Unveiled in 1904, the New York City subway system is one of the world's oldest and most frequently used public transit systems. Additionally, it has the most subway stations out of any other, both nationally and internationally. The New York Metro has 472 stations. These connect Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. While these stops are managed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), there are so many that adequately maintaining stations can be difficult. As a result, poor maintenance in neglected stations can create many risks for slips and falls in the subway system. Call our personal injury lawyers if you were injured in a slip or fall on the subway.
Slips and Falls on the New York Subway
Of these risks, slipping and falling in a subway station is perhaps one of the most frightening. According to a 2016 report from the MTA, there were 168 incidents involving contact with trains. In those accidents, 48 people were killed. In poorly maintained subway stations, travelers are not only at risk for injury if they slip and fall -- they are in danger of being killed.Some of the most common hazards in poorly maintained New York subway stations include:
- Cracked or uneven flooring - All property managers are responsible for properly maintaining their facilities. This is especially true if that facility is meant for public access. You may be entitled to financial compensation if you sustain injuries from slipping and falling on old, cracked, or uneven flooring because of a negligent property owner.
- Insufficient lighting - Proper lighting is crucial to walk through an underground metro safely. Property managers could be liable for negligence in a slip-and-fall incident if the lighting in a station is too dim for travelers to recognize hazards that should be obvious in a well-lit area.
- Debris or walkway obstructions - All too often, walkway obstructions such as cleaning supplies, boxes, crates, or tools are left out in the open. Property owners could be liable for negligence if these obstructions contribute to a slip-and-fall accident.
- Lack of railing on stairways - In older subway stations, stairway railing may have worn or broken off. It is up to the property owner to ensure that all stairways are properly maintained with railings for safety.
- Wet or slick flooring - There are several reasons why flooring in subway stations may be slippery. Rain or mud could be tracked in from outside. A pipe could burst, and the roof may leak. Or the flooring could have been freshly mopped. Whatever the reason, the hazard should be labeled for travelers to see.
- Unmarked construction hazards - If a subway station is undergoing construction or renovation, the property manager must make sure that all hazards are clearly marked and made obvious to travelers.