The owner might be responsible when you get hurt at a business, on public property, or on private property in New York, New York. However, getting them to pay for your medical bills, lost income, and suffering can be a challenge. That’s where the New York premises liability lawyers at Levine & Slavit PLLC can help.
Since 1957, Levine & Slavit PLLC has been a trusted name in premises liability litigation. Backed by 115 years of collective experience, our award-winning New York trial attorneys have helped clients win tens of millions from insurance companies, government agencies, and corporations.
Now, we’re here to help you make things right after your life-changing accident. Call our law office in New York, NY, today to set up a free consultation or call (212) 687 2777 with a New York premises liability attorney.
How Levine & Slavit PLLC Can Help With Your Premises Liability Lawsuit in New York, NY
You might not know a lot about premises liability law or have the resources to take on a powerful business. Levine & Slavit PLLC does. When you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property because of an owner’s negligence, our New York personal injury lawyers will be here to help you make things right.
At Levine & Slavit PLLC, your justice is our priority. As a family-owned law firm, we’ve dedicated our careers to making sure that accident victims are able to fight big corporations on a level playing field.
When we handle your premises liability claim, you’ll be able to count on us to:
- Ensure that your premises liability matter is subject to a prompt and thorough investigation
- Gather and evaluate key pieces of evidence
- Enlist expert witnesses and specialists to weigh in as we build your case
- Calculate what your premises liability case is worth
- Represent your best interests as we engage in settlement negotiations with the property owner and their insurance company
- Take your premises liability lawsuit to a New York jury if you aren’t offered a meaningful settlement offer
Our New York premises liability attorneys understand that an accident can disrupt your life and cause a lot of financial stress. That’s why we represent our clients on contingency. If we don’t win your premises liability case, you pay us nothing.
No win, no fee. That’s a promise our law firm can make to you.
Contact our New York, New York law office today to learn more and set up a time for your free case assessment.
What Is Premises Liability?
New York’s premises liability laws impose a duty on businesses and property owners to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Essentially, an owner has to ensure that there aren’t hidden dangers or hazardous conditions that could pose a threat to a visitor’s safety. If an owner is negligent in maintaining their property, they can be liable for a guest’s injuries or wrongful death.
What steps must a property owner take to protect their guests? It ultimately comes down to the reason why someone is visiting in the first place. There are three primary visitor classifications in the state of New York: invitee, licensee, and trespasser.
Invitees
Invitees are defined as visitors to public property or people whose visits benefit the property owner in some way. Invitees always enter premises with the owner’s consent (implied or express).
Examples of invitees are diners at a New York restaurant, patrons in a grocery store or gas station, and fans at a ballpark.
For invitees, owners must exercise the highest level of care. This includes inspecting the premises at regular intervals, repairing hazards upon discovery, and providing adequate warnings of known threats to safety.
Licensees
Licensees are defined as individuals who enter premises with the owner’s consent but for personal reasons. The owner doesn’t benefit from the licensee’s visit.
An example of a licensee includes someone entering someone else’s home as a social guest.
For licensees, owners do not have to inspect their premises at regular intervals to assess for potential hazards. However, there is an obligation to do repairs when a hazard is discovered and to provide safety warnings.
Trespassers
Trespassers are individuals who enter premises without the owner’s permission. Typically, owners have no obligation to protect trespassers from latent threats or hazardous conditions on their properties.
There is one exception, and it involves young children. If children enter the property to check out an attractive nuisance – like a swimming pool – the owner can be liable for resulting injuries or deaths. So, owners need to take steps to prevent potential trespassing children from entering the premises or getting hurt by an attractive nuisance.
Representing Clients in All Types of New York Premises Liability Cases
At Levine & Slavit PLLC, our award-winning team of New York trial attorneys has extensive experience handling all types of premises liability cases, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Falling object accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Warehouse accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Building collapse accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Negligent security
Experience can have a massive impact on your ability to recover compensation from a business, landlord, or New York government agency. Even taking on a private homeowner (and their insurance company) can be a challenge. Put our 115+ years of collective legal experience in your corner and set yourself up for the victory you deserve.
How Do I Win a Premises Liability Claim in New York?
Premises liability claims are all about negligence. In essence, your claim must prove that you got hurt (or experienced the wrongful death of a family member) because the property owner was negligent in maintaining the premises.
Specifically, you must prove:
- The defendant owned or was responsible for maintaining the property in question
- The owner owed you a duty of care because you were lawfully on the premises with their permission
- The owner failed to inspect/maintain/warn, and, as a result, you were injured because of a hazardous condition on the premises
- You’ve suffered damages
Can you prove that the hazard would not have existed or you wouldn’t have gotten hurt if the owner had been more responsible? If so, you may be entitled to a sizable monetary award.
Don’t stress about how to prove your premises liability case or what kind of evidence you’ll need to make a strong case. Focus on your recovery and leave the rest to our New York premises liability attorneys.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover With a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
In New York, plaintiffs in premises liability cases have the right to demand monetary damages from an insurance company or negligent property owner.
Compensatory damages can include two distinct types of awards: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages help you deal with the financial consequences of your accident, such as:
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Nursing care
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Funeral expenses
Non-economic damages are designed to offset the suffering and trauma you’re likely to experience as a victim, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic physical pain
- Embarrassment
The property owner will argue that your injuries are minor and that your life hasn’t changed all that much since your accident. Our premises liability attorneys in New York won’t let these allegations prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve.
We’ll build a compelling legal claim backed by solid evidence, facts, and expert testimony. When it’s time to negotiate, the defense will have no choice but to offer you a fair settlement. If they refuse to take responsibility for the full extent of your damages, they’ll have to take their chances against our top-rated New York trial attorneys in court.
Can Shared Fault Hurt My New York Premises Liability Case?
Yes. Under New York’s pure comparative fault system, sharing responsibility for your accident will limit your ability to recover compensation through a settlement or jury award.
The more liability you share, the less your premises liability claim will be worth.
It’s common for property owners to point fingers and blame victims for their accidents. Our law firm will be ready to fight back against these claims and work to safeguard your ability to recover a top-dollar monetary award.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Lawsuits in New York?
For most premises liability cases in New York, a three-year statute of limitations applies.
This gives you up to three years from the date of your accident to sue the owner of the premises.
Missing the deadline means missing out on the financial justice you deserve. Don’t let that happen. Call Levine & Slavit PLLC to get a jump start on your premises liability claim today.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced New York Premises Liability Lawyer
You deserve compensation if you’ve gotten hurt on someone else’s property in New York, New York. Levine & Slavit PLLC can help you exhaust your legal options and fight for maximum financial recovery.
We’ve been fighting for injury victims and families in New York since 1957. During that time, we’ve helped clients win tens of millions in monetary awards. Today, we’re here to fight for you.
Contact our law office to set up your free consultation with our New York premises liability attorneys. Our team members are always here to help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.