Governed by General Municipal Law § 50-e, the Notice of Claim is the mandatory first step in nearly every lawsuit against the City, including sidewalk falls where the City remains responsible. Missing the 90-day window can permanently bar the claim unless a court grants rare permission to file late. The notice is filed with the NYC Comptroller's Office, which may then investigate, demand a hearing, or offer settlement. Property owners should also know this deadline exists on the other side: an injured pedestrian pursuing the City moves fast, and records of your sidewalk's condition may be requested early.
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