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Landlords in New York have a duty to keep the apartment premises and sidewalks safe. If there are hazards, damage, or dangerous conditions, they must warn tenants. If the owner of the property fails to meet the required standard of care, they can be held liable for negligence.
Too often, people just think that if they fell on an apartment sidewalk, it was their fault. However, in many cases, there are contributing factors to the accident that caused the person to fall. Common contributing factors include snow, sleet, and ice that was not properly cleaned up from the sidewalk or a defective or broken sidewalk, or another dangerous condition that caused the fall.
If you were injured because the property was in a dangerous condition and the property owner was negligent in causing that condition, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contrary to popular belief, not all sidewalks in New York are city-owned. Many sidewalks in New York are considered part of the property that they front. This means that if you fall on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building, the landlord may be held liable for not keeping their sidewalk in a safe condition. There are also instances where the city can be held liable. These accidents can be complicated. It can be difficult to determine which party is liable for the sidewalk. This is why it’s strongly recommended that you have an experienced New York premises liability attorney investigate your case to see what party or parties exactly can be held liable for your injuries.
If you were hurt on a New York apartment sidewalk, you have the right to seek financial compensation and file a lawsuit. The New York City premises liability attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. understand the importance of your claim, and we are ready to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. We have been proudly representing sidewalk accident victims for over 35 years, and we are ready to put our skills, knowledge, and resources to work for you.
Understanding Premises Liability
When you enter an apartment complex, you have a right to expect that the complex is reasonably safe and you are not in danger. However, negligent management can create problems and hazardous situations that may cause you harm. If you’ve been injured at another person’s apartment complex or even in your apartment complex, you should not have to pay the price for another party’s negligence. The premises liability laws in New York can protect you after an apartment sidewalk accident that caused your injuries. Under state laws, apartment managers and landlords may be liable if their negligent actions or inactions caused you harm.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
One of the vital parts of a personal injury case is the need to fulfill the burden of proof. This is how you will establish that the owner of the property was negligent in causing the apartment sidewalk accident. In some cases, the sidewalk by the apartment may be owned by the city of New York, but in other cases, it may be owned by the building owner. After your accident, it’s important that you collect evidence as soon as possible, even if you are not sure who the liable party is. Take plenty of photos from various angles and distances of the hazardous sidewalk conditions that caused your injury.
If there are any witnesses at the accident scene, make sure you get their contact information, as they may be called to testify on your behalf. You should also seek medical attention right away. Your injuries need to be documented by a doctor or another health care professional. This can play a major role in how much compensation you’re able to recover.
Types of Injuries Suffered in Apartment Sidewalk Accidents
Common injuries from New York apartment sidewalks include:
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the elbows, wrists, or hands due to trying to break the fall with your hands
- Injuries to the face and head, including cuts, bruises, and lacerations, from striking your head during a fall
- Brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Knee injuries
When you have been seriously injured in an apartment complex, you must protect your rights by retaining an experienced New York apartment accident attorney. Often, the landlord will take prompt corrective action following a sidewalk accident. All the more important why you should call a lawyer right away because they can help you document the hazardous condition or help in recreating the condition for a judge or jury.
Types of Apartment Sidewalk Cases We Handle
If you’ve been injured on a sidewalk or pathway in or around an apartment complex, the attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. can help you pursue legal action against the property owner, apartment management, and/or maintenance companies. We have extensive experience handling cases involving:
- Failure to clear ice and snow from sidewalks, resulting in slippery surfaces
- Broken sidewalks, including uneven surfaces
- Defective sidewalks
- Cracks and holes in sidewalks
- Failure to address a slippery condition resulting from precipitation, water leak, or spill
- Failure to post warnings in dangerous areas on sidewalks
- Lack of proper lighting over sidewalks
Contact a New York Premises Liability Lawyer
If you or your family member has been a part of an apartment building accident, the first thing you should do is contact a New York sidewalk accident attorney. The New York City personal injury attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. on Long Island have handled all types of premises accidents.
Because you only have a limited time to file an injury claim, you need to start working on your case as soon as you can. Call Finz & Finz P.C. at 855-TOP-FIRM now for a free and confidential consultation with one of our skilled and compassionate attorneys. You may also fill out our online contact form.
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Finz & Finz, P.C. is a New York and Long Island personal injury law firm based out of Mineola, NY. It was founded in 1984 and is highly rated, with many honors and awards of excellence.
