New York City Department Store Accident Lawyers

Shopping in New York City should be safe, but department stores, supermarkets, and big-box retailers are common sites of serious accidents. A wet floor in Manhattan, falling merchandise in Brooklyn, or an uneven aisle in the Bronx can cause life-changing injuries that leave victims facing steep medical bills and lost wages.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City department store accident lawyers fight for injured shoppers across all five boroughs. We hold negligent store owners, landlords, and contractors accountable under New York premises liability law, helping you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

Common Department Store Accidents in New York City

Retail and department stores like Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and local supermarkets see thousands of customers every day. When safety is neglected, preventable accidents occur. The most common hazards in New York City stores include:

• Slip and fall accidents from spills, leaks, cleaning, snow, or ice tracked inside
• Tripping hazards such as loose rugs, uneven flooring, cluttered aisles, or exposed cords
• Falling merchandise from overloaded or unstable shelves and displays
• Escalator and elevator accidents due to poor maintenance or defective equipment
• Blocked aisles and stocking hazards, including boxes, ladders, or pallets left in walkways
• Lighting and entry hazards in dim parking lots, sidewalks, or stairwells
• Crowd-control failures during sales or events leading to trampling or crush injuries
• Inadequate security causing robberies or assaults in or around the store

Injuries From Department Store Accidents

A single accident in a retail store can cause serious harm requiring long-term medical care. Our New York premises liability lawyers frequently handle cases involving:

• Broken bones and hip or wrist fractures
• Head trauma, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
• Torn ligaments, sprains, and soft tissue damage
• Cuts, lacerations, and facial or dental injuries
• Crush injuries from overcrowding or falling displays
• Wrongful death in the most tragic cases

Liability Under New York Premises Liability Law

Under New York law, customers are considered “invitees.” Store owners and operators must maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Liability may extend to:

• Store managers/operators who fail to inspect or repair hazards
• Property owners/landlords are responsible for structural defects (broken steps, leaks)
• Maintenance and cleaning contractors who create or ignore unsafe conditions
• Product or equipment manufacturers if defective shelving, escalators, or elevators cause injuries

To recover compensation, an injured shopper must generally prove:

1. A dangerous condition existed.
2. The store knew – or should have known – about it (actual or constructive notice).
3. The hazard was not corrected or warned against.
4. The unsafe condition directly caused the accident.
5. The victim suffered damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.).

Defenses You May Face

Big-box retailers and their insurers often argue:

• The hazard was “open and obvious” or “trivial.”
• They lacked notice of the dangerous condition.
• A “storm in progress” excused their duty to clear ice or snow.
• The shopper was partly at fault (comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411).

Our New York department store accident attorneys counter these defenses with inspection records, surveillance footage, and expert testimony.

What to Do After a Department Store Accident in NYC

Protect your health and your case by taking these steps immediately:

1. Report the accident to store management and request a written incident report.
2. Call 911 so police and EMTs can document your injuries.
3. Photograph the hazard, the surrounding area, and your injuries.
4. Collect names and contact information of witnesses.
5. Save evidence such as clothing, shoes, and receipts.
6. Seek prompt medical treatment – even if injuries seem minor.
7. Avoid giving statements to the store’s insurance company.
8. Contact a New York City premises liability lawyer right away to preserve surveillance footage and sweep logs.

Statute of Limitations in New York

Time limits for filing claims are strict:

• General negligence claims: Three years from the accident date (CPLR § 214).
• Municipal property claims: A Notice of Claim must usually be filed within 90 days, and the lawsuit deadline is shorter.

Acting quickly ensures critical evidence is preserved and your rights are protected.

Compensation Available in New York Store Accident Claims

Our New York City retail accident lawyers help victims pursue damages for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages (where applicable)

Why Hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

Department stores and their insurers move fast to deny or reduce payouts. At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we move faster. Our firm is built on aggressive representation, rapid evidence preservation, and relentless advocacy.

• Local offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
• No Fee Unless We Win – Our Fee Guarantee
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews
• Top-rated New York accident lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers

Contact a New York City Department Store Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a department store, supermarket, or retail store in New York City – including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island – don’t wait. Evidence can disappear quickly, and deadlines under New York premises liability law are strict.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today for a free consultation with a New York City department store accident attorney.
You don’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

Don’t be a victim twice – call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP today to protect your rights.