyer for my slip and fall case in Rochester, NY?

Yes, hiring an experienced slip and fall attorney is strongly recommended. Premises liability cases are often complex and insurance companies routinely deny or minimize these claims. Property owners and their insurers will argue you were at fault, the hazard was obvious, they had no notice of the condition, or your injuries are not as serious as claimed. You need an attorney who understands New York premises liability law, can gather critical evidence before it disappears, hire experts to support your claim, navigate notice of claim requirements if government property is involved, deal with prior written notice defenses, calculate the full value of your damages including future impacts, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies. Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC has the experience and resources to maximize your compensation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Rochester Lawyers / Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Robert Friedman

Michael Ranzenhofer

Justin Friedman

Let Our 71 years of Experience Work For You

Were you or a loved one hurt due to the negligence of someone else? Our experienced Rochester lawyers have been dedicated to serving the Western New York community we know and love. Allow us to help you the same way we’ve been helping our community for decades. We’re here for you. Schedule a FREE consultation

Why Choose Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC Injury Lawyers?

Millions recovered for people like you.

No fee guarantee. We never charge a fee unless there is a recovery for you.

24/7 Availability

Thousands of satisfied clients from across New York State.

Service is our business. You can talk to an attorney anytime on the phone or at a NY location that is convenient for you.

Fully committed to your personal injury case.

Recognized in the legal community by judges and peers as tenacious and ethical litigators.

Free consultation

Why Choose Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC Injury Lawyers?

Millions recovered for people like you.

No fee guarantee. We never charge a fee unless there is a recovery for you.

24/7 Availability

Thousands of satisfied clients from across New York State.

Service is our business. You can talk to an attorney anytime on the phone or at a NY location that is convenient for you.

Fully committed to your personal injury case.

Recognized in the legal community by judges and peers as tenacious and ethical litigators.

Free consultation

Testimonials See why our clients love us. Read more →

Schedule a FREE consultation

Personal Injury Guide eBook

Personal Injury Guide

Download our FREE guide to learn what steps you should be taking after a personal injury.

Completing this form opts you in to receive select communications from Friedman & Ranzenhofer.

Our Experience

Michael Razenhofer has over 41 years trial experience representing the victims of automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, defective products and dog bites. Robert Friedman is a vehicle and traffic prosecutor who successfully prosecuted 1000s of dangerous drivers for 33 years; stopped a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the New York seatbelt law; wrote the “Injury Victims’ Legal Survival Guide” and was the 2003 WNY Prosecutor of the Year. Read Our Free Injury Guide

Our Availability

We are available seven days a week by telephone, text or email. We will meet personally with you at your home, the hospital or at one of our seven local offices.

Free Consultation

We will advise you of your rights at a legal consultation. Our initial conversation costs you nothing even if you choose not to have us represent you.

No Fee Guarantee

You pay no fee unless you win your case.

See what the clients of personal injury attorney Mike Ranzenhofer have to say about him.

Christine Rush via

Mr. Ranzenhofer and his attorneys were great! My case was handled quickly and I got a great result – $300,000. I fell at my doctor’s office, so I knew it was a hard case. Mr. Ranzenhofer developed a strategy that got me a great result. I highly recommend Mr. Ranzenhofer and his team of attorneys.

James Houseman via

I feel I was treated great. Mr. Ranzenhofer responded quickly with call backs and any questions, there were never any doubts of where my case was and he was always reassuring that being patient was the answer. And it was. I want to thank him and his legal team especially with the office personnel always friendly and also quick responses when messages were left. Highly recommended. Thanks for everything

anonymous via

Michael Ranzenhofer was very professional in dealing with my case. He always responded to calls in a timely manner. He was very thorough in handling my case. I would definitely use him again if I needed legal representation, and I would not hesitate to recommend him to others.

anonymous via

I was hit head on in a car accident and had got injured. I contacted Mike Ranzenhofer and he got started the process of getting money for me for my pain and suffering and future medical bills. Every time I called or came to his office he always took his time to help me. And we eventually won the case. He is an amazing lawyer and person himself and I would fully recommend him to anyone. Click here to read more reviews

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers | Injury Attorneys in Rochester, NY

Do you remember the last time you saw someone slip and fall? The location could have been a parking lot or a grocery store. You have probably seen this happen more than once. Slips and fall injuries are no joke. Oftentimes, they result in broken bones and torn ligaments. The injuries get worse if an elderly person is the one who slipped and fell. Frequently, elderly people suffer broken or fractured hips that they will need to get replaced. Of course, the most serious injury is one to the head. Head injuries can cause long lasting and sometimes permanent damage. At Friedman & Ranzenhofer, our dedicated Rochester slip and fall lawyers are ready and willing to help if you have been a victim of an irresponsible slip and fall incident. Read Our Free Injury Guide

Recent Blog Posts

Hurt in a Thanksgiving Travel Accident? What to Do in New York

24
Nov

Why Are Senior Care Nurses Being Sued For Malpractice?

17
Oct

Amazon Sued for $8 Million for Injuries Due to Delivery Quotas

11
Mar

View all blog posts →

Dedicated Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers with Decades of Experience

In New York State, property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property in a way that prevents visitors from being injured. If you or a loved one has been injured because of someone’s negligence in maintaining their premises, then that person or business is responsible for your injuries. If we are able to prove the four elements shown above, then the owner of the property is to blame for your injuries, and you deserve to be compensated.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured from a slip and fall, contact one of our dedicated Rochester slip and fall lawyers to schedule a free confidential consultation. Our attorneys would be happy to discuss your injuries and legal options. Don’t settle for less, let our experience work for you. Follow us on Facebook

Client Reviews

“Friedman & Ranzenhofer provided prompt, courteous and professional assistance regarding a current legal issue. We have used the services of this firm repeatedly because of their consistent high quality service levels.” – Ed Berowski

Read More Reviews

Call For A Legal Consultation

(585) 484-7432

Free Case Evaluation

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Free Case Evaluation

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Rochester Slip and Fall Lawyers

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Rochester, New York

Free Case Evaluation

Robert Friedman

Michael Ranzenhofer

Justin Friedman

Let Our 71 years of Experience Work For You

Why Choose Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC Injury Lawyers?