Sidewalk Injuries

Our lawyers have solely handled personal injury claims since 1976

Property owners and municipalities have a duty to keep the sidewalks of Ridgewood, Hackensack, Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Garfield, Fort Lee, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth and Clifton in good repair. When failure to do so results in pedestrian injuries, they can be held liable for their breach of this important duty.

Seigel Law was established in 1976 and exclusively handles personal injury litigation. Because we solely practice in this one area of law, our attorneys are able to devote our vast experience and substantial resources to reaching the best possible outcomes in challenging catastrophic injury cases. Our dedicated legal team is available to assist you with getting the compensation you deserve.

Sidewalk accidents along New Jersey’s roadways

The entity responsible for sidewalk repair depends on the location and zoning. For example, shopping malls and supermarkets are often liable for injuries that occur on adjacent walkways, whereas the city should be held accountable for accidents that happen on sidewalks that abut roadways and municipal buildings.

However, the duty is the same. The business or department tasked with sidewalk upkeep has a duty to repair hazardous conditions and to warn pedestrians of potential dangers, such as:

  • Cracked or uneven pavement
  • Tree limbs growing underneath the sidewalks
  • Slippery ice
  • Snow accumulation
  • Oil or other slick substances
  • Construction debris
  • Collapsing construction scaffolding
  • Fallen objects
  • Dim lighting
  • Overgrown bushes that create security risks

Sidewalks are for everyone. Property owners and cities, therefore, have the duty to remove objects that perilously impede passage of wheelchairs or strollers or that put hearing or sight-impaired individuals at risk.

Filing a lawsuit against the city

Many sidewalk accident claims name the city as a defendant. Filing a claim against Ridgewood, Hackensack, Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Garfield, Fort Lee, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth or Clifton involves different procedures than suing a private citizen or business. Our attorneys are familiar with the special process and take decisive actions to preserve your claim against the negligent government department that caused your accident.

Learn more about holding the negligent property owner responsible for your sidewalk accident

Seigel Law solely practices personal injury recovery for clients located throughout northern New Jersey. Call us at 201-444-4000 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary initial consultation at our Ridgewood office or at your home or the hospital if your injuries prevent you from coming to us. Your claim is handled with a contingency arrangement, so you do not owe us attorney fees unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.