Slip and Fall on a NYC Sidewalk: Who Is Liable?

Section 7-210 Shifts Responsibility

Under New York City Administrative Code §7-210, the duty to maintain most sidewalks — and liability for failing to do so — generally falls on the owner of the adjacent property, not the city. Owners of one-, two-, and three-family owner-occupied homes are an important exception.

When the City May Be Liable

For exempt properties, or where the city itself created the defect, the city may bear responsibility — but only if it had prior written notice of the condition, often documented through the 'Big Apple' pothole map. These claims carry a 90-day Notice of Claim deadline.

Proving Your Case

Photographs of the defect, measurements, and evidence of how long the hazard existed all matter. Because liability depends on who controlled the sidewalk, identifying the right defendant early is essential.