From the Met to the MOMA and the American Museum of Natural History, New York City is home to some of the most famous museums in the world. Although no one expects an excursion to one of these well-known locations to result in injury, slip and fall accidents are not uncommon occurrences. If you were hurt in a slip and fall at a museum, you may be wondering who is responsible. Importantly, there are several parties who may be held liable for your damages in a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Liability for Slips and Falls at Museums
There can be many causes of slips and falls at museums. Poor lighting, freshly mopped or waxed floors, uneven flooring, lack of handrails, and damaged steps in staircases can all cause visitors to lose their footing and incur severe injuries. Determining liability for these types of accidents can be complex and requires a thorough investigation.
Based on the facts surrounding the accident, the following parties may be held liable for a museum slip and fall accident:
- The property owner — A museum property owner has a legal duty to ensure a safe environment for visitors. If they knew or should have known about a dangerous condition that could cause a slip and fall, they could be held liable for negligence if they failed to remedy it in a timely manner. An owner may also be responsible for a slip and fall if they fail to warn about a known hazard by roping off an area or placing a warning sign.
- Museum management—Museum management responsible for maintaining the premises in a safe condition may be held liable for negligence if they fail to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition. Management must take steps to ensure the premises are safe and promptly repair any hazards.
- A cleaning company — A cleaning company may be held accountable for a museum slip and fall accident if they were negligent in their cleaning procedures or knew of a hazardous condition and failed to remedy or repair it.
- A third-party contractor or vendor—At many museums, third-party vendors operate cafes or restaurants on the premises. If the injury was caused by a spilled beverage or food left on the floor, the vendor may be responsible if they failed to clean the spill within a reasonable amount of time.
If the museum is owned by the City of New York or another government entity, that party may also be named in a personal injury lawsuit. It’s important to understand that there are different rules and procedures that must be followed to file a lawsuit. Notably, an accident victim only has 90 days to file a Notice of Claim in these cases — and one year and 90 days to bring a lawsuit. This is a much shorter statute of limitations than the three-year deadline imposed in most personal injury actions.
Compensation for Museum Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall at a museum can cause a victim to sustain serious and debilitating injuries, such as broken bones, sprains, strains, hip fractures, traumatic brain injury, nerve damage, paralysis, and disfigurement. In these cases, extensive medical treatment and ongoing physical therapy may be needed to help a victim recover. A slip and fall victim may also incur out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the accident and lose time from work as they recover.
By filing a personal injury lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable for the negligence that caused the slip and fall accident, the following economic and non-economic damages may be recovered:
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
It’s vital to ensure a museum slip and fall case is carefully documented, with evidence to support the damages incurred. Medical records, photographs, video footage, witness testimony, maintenance logs, and any incident reports filed can be crucial to demonstrate negligence. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to evaluate a case and obtain the evidence necessary to establish the full extent of a victim’s damages.
Contact a Knowledgeable New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident at a museum caused by the negligence of another, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the losses you suffered in a personal injury action. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can protect your rights and fight for the monetary recovery you deserve. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., has represented victims of negligence for over three decades and strives to obtain the best possible results in every case. Contact us today for a consultation.