Binghamton Premises Liability Attorney

When an accident happens on someone else’s property, the property owner, landlord, tenant or other responsible party may be held liable for the victim’s injuries in many circumstances. “Premises liability” is the legal term for this type of claim.

Many people associate premises liability with slip-and-fall claims. While such accidents are one type of premises liability claim, there are many other accidents that arise from dangers on other people’s properties. Some examples include injuries in swimming pools, dog bites, assaults due to inadequate security, accidents involving elevators and escalators, playground injuries and fires, just to name a few.

About Our Premises Liability Lawyer

At Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, we represent people in Binghamton and surrounding areas of Upstate New York who have been hurt by a hazard on someone else’s property. Our firm’s philosophy is to provide quality legal services while treating each client with care and respect. We will work together to decide whether it is better to fight a case in court or pursue a settlement in order to obtain the financial recovery that you deserve.

Contact our premises liability attorney online today or call our Binghamton office at (607) 304-4121 for a free consultation. Our responsibility is to help you in your time of need. We return all calls every day, usually within the hour – even on weekends. We will fight for you!

What Is Premises Liability?

Property owners are responsible for making sure that their properties are reasonably safe for visitors. If a dangerous condition cannot be corrected immediately, they must provide adequate warnings about the hazard. Property owners who neglect this legal duty may be held responsible for the injuries and losses that result.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

There are many situations in which premises liability may arise. Some examples include:

• Defective elevators and escalators — Injuries can result from elevators and escalators that are not properly designed, installed and maintained. For example, an elevator door may open when the elevator is not on that floor, allowing a visitor to fall into an open shaft.
• Inadequate security — If an assault or other criminal attack happens on someone else’s property – for example, an office, apartment complex, hotel, bar, concert venue or store – the property owner may be liable for failing to provide sufficient security.
• Inadequate lighting — Areas with poor lighting make it difficult to see hazards that a visitor might otherwise avoid. Poor lighting also provides fertile ground for criminal activity.
• Playground and amusement park accidents — Rides and equipment must be designed, constructed, maintained and operated safely, and there must be adequate warnings about the hazards they pose. Unfortunately, children are often the victim of accidents involving unsafe rides.
• Swimming pool accidents — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 3,500 people die in drownings every year – and many of them are children. Drowning is not the only danger pools pose. Defective drains, bacterial contamination, excessive chemicals and water too shallow for diving are a few other examples of pool hazards.
• Dog bites ­— Dog owners have a duty to keep their animals under control and prevent them from biting or attacking others. If they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, the dog owner may be held liable for the victim’s injuries.
• Slip and Falls – Conditions that could cause a fall should be fixed as soon as possible, and warning signs should be posted when it is not possible to remedy the situation immediately. Falls caused by slippery floors, trip hazards and other issues that make walking dangerous may entitle the victim to compensation from the party responsible for the property where the accident happened.
• Falling merchandise or debris — Shelves that have been overstocked or poorly stacked may cause injuries if the items fall onto customers. Construction sites and other work zones also create the potential for a heavy object to fall from above and strike someone below.

What Should I Do If I Was Injured on Someone Else’s Property?

If you are hurt while on someone else’s property, your first priority is seeking appropriate medical attention for your injuries. Once your immediate medical needs have been attended to, the next focus should be on securing evidence.

We recommend taking the following steps if you have been injured on someone else’s property:

• Take pictures of the hazardous condition that caused your accident.
• Collect names and contact information from any witnesses.
• If you were injured on business property, try to get an incident report. The business probably will not cooperate, but it can help your case if you can provide our office with every bit of relevant information you have.
• Keep all stained, soiled or torn clothing and footwear that you wore at the time of the accident (and do not wear them again).
• Follow all of your doctor’s orders for the treatment of your injuries.
• Retain copies of all medical bills (even those paid by insurance) and off-work slips.
• Keep a journal of your medical treatment and pain and suffering caused by the accident.

The most important step you can take after an accident on someone else’s property is to seek legal help from Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney. Our firm works with economic experts to determine the full value of premises liability claims. We are committed to assisting victims of serious injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. We will work hard to seek to resolve your claim successfully so that you can concentrate on recovery and move forward with your life.

Contact Our Binghamton Premises Liability Attorney

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in an accident on someone else’s property, contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, today for a free review of your case. Call our Binghamton office or submit our online contact form.