All property owners in the state of New York are required to take care of their grounds. The failure to do so can result in certain dangers that can cause accidents and injuries to the people who come onto the property. In these situations, injured parties can pursue legal action in order to recover compensation from the property owner for the damages caused. During this time, it is important to retain the services of a skilled New York personal injury attorney for assistance.
Are Property Owners Responsible for Accidents?
Individuals who own property are required to ensure its safety for those who come onto it. This is a legal obligation under premises liability law. Property owners owe a duty of care to those who come onto their property, whether they are a licensee or invitee. An invitee is a person on the property for business or commercial reasons. A licensee is a person on the property for non-business or non-commercial reasons. Property owners who do not take care of their property are in breach of their duty of care.
Property can be taken care of simply by conducting regular inspections of the property to be aware of any repairs that are needed. If hazards arise, guests should be aware of them and they should be fixed as soon as possible. If a property owner fails to do so, they are negligent and can be held liable as a result.
What Kinds of Accidents Can Happen?
There are many types of accidents that can happen as a result of a property owner’s negligent behavior, such as:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous conditions
- Defective security
- Inadequate maintenance
- Poor weather conditions
- Inadequate lighting
How Can I Hold a Property Owner Liable?
When an accident occurs because of a property owner’s negligence, the injured party can pursue legal action to recover compensation. To do so, they must file a personal injury claim in which they are required to prove negligence took place and directly caused their injuries. This can be done with evidence such as pictures of the property, medical documentation of the injuries, and any witnesses to the accident. When pursuing legal action, it must be done within the statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.
Contact our Firm
If you have been injured in a personal injury accident, Swerling Law is here to help. Our firm understands the challenges that many people face after being hurt in an accident and is prepared to help you receive an award of significant compensation to ease some of your burdens. To schedule a consultation with an experienced construction site accident attorney in New York City, contact Swerling Law today.