Getting hurt on someone’s property can turn your life upside down. Whether you slipped on a wet floor in a Manhattan grocery store, tripped on broken stairs in a Bronx apartment building, or injured visiting a friend’s Brooklyn brownstone, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
The truth is, if your injury happened because the property wasn’t properly maintained, you may have the right to seek compensation under New York law. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., our NYC premises liability lawyers have helped thousands of people in cases like yours. We know how tough these situations can be, and we’re here to make the process easier. Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
What Counts as Private Property in New York City?
In a city as big and busy as New York, what’s considered private property is not always clear. But when it comes to premises liability claims, private property generally means any space that’s owned by an individual, business, or landlord, not the city or government. That includes apartment buildings, grocery stores, office spaces, parking garages, brownstones, and even a friend’s home.
Who’s At Fault for Accidents on Private Property?
Who’s responsible depends on who controls the property. For example, a landlord may be liable for a broken stairwell in a tenant’s building, while a store owner might be at fault for not cleaning up a spill. If the person or company in charge didn’t take reasonable steps to keep the property safe and you got hurt as a result—you may have a legal case.
How Can You Hold a Property Owner Legally Responsible?
Not every accident on private property in NYC leads to a lawsuit, but it may if the property owner or manager was careless. In cases where their carelessness caused your injury, they may be legally responsible.
In New York, property owners (and sometimes tenants or businesses) have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. That means fixing hazards they know about, regularly inspecting for dangers, and warning visitors when something can’t be fixed right away.
For example, if a landlord ignored complaints about broken stairs or a store didn’t clean up a spill for hours, and you got hurt, that’s likely negligence.
To have a valid premises liability case, you’ll generally need to show that:
- The owner or occupier had control over the property
- A dangerous condition existed
- They knew (or should have known) about the hazard
- They failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about it
- That failure caused your injury
Every case is different, and proving fault isn’t always simple, especially in a city like NYC, where multiple parties might share responsibility. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a property accident lawyer who knows how to investigate these cases and build a claim.
What Property Accidents Frequently Lead to Lawsuits?
Injuries on private property are not always as simple as a slip and fall. In New York City, where apartment buildings, businesses, and residential properties are tightly packed together, property-related hazards can show up just about anywhere.
From broken staircases, elevators, and fire escapes to total building collapses and scalding water injuries, if an unsafe condition caused your injury and the person responsible didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent it, you may have a case. Here are some common NY premises liability accidents that often lead to legal action:
- Slip and falls from wet floors, icy sidewalks, or spilled liquids in stores
- Trip and falls caused by uneven flooring, broken steps, or loose carpeting
- Stairway and hallway injuries in poorly maintained apartment buildings
- Dog bites or animal attacks on private property
- Ceiling collapses or falling objects in older or neglected buildings
- Inadequate lighting or broken handrails that lead to falls in stairwells or entryways
- Lack of security in places where tenants or visitors were harmed during a crime
What Can You Recover in an Unsafe Property Lawsuit?
If you were seriously hurt because of unsafe conditions on another’ property, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your various losses and damages:
- Medical bills, hospital stays, and future treatment
- Lost income if you had to miss work
- Pain and suffering related to your physical and emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket costs like transportation to doctor visits or home care
- Permanent disability or disfigurement, if applicable
Do I Have a Case Against a Property Owner?
Just because an accident happened doesn’t mean someone else is automatically at fault, but if it happened because the property wasn’t safe, and you got seriously hurt, it’s worth exploring your legal options.
The best way to find out if you have a valid personal injury claim is to talk to a qualified NYC premises liability lawyer. An experienced attorney will look where the accident happened, what caused it, who was ultimately responsible for the property, and what steps they did or didn’t take to prevent the harm. From there, they can help determine whether the owner’s negligence directly contributed to your injuries.
To prove your claim, your lawyer should gather evidence such as:
- Photos or video of the hazard
- Incident reports or maintenance records
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage (if available)
- Medical records that document your injuries
Premises liability cases often come down to the details, and multiple parties or even the city itself may share fault. That’s why getting experienced legal help early can make a big difference.
Can I Sue a Property Owner If I Share Fault for my Injuries?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means even if you were partly responsible for an accident on another person’s property, you can still recover compensation. Your total award may just be reduced based on your share of the blame.
Let’s say you were texting and distracted when you slipped on a wet floor in a store that had no warning signs. If a court finds you 20% responsible for not paying attention, and the store 80% responsible for failing to clean it up, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
Just know that being partly at fault doesn’t cancel out your right to be compensated, but it can impact how much you recover. Insurance companies love to use this rule to shift blame and reduce payouts, which is another reason it’s wise to consult a knowledgeable attorney.
Don’t Wait. NY Premises Liability Claims Have Time Limits
In most New York premises liability cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That’s called the statute of limitations. While three years may seem like a long time, acting quickly is crucial. In a fast-moving city like NYC, important evidence—like surveillance footage, maintenance records, or witness contact information—can disappear in weeks or even days.
If your injury happened on property owned by a government agency, like a city building or public housing, the deadline is much shorter. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and the lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days. These deadlines are strict and missing them could mean giving up your right to seek compensation altogether.
Injured on Unsafe Property in NYC? Contact HKD
If you’ve been hurt because someone failed to keep their property safe, you don’t have to figure out what to do next on your own. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we’ve spent decades helping injured New Yorkers get answers, assert their rights, and recover the compensation they deserve. Your consultation is completely free, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win.
Call 212-490-5700 or contact HKD online today to speak with an experienced and nearby NYC premises liability lawyer.