Premises Liability Attorney

Life can never be completely free of problems or risks, but carelessness by those responsible for public areas –for example, swimming pools, entertainment areas, stores, parking lots, stairs, sidewalks and walkways –can create unsuspected dangers and have major consequences. If you or a member of your family has been injured while using or visiting such areas due to someone else’s negligence, you should get in touch with an experienced New York premises liability attorney.

Premises liability claims can come about in many different ways, but the common thread is that an injury was caused by the failure by those with the duty of care towards guests or visitors to prevent or repair foreseeable dangerous conditions within the areas they control. For instance, the responsible person could have failed to inspect public areas for unreasonably hazardous conditions or to give adequate warnings, and make prompt repairs, of known hazards.

Premises Liability Law in New York

Slips, trips and falls are common examples of premises liability claims, and can cause serious injuries, especially to older or infirm persons, which may require emergency and long-term medical attention. In fact, they are the nation’s second-leading cause of injuries, and cause about 16,000 deaths each year. Over 70% of these accidents are due to environmental hazards or dangerous conditions, such as uneven, wet or slippery walk spaces.

Similarly, a shopping mall or store has a duty to prevent you from being hit on the head by an item of merchandise falling off a high shelf, hit by cars in its parking lot, or attacked in areas where you would expect security. The landlord of your apartment building or office is responsible for maintaining the elevator in good working condition, and is likely to be held responsible if you’re injured while riding it.

Even in less public areas, like private homes and yards, residents still have a duty to control their pets, so your neighbor needs to control his pit bull (even so, nearly 5 million dog bites are recorded annually, with almost a million requiring medical attention). If you are injured due to negligence by an owner, operator, or manager of a property, you may be entitled to compensation for your immediate medical expenses, the cost of needed future treatments, lost wages or reduced future earnings, along with pain and suffering. If the injury was caused by reckless behavior, it is possible punitive damages might also be available.

Free Consultation: Experienced New York City Premises Liability Attorney

If you or a member of your family was injured on someone else’s property, you should without delay get in touch with an experienced New York premises liability attorney. For a free consultation with an experienced New York premises liability attorney, call the Law Office of Shane D. Scott, PC toll-free at (800) 230-0744.