Property owners, landlords and managers share a responsibility to take all reasonable measures to prevent accidents that may cause injuries to customers and other people who come onto their property. Property owners who do not ensure their buildings and grounds are designed safely or maintained properly face legal liability for money damages.
If you were injured in a slip and fall on a business’ property, private property or government property, you are entitled to seek full and fair compensation for:

• Medical treatment and physical rehabilitation
• Lost wages and earnings
• Necessary house and vehicle upgrades to accommodate the disability
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Make no mistake about your lawyer’s experience. When it comes to helping you get maximum compensation, there is no substitute for knowledge and skill.

SLIP/TRIP AND FALLS

Many people, including some attorneys, regard slip-and-fall claims as simple, run-of-the-mill cases. However, what may appear to be a simple case at first glance is often anything but simple upon closer inspection. In addition to the complex legal issues that need sorting out, slip-and-fall cases can involve injuries that appear “minor” at first but that may, in fact, plague someone for life.
Because even cases that do not involve life-altering injuries or complex legal questions are defended aggressively by insurance companies, you need more than just the right medical attention. You need the right attorney.
Most slip-and-fall or trip and fall accidents happen in commercial settings such as grocery stores, gas stations and office buildings. However, they can and do occur on private property as well (e.g., a sidewalk ice injury). That said, successful claims are few and far between because of the difficulty in proving that a property owner or the owner’s agents knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Our firm represents people who have been injured in slip-and-fall accidents in New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and the surrounding areas of Long Island and Westchester County. With years of experience investigating premises liability cases, handling insurance company negotiations, and taking these cases to trial, our attorneys have consistently been able to deliver satisfying results to the firm’s clients. We hope you’ll give us the opportunity to do the same for you.

SIDEWALK AND STREET ACCIDENTS

New York’s streets are so poorly maintained that city lawmakers have devised strategies to minimize litigation costs resulting from trip- or slip-and-fall accidents. These provisions either shift the responsibility for defective sidewalks to nearby private property owners or make it more difficult for accident victims to file claims against the City.
Unfortunately, it seems that preventing injury through proper infrastructure maintenance is not a city priority. Apparently, it is easier and cheaper to blame the victims.
Our firm represents people who have been injured in New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and the surrounding areas of Long Island and Westchester County, slip-and-fall accidents. While many people, including some lawyers, see slip-and-fall cases as simple, run-of-the-mill type claims, in reality many of them are not. This is especially true when the accident occurs on a city street or sidewalk.
In large part, this is due to 2003 New York City laws that in many instances shift the responsibility for accidents caused by defective or dangerous sidewalks onto private property owners. If New York City is the proper party to be sued for an accident (in some cases, a third party such as a public utility company may have caused the defect), a written claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident or the opportunity to pursue a claim will be lost.

DOG BITE INJURIES

Under New York law, pet owners have strict liability for the behavior of their dogs. This means that if a dog bites you, the owner is liable for compensating you for medical bills, lost earnings and other financial losses and pain and suffering. In cases of gross negligence on the part of the dog owner, you may be able to obtain significant punitive damages, as well.
If you or a child in your family has suffered a dog bite, don’t assume that everything will be okay. Dog bites can cause long-term medical damage and emotional trauma, particularly among children. Talk to an attorney to discuss your case. We offer a free consultation and handle all dog bite cases on a contingency basis — if we can’t help you obtain money from the dog owner’s insurance company, you won’t pay attorneys fees.

What to Do and What Not to Do After a Dog Bite

• Do gather the names and contact information from all available witnesses.
• Do go to a doctor and get your injuries taken care of. Dog bites often take days or weeks to become infected or turn into a serious medical problem.
• Don’t try to negotiate a private settlement on your own. You won’t know the full extent of your injuries until you have attained maximum medical recovery. If you accept $1,000 in a private settlement, you may give up your options for obtaining the full amount you need.
• Don’t be afraid to file a claim against your friend or relative. Many dog bites are from familiar dogs owned by neighbors, friends or relatives. In most cases, the settlement will come from the owners’ homeowner insurance. We will handle your case with compassion and discreetness, seeking every available dollar from available insurance sources.
• Don’t let your dog bite injury cost you twice. Having the right lawyer at your side will make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

LANDLORD NEGLIGENCE

Renters have the right to expect their home, apartment or commercial space will be maintained at the level necessary to prevent injuries caused by hazards, unsafe design or insufficient security. If you have suffered an injury because your landlord failed to make a timely repair, or remove a known safety hazard in a sufficient amount of time, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and financial damages, including medical bills, lost earnings and pain and suffering.
Our Firm provides aggressive, knowledgeable representation for renters seeking money damages from injuries resulting from disrepair, failure to remove hazardous building materials (such as lead and asbestos), ignoring safety hazards and negligent security.
Some of the typical types of disrepair and hazardous conditions that result in landlord negligence claims include:

• Loose or torn carpets in entryways
• Unshoveled sidewalks, slip and fall injuries
• Broken handrails and stair treads, stairwell injuries
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Electrical failure/shocks
• Defective kitchen appliances
• Inadequate lighting
• Playground and swimming pool accidents
• Parking garage and parking lot accidents

In addition to representing renters injured because of landlord negligence, we also represent workers injured while making repairs or completing construction projects at apartments and commercial buildings. In many cases, the property owner can be held liable for site preparation and worker safety.

ELEVATOR ACCIDENTS

The New York City area has more than its fair share of elevators. Many of them are perfectly safe and in good working condition — even many of the older models. However, it should come as no surprise that some are poorly maintained, not up to code, or in need of repairs.
Elevator accident almost always happen for one of two reasons: either the elevator itself was poorly designed or manufactured and it failed for that reason, or the building owner or its agents did not maintain the elevator properly.
We represent elevator accident victims in New York City and in the surrounding areas of Long Island and Westchester County.
Much like a slip- or trip-and-fall accident, an elevator accident is a good example of a premises liability case. An elevator that has been inadequately maintained or was unsafely designed has the potential to harm a passenger. An elevator that does not line up properly with the floor can be a hazard as well and may cause a person to slip or get caught. Other possible elevator risks that may cause physical injury include a sudden drop, jammed doors or door closures.
Fortunately, elevators are highly regulated in New York City and the law holds property owners, landlords, maintenance companies and manufacturers responsible for injuries and deaths caused by their negligence. Because we are aware of how complex any premises liability case can be, our lawyers take the investigation and preparation of these cases very seriously. We work with a handful of top experts to investigate and develop these cases, sparing no effort or resource to do so. Considering what you’ve been forced to endure, it’s the very least we can do.

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