Shlivko Young LLP, a Manhattan personal injury law firm, has recovered millions of dollars for New Yorkers injured in defective sidewalk, trip-and-fall, slip-and-fall, and other premises liability accidents, according to the firm. Attorneys Sam J. Shlivko and Jesse M. Young have secured published recoveries including $1.5 million and $1 million in sidewalk-related cases, as well as additional premises results of $750,000, $400,000, $300,000, $275,000, and $270,000.
The figures matter beyond the individual clients involved. They illustrate that sidewalk and premises accidents, often dismissed as minor, can produce substantial claims when serious injuries occur. They also signal that New York law recognizes a duty to maintain safe walking surfaces, even though assigning blame is rarely straightforward. Sidewalk and premises accidents can result from cracked or uneven pavement, raised sidewalk slabs, missing or defective covers, ice, and other hazardous conditions. Determining responsibility can be complicated, particularly when property owners, commercial tenants, contractors, or the City may share responsibility for maintaining a location.
That complexity is central to why these cases are significant. New York City sidewalks sit at the intersection of public and private obligations, and a single fall can involve overlapping duties. A property owner may be responsible for repairs, a commercial tenant may control the premises, a contractor may have created or left a hazard, and the City may have had notice of a dangerous condition. Sorting through those roles requires investigating the condition of the property, prior complaints, notice of the hazard, and the party responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Shlivko Young LLP represents individuals injured in these accidents and undertakes that investigative work on behalf of clients. The firm encourages injured pedestrians to document the scene and seek medical attention promptly while preserving evidence that may be relevant to a potential claim. The practical implication is that evidence gathered soon after an accident, such as photographs of the hazardous condition, can later prove decisive in establishing notice and responsibility. The firm also recommends preserving clothing and footwear involved in the accident and consulting with an attorney before providing a recorded statement to an insurance company.
The recoveries also reflect the breadth of the firm's practice. In addition to sidewalk and premises liability matters, Shlivko Young LLP handles construction accidents involving New York Labor Law, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, products liability, and other serious personal injury cases. Sam J. Shlivko has more than a decade of experience practicing personal injury law in New York, while Jesse M. Young has more than 16 years of experience representing injured clients in construction, motor vehicle, and premises liability matters, including cases through discovery, depositions, motions, appeals, and trial.
The firm represents clients on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients generally do not pay attorney fees unless the firm obtains a recovery, and it serves clients in English, Spanish, and Russian. For injured pedestrians, the announcement serves as a reminder that the aftermath of a fall on a New York sidewalk may involve legal rights that are not immediately apparent, and that the question of who is responsible can be as important as the injury itself.
