Premises liability attorney for slip and fall accidents is a category of law that holds property owners responsible when visitors suffer injuries due to unsafe conditions on their properties. These conditions could be anything from a wet floor at a grocery store to broken stairs in an apartment building or rough patches on a sidewalk. A New York City premise liability attorney can help you determine who might be responsible for your injury and what type of proof may be needed to prove negligence.
Property owners, landlords, government entities and managing agents all have a duty to keep their lands and buildings free of foreseeable and preventable safety hazards. These responsibilities are generally outlined in the same laws that govern construction of private and public structures.
Premises Liability Attorney for Slip and Fall Accidents: Understanding Your Legal Options
Proving a case in this area of personal injury requires an extensive understanding of building codes, property maintenance laws and other applicable laws. It is also crucial to understand that a property owner must be on notice of an unsafe condition before they can be held liable. This can be actual or constructive notice. For example, if a banana peel falls on the floor of a grocery store 2 seconds before somebody slips and falls, the supermarket would not be responsible because they did not have “actual notice.”
The laws also state that property owners must inspect elevators and escalators regularly; clear snow within a reasonable amount of time; position and test smoke detectors, among other very specific requirements. A successful premises liability claim often includes punitive damages, which are awarded to punish parties that exhibit extreme recklessness or willful disregard for the safety of others.
…