Injured on Someone Else’s Property in New York? Hach & Rose, LLP Will Fight for Your Rights — We’ll Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve.
Premises Liability Accidents: Understanding Your Rights and Protections in New York
Every year, thousands of people suffer injuries due to hazardous conditions on property they do not own or control. Whether at a private residence, business, school, or public space, New Yorkers have a right to expect a safe environment. When property owners or managers neglect this responsibility, accidents happen, often with serious, life-altering consequences.
At Hach & Rose, LLP, our legal team brings over 100 years of combined experience protecting those harmed by dangerous properties in New York City and throughout the state. We understand the complexities of premises liability law and fight tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a premises liability accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We invite you to schedule a free consultation at (646) 971-9333 to discuss your case with our dedicated New York premises liability attorneys.
Contact Hach & Rose Today for a Free Consultation
- Premises Liability Accidents: Understanding Your Rights and Protections in New York
- Contact Hach & Rose Today for a Free Consultation
- Why Hire Hach & Rose as Your Premises Liability Lawyers?
- What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident in New York
- Most Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents in New York
- What Types of Injuries and Damages Can I Request in a Premises Liability Claim in NY?
- How Does Hach & Rose, LLP Investigate Your Case?
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Injuries?
- How to File a Premises Liability Claim in New York: Your Legal Pathway
- Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability in New York
- Take the First Step Toward Justice Today with Hach & Rose, LLP
- Slip and Falls Can Lead To Serious Injuries
Why Hire Hach & Rose as Your Premises Liability Lawyers?
With all the law firms in our state, you need a way to decide which law firm would be the best to protect your rights after a fall or other accident on someone else’s property. Here is why the team at Hach & Rose should be at the top of your list. How can a lawyer help by explaining your rights, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurers so you can focus on recovery.
We Offer Decades of Collective Experience and Results-Driven Advocacy
Premises liability law encompasses many types of accidents caused by unsafe conditions, yet the legal process is never simple. Establishing negligence requires a deep understanding of New York laws, property codes, duty of care, and proof of causation.
At Hach & Rose, LLP, we have successfully handled hundreds of premises liability cases, recovering millions in compensation for our clients. Our attorneys often team up with experts, including engineers, medical professionals, and accident reconstructionists, to build compelling cases tailored to each client’s unique injury and circumstances.
Compassionate Legal Guidance Throughout Your Case
An injury from a hazardous property can disrupt your life physically, emotionally, and financially. You deserve more than just legal representation; you deserve counselors who listen and stand by your side.
We prioritize one-on-one attention with clear communication about your options and progress. Our commitment is to relieve the stress of legal action so you can focus on healing.
No Upfront Legal Fees — We Win or You Don’t Pay
We handle premises liability cases on a contingency basis. That means no upfront costs or hourly fees, and you only pay if we recover compensation for you. This certainty empowers you to pursue justice without financial worry. What to do after an accident is seek medical care, document the scene, and contact our team quickly to protect your claim.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident in New York
The moments after an accident on another person’s property can be confusing and overwhelming. Knowing the right steps to protect your rights and strengthen your claim is critical.
Here is a detailed checklist to follow:
- Notify the Property Owner or Manager Immediately
Report the incident as soon as possible. Businesses often require injured people to complete an incident report form. Be detailed and factual, but do not discuss fault. If the accident occurs in a public space, notify local authorities and file a police report if necessary. - Document the Scene and Injuries
Take clear photos of the accident location, the hazardous condition, and any visible injuries. Include personal property damaged during the incident, such as phones or watches. - Gather Witness Information
Speak with anyone who saw the accident happen and record their names and contact information for future statements. - Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Even minor injuries should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Some injuries don’t show symptoms until days later, so early documentation can support your claim. - Contact an Experienced Premises Liability Attorney
Early legal consultation allows immediate investigation, evidence preservation, and strong claim preparation. - Preserve All Related Records
Keep copies of medical bills, treatment notes, employment records, and correspondence related to your injury. - Allow Your Attorney to Lead Settlement Negotiations
Insurance companies may offer early settlements that do not reflect the true value of your injuries. Do not let them intimidate you. Our lawyers will negotiate aggressively for fair compensation. - Prepare for Trial if Needed
If negotiations stall or fail, our team will use skilled advocacy to ensure that your case is ready for court.
Most Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents in New York
Property owners owe a duty of care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. When they breach this duty, accidents can arise from dangerous conditions such as:
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting to fix damaged flooring, broken stairs, or cracked sidewalks
- Lack of Proper Security: Insufficient security personnel or faulty locks leading to assaults or criminal acts
- Unsecured Rugs and Mats: Slippery or loose floor coverings creating trip hazards
- Defective Staircases and Railings: Missing handrails, uneven steps, or unstable balconies
- Obstacles and Clutter: Objects left in walkways causing falls or collisions
- Uneven Pavement and Potholes: Uneven sidewalks and other public surfaces create hazards, especially for older adults and those with disabilities
- Wet and Slippery Floors: Spills or mopped surfaces not properly marked with warning signs
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient illumination in stairwells, parking lots, or exterior pathways
- Faulty Elevators and Escalators: Mechanical breakdowns, sudden stops, or acceleration leading to injuries
- Electrical Hazards: Exposed wiring, malfunctioning equipment, or failure to adhere to safety protocols
- Fire and Gas Explosions: Due to neglected smoke alarms, defective equipment, or unsafe storage practices
No matter the cause, each dangerous condition demands skilled legal analysis and investigation to establish liability and recover damages.
Get the help you need after being hurt because of dangerous conditions on someone else’s property.
What Types of Injuries and Damages Can I Request in a Premises Liability Claim in NY?
Since these cases can arise from many different situations, the Injuries caused by unsafe properties can range from minor cuts to severe, permanent disabilities, such as:
- Broken bones
- Head, neck, or spinal injuries
- Burns or electric shocks
- Soft tissue damage
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Most legal damages are divided into two categories. Economic damages can be proved by a receipt, bill, or other document. Victims of premises liability accidents are often entitled to economic damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damages, including the cost to repair or replace the item
Non-economic damages are more subjective, but often play a larger role in injury cases than most people expect. Proving these losses may require working with a life-care planner, economist, or other financial expert. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for families in wrongful death cases
If you partner with the team at Hach & Rose, every injury and its impact on your life are carefully considered as we build a legal claim to pursue compensation for your losses. We also gather the evidence needed to prove a property owner is negligent so you have the strongest case possible.
How Does Hach & Rose, LLP Investigate Your Case?
Successful premises liability claims revolve around thorough investigation and compelling evidence. Our legal team is committed to building the strongest possible case based on:
- Scene Inspection: We visit your accident site promptly to document hazards through photos, videos, and measurements.
- Collecting Incident Reports: Accident reports and property management logs provide essential facts.
- Interviewing Witnesses: Detailed statements of unbiased third-party witnesses can reinforce your account.
- Securing Surveillance Footage: Video evidence can be pivotal in proving property condition or the lack of warning. We know where to look for this evidence and how to request it.
- Reviewing Maintenance and Safety Records: Businesses may have a pattern of neglect or ignored warnings that support our argument for their liability.
- Work with Consulting Experts: Engineers, safety consultants, and medical specialists can help validate claim elements.
- Medical Documentation: We gather comprehensive records of your injuries and treatment to support the damages we demand on your behalf.
Insurance companies conduct their own investigations, often to find ways to limit the property owner’s responsibility and the insurer’s payouts. We can protect you by handling all communications with insurers so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery, and our team knows how insurance companies negotiate to reduce payments.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Injuries?
Depending on how your accident happened, several people or entities might be responsible for your injuries and related financial losses. Liability for premises accidents can extend beyond the property owner and may include:
- Business owners and managers
- Landlords and property management companies
- Security firms contracted to safeguard the premises
- Contractors and maintenance providers who are responsible for repairs
- Manufacturers of defective safety equipment or building materials
- Municipalities for failure to maintain public sidewalks or parks
Our attorneys explore every potential responsible party to maximize your recovery.
How to File a Premises Liability Claim in New York: Your Legal Pathway
To prevail in settlement negotiations or at a trial in the court system, New York law requires you to prove these elements:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty to maintain safe premises.
- That duty was breached through their actions or inaction.
- The breach caused your injury.
- You suffered actual damages as a result.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover financial damages even if you were partially responsible for your accident. However, your award of damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
We help navigate statutes of limitations, filing deadlines, insurance claim protocols, and complex legal requirements that vary by location and circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability in New York
How quickly must I act after an accident?
New York’s statute of limitations for premises liability cases is generally three years from the date of the accident, but early legal consultation helps preserve evidence and gives you the best chance to recover the compensation you need.
What if my injury happened on a public sidewalk or municipality property?
Government entities have special rules and shorter filing deadlines, often only a matter of months, so it is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as you are able.
In these cases, it is critical that the victim hire an experienced personal injury attorney to prove the case. It is not enough to say that the attack occurred and a building with better safety measures could probably have prevented it. A personal injury attorney will piece together essential evidence to support your case. For example, if the attacker entered through a door with a broken lock, an attorney will build a case that sufficiently proves that the locks were weak, that the landlord knew the locks were insufficient and did not replace them, or that the attacker deliberately chose a building with poor locks to target. Evidently, the attack was significantly affected by the building owner’s negligence.
There may also be other responsible parties that should be held liable. If the building owner contracted a security company to stand guard in the lobby, and an attack occurred because an intruder slipped past a sleeping guard, an experienced personal injury attorney will also consider holding the security company accountable.
Choosing the right attorney to represent your personal injury case is extremely important. Premises liability is extremely nuanced, and only an experienced personal injury attorney can seek all avenues of compensation. If you or a family member has suffered an assault that could have been prevented with better security, call Hach & Rose, LLP today for a free case review.
Will my case have to go to court? Will I have to testify?
Most cases settle through negotiation, but in case the responsible party or their insurance company does not negotiate fairly, we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial to leverage the best results. If a trial is necessary, we will thoroughly prepare you for every aspect of the process.
Because the machinery is so complex, New York has specialized local laws that govern elevator installation, inspection, and maintenance. Often, a building that has an elevator employs a service contractor to maintain the machinery and call upon for service. An experienced personal injury attorney will be familiar with the specific laws affecting your case and understand the nuances between the building owner and contractor.
Types of elevator accidents can include:
- Limb trapped in the door
- Trapped in an elevator car
- Sudden acceleration
- Sudden deceleration
- Hoist cable failure
- Communication failure
Escalators are another convenient form of transportation within large buildings like shopping malls or office buildings. However, if not maintained properly, they can be extremely dangerous. A caught piece of clothing, the shoe of a small child, or an abrupt stop could all cause devastating injuries. Escalator machinery is not what it once was when first created, and many safety measures should be in place to prevent harm. Unfortunately, these safety measures can fail, especially if the service company has not properly maintained the escalator.
Like elevators, a building manager or landlord often contracts a company to service their escalator and provide service and maintenance. The company contracted to maintain an escalator or an elevator has a duty to service and regularly inspect the machinery for defects. They can be held liable if maintenance is not performed or if the escalator or elevator is cleared for use when they are aware of potentially dangerous defects. So too, can the owner or landlord of the building be held liable for injuries if they do not call for service or regular upkeep. Or if the landlord allows the machinery to be used by visitors when they are aware of some potentially hazardous incident that has not been resolved. Elevator and escalator accidents often occur when a building owner does not want to spend money to update or upgrade the equipment.
How much does it cost to work with your team?
At Hach & Rose, we accept premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees or costs unless we successfully resolve your case and recover compensation for you.
Premises Liability Video FAQs
Take the First Step Toward Justice Today with Hach & Rose, LLP
Suffering injury on hazardous property is traumatic, but you do not have to face the complicated legal battle alone. Hach & Rose, LLP’s skilled New York premises liability lawyers are here to guide you with decades of experience, compassion, and relentless advocacy.
Reach out now for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (646) 971-9333 or submitting our confidential online form. Let us help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.
Hach & Rose, LLP—Committed to Protecting New Yorkers from Negligent Property Owners and Unsafe Conditions.