Acting reasonably to protect the safety of residents, employees, and visitors is the legal responsibility of every business, property manager, property owner, and tenant. To protect the rights of the public, there are a number of safety standards property owners have to have in place in New York. These include safe sidewalks, adequate security measures, proper lighting and maintenance, and more.
Failure to adhere to these safety standards increases the risks to everyone on the premises and leaves property owners and others legally responsible for compensating victims for any resulting injuries. If you’ve been injured as the result of a property owner or other’s negligence, you may be entitled to fair and just financial compensation for all of your damages.
Property Owners Have a Legal Responsibility to Ensure the Safety of Visitors
When you visit a property in New York, you are entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety. Hazards can and do arise without warning, and property owners and others can’t prevent every injury.
In many instances, however, dangerous conditions build up over time and are noticeable enough that property owners should be able to repair these conditions in a timely manner. If they are unable to repair the conditions, they should at least be able to warn visitors of the hazard. Possible hazards could include:
- Unclear or unlevel walking areas on sidewalks and paths
- Dangerous areas that lack warning signs
- Inadequate lighting
- Lack of security cameras or security personnel
- Poorly maintained sidewalks
- Slip or trip hazards
- Malfunctioning elevators
- Leaks or broken plumbing conditions
- Poorly maintained electrical service
If you were injured because a premises owner failed to maintain safe conditions and you were hurt, the owner or others could be liable for your injuries, according to the New York City Bar. In some instances, more than one party can be held responsible for your injuries.
Landlords Owe Tenants a Safe and Secure Living Environment
Residential property owners are held to a unique set of standards designed to ensure the safety of all tenants and visitors to the property. According to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), property owners have to meet certain standards of upkeep to operate New York residential buildings.
Safety requirements include:
- Safe and well-kept common areas and living quarters
- Properly maintained heat, water, lighting, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and window guards
- Clear disclosure of any dangerous substances, including lead
- Self-closing doors for fire safety, where required
If you believe your landlord has neglected to adhere to any of these safety requirements and you have been injured as a result, a New York premises liability lawyer can assist you in pursuing your rights to compensation.
Injured Visitors and Tenants Have the Right To Legal Recourse
If you’ve been injured as a result of a property owner, manager, tenant, or other contractor’s negligence, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. A New York state injury lawyer will review your accident, explain the process, thoroughly and carefully investigate your case, file your claim in a timely manner, and work with you to build a strong claim.
Requirements for a successful premises liability claim include:
- A dangerous or defective condition
- The owner or other responsible party knew or should have known about the dangerous condition or created the condition themselves
- The owner failed to correct the dangerous condition or provide reasonable warning
- The dangerous or defective condition was a substantial factor in causing your injury
If you feel that you have been injured as the result of premises negligence, you should consult a lawyer immediately to protect your rights. The actions you take at the scene of your injury can also strengthen your claim. Follow this simple advice:
- Call the police
- Record the names of any witnesses and their contact information
- Take photographs of the cause of your injury and any visible injuries
- Request immediate medical attention
- Follow up with all medical providers to get the treatment you need
- Do not post on social media
- Refrain from giving a statement to any investigator from the at-fault party
Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP Can Act as Your Advocate
Our lawyers have been fighting for the legal rights of injury victims since 1988. If you have been injured in a premises accident that you believe was the result of someone else’s fault, call Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP.
At Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP, we represent clients throughout the New York City metropolitan area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Get the compensation you deserve—our attorneys are ready to help. Our firm is dedicated to helping clients affected by construction accidents, car accidents, major injuries, wrongful death, and additional types of personal injury.
