Premises Liability in New York

The owner or person responsible for maintaining any premise is legally liable for injuries sustained on their property due to negligence. Any person on the property legally can and should expect for the property to be maintained so as to protect their personal safety.

Trip and falls and slip and falls account for the lion’s share of premises liability cases. More than eight million people are treated in emergency rooms every year due to falls, according to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention.

No matter who was responsible for a spill that caused someone to slip and fall, be it an employee or a customer, it is still the responsibility of the property owner to perform clean up and maintenance in a timely fashion and to warn customers of the dangers present. Snow and ice removal from sidewalks constitute another type of slip and fall accident.

Premises liability cases, however, are not limited to incidents caused by falls. Cases involving animal bites and accidental poisoning are common. Elevator accidents account for a large number of premises liability cases inNew York. Although the state does have strict guidelines regarding elevator maintenance and inspection, accidents are not uncommon due to the sheer numbers serving buildings in New York.

Premises liability cases are extremely complicated because the state has unique and evolving regulations. The owners or their insurance company will have legal representation fighting to limit their liability for injuries. You should have an attorney on your side advocating for recovery of medical payments, lost wages and future considerations when a property owner is liable for an accident. If you feel you have cause to sue, hiring an experienced premises liability attorney in New York improves your chances for a favorable outcome.