Experienced Premises Liability Attorneys Serving New York
When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, innocent people get hurt. Our experienced premises liability attorneys understand the complex laws governing property safety and fight aggressively to hold negligent property owners accountable for your injuries.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions on their property. When they fail to do so and someone gets injured as a result, the property owner may be liable for damages.
Duty of Care
Property owners owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions
Breach of Duty
Failure to address known hazards or inspect for dangerous conditions
Resulting Injury
The hazardous condition must be the direct cause of your injury
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Slip and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and debris can cause serious slip and fall injuries.
- • Wet or slippery floors
- • Uneven sidewalks or walkways
- • Poor lighting conditions
- • Debris and obstacles
Structural Defects
Broken railings, defective stairs, and structural failures can cause devastating injuries.
- • Broken or missing handrails
- • Defective staircases
- • Ceiling or roof collapses
- • Balcony or deck failures
Maintenance Issues
Poor maintenance of elevators, escalators, and building systems can lead to serious accidents.
- • Elevator malfunctions
- • Escalator accidents
- • Heating system failures
- • Plumbing leaks
Inadequate Security
Property owners may be liable for injuries caused by criminal acts if security was inadequate.
- • Assault and battery
- • Robbery and theft
- • Poor lighting in parking areas
- • Broken security systems
Swimming Pool Accidents
Pool owners must maintain safe conditions and proper barriers to prevent drowning and injuries.
- • Drowning incidents
- • Slip and falls around pools
- • Defective pool equipment
- • Inadequate fencing
Fire and Explosion
Property owners must maintain proper fire safety systems and gas line maintenance.
- • Gas line explosions
- • Electrical fires
- • Defective smoke detectors
- • Blocked emergency exits
Where Premises Liability Accidents Occur
Premises liability accidents can happen anywhere there is a property owner with a duty to maintain safe conditions. Different types of properties have different standards of care.
Commercial Properties
- • Retail stores and shopping centers
- • Restaurants and bars
- • Hotels and motels
- • Office buildings
- • Parking lots and garages
- • Entertainment venues
Other Properties
- • Private residences
- • Apartment buildings
- • Schools and universities
- • Government buildings
- • Parks and recreational facilities
- • Construction sites
Your Legal Status Matters
Invitee
You were invited onto the property for the owner's benefit (customers, clients)
Highest Duty of Care
- • Regular inspections required
- • Warning of known dangers
- • Repair of hazardous conditions
- • Reasonable care to ensure safety
Licensee
You had permission to be on the property for your own benefit (social guests)
Moderate Duty of Care
- • Warning of known hidden dangers
- • No duty to inspect
- • Cannot create new hazards
- • Basic safety maintenance
Trespasser
You were on the property without permission (limited exceptions for children)
Minimal Duty of Care
- • Cannot intentionally harm
- • Warning of known deadly conditions
- • Special rules for child trespassers
- • Attractive nuisance doctrine
Proving Your Premises Liability Case
Successfully proving a premises liability case requires demonstrating that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn about it.
Evidence Collection
- • Photographs of the accident scene
- • Witness statements and contact information
- • Incident reports and maintenance records
- • Weather conditions and surveillance footage
- • Medical documentation of your injuries
Expert Investigation
- • Accident reconstruction specialists
- • Building code and safety experts
- • Engineering consultants
- • Property management specialists
- • Medical experts for injury documentation
Compensation for Your Premises Liability Injuries
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Property damage and replacement costs
- Home modifications for disabilities
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium and companionship
Act Quickly - Time Limits Apply
New York has strict deadlines for filing premises liability claims. Acting quickly also helps preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.
Personal Injury Claims
Deadline to file most premises liability lawsuits in New York
Notice to Government
Special notice requirements for claims against government entities
Evidence Preservation
Video footage, witness memories, and physical evidence deteriorate quickly
