Were you injured on someone else’s property in Brooklyn? You could be entitled to compensation. A lawyer from David Resnick & Associates, P.C., can help you understand your legal options and pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Our firm has years of dedicated practice in premises liability law and has successfully represented many clients throughout New York. We invest significant resources into each case, using cutting-edge technology, expert witnesses, and investigative techniques to build strong, evidence-based arguments. Contact our team today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you move forward.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that refers to a property owner’s responsibility for someone getting hurt due to unsafe conditions on their property. If a hazardous property condition exists and the owner fails to fix it or warn visitors, they might be liable for resulting injuries. Common dangerous property conditions include wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, or unsecured objects. These property hazards can lead to slip-and-falls, violent assaults, and other harmful incidents. Some injured visitors can seek compensation for injuries they suffer on unsafe premises.
What Are Some Examples of a Brooklyn Premises Liability Accident?
Premises liability accidents can happen in many ways. Common examples include slipping on an unmarked wet floor in a grocery store, tripping over cracked pavement outside a business, or falling due to a broken handrail in an apartment stairwell. Visitors can also suffer injuries from falling objects, inadequate security leading to assaults, and electrical hazards. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, but injured visitors can recover financially by taking legal action. For instance, our law firm obtained a $1.6 million settlement for one client with a slip-and-fall injury.
What Are Common Premises Liability Accident Injuries?
If property owners fail to keep their spaces safe, visitors can get seriously hurt. The following are some common injuries that arise in premises liability cases:
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocations
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Electrocution injuries
- Face and eye injuries
- Dental injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Puncture wounds
- Psychological trauma.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries from a Brooklyn Premises Liability Accident?
Property owners, landlords, business operators, and even tenants can be held liable for unsafe property conditions that lead to visitor injuries. Liability in these cases depends on who controlled the property and whether they were negligent in maintaining it. For instance, if a store owner ignores a floor spill that causes a slip-and-fall, they might be responsible. Similarly, a landlord who fails to fix a broken stairway could be held accountable for tenant injuries. In some cases, even event organizers or maintenance companies might share liability.
What Are the Three Types of Visitors to a Property?
Property visitors fall into three legal categories in premises liability cases:
- Invitees — Visitors who enter for business purposes, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe to invitees the highest duty of care. They must inspect their premises regularly, fix dangerous defects, and provide warnings of known hazards to keep them safe.
- Licensees — Visitors who enter the property with permission but for non-business reasons, like social guests. Owners must keep their premises reasonably safe for these visitors and warn them of known dangers but are not responsible for regularly inspecting their properties to keep them safe.
- Trespassers — Visitors who enter a property without permission. Property owners are generally not responsible for keeping trespassers safe but cannot intentionally harm them.
Property owner liability in premises liability cases depends on the visitor’s status. David Resnick & Associates, P.C., helped one client recover $1 million for preventable slip-and-fall injuries.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property in Brooklyn?
Here are some steps you should take if you were injured on someone else’s property in Brooklyn:
- Seek medical attention immediately — You should seek medical assistance even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the incident — You should report it to the property owner or manager and ask for a copy of the written report.
- Take photos or videos — Try to take pictures or videos of the hazard that caused your injury, such as a wet floor or broken step, and of your injuries.
- Get contact information from witnesses — They can describe what they saw happen.
- Consult a premises liability lawyer — A lawyer will help you gather evidence and pursue compensation.
Can I Receive Compensation for My Premises Liability Injuries?
You could be entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. This compensation could include payment for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The amount you can recover depends on factors like injury severity and the property owner’s insurance coverage. Evidence like medical records, witness statements, and accident scene photos can strengthen your case. A premises liability lawyer can help you determine the value of your claim and negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
How Long Do You Have to File a Brooklyn Premises Liability Claim?
In most cases, New York law gives you three years to file a premises liability lawsuit from the accident date. However, certain factors could decrease or lengthen this filing window. If you miss the filing deadline that applies to your case, you could lose your right to seek compensation. That’s why acting quickly and speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after a premises liability accident is essential. Your attorney will need time to gather evidence and build a strong case before time is up.
Contact a Brooklyn Premises Liability Lawyer
Since our firm’s founding in 1998, David Resnick & Associates, P.C., has recovered over $180 million in verdicts and settlements for clients throughout New York City and Long Island. Attorney David Resnick can personally answer your questions and even visit you at home if you prefer to speak face-to-face. Contact David and his team today for a free consultation if you need legal guidance after a premises liability accident.