If you were injured by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you may be able to hold the owner responsible. Owners must repair known hazards or warn visitors, from wet floors to broken stairs to inadequate security. Contact The Edwards Firm LLP to discuss your claim.
New York
Premises Liability
Proving a Premises Liability Claim
Premises liability cases most often arise from dangerous or defective conditions on someone else’s property. To hold an owner responsible, you’ll need to establish that they were negligent in maintaining their property.
Negligence is generally established by showing that the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to repair it or warn visitors. Common hazards include spills, ice, broken steps, loose handrails, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, and inadequate security.
Every case is different, and liability isn’t limited to businesses; homeowners may also be responsible under certain circumstances. If you believe you were injured because an owner negligently failed to keep their premises safe, The Edwards Firm can help you evaluate your claim.
With over 30 years of experience, our attorneys know how to investigate a property’s maintenance and inspection history to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Elements of a Premises Claim
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you’ll generally need to prove:
- A Dangerous Condition: A hazard existed on the property, such as a spill, broken step, or uneven walkway.
- Owner’s Knowledge: The owner created the condition, knew about it, or should have known through reasonable inspection.
- Causation & Injury: The dangerous condition directly caused your accident and resulting injuries.
Premises Liability Cases We Handle
The Edwards Firm represents people injured on unsafe properties throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including homes, businesses, government buildings, and everything in between. Our attorneys investigate the property’s history, identify every liable party, and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law. From the moment we take your case, we develop a strategy for maximizing your recovery as quickly as possible, whether that means a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve helped people throughout the region recover after serious injuries left them physically and financially vulnerable.
We handle cases involving:
- Slip, trip & fall
- Falling debris
- Inadequate security
- Uneven sidewalks
- Dog bites
- Building or structure collapse
- Elevator & escalator accidents
- Fire & explosion accidents
- Electrocution & drowning accidents
Property owners and their insurers will often argue they had no way of knowing about a hazard, or that the hazard was open and obvious. The Edwards Firm investigates maintenance records, inspection logs, and prior complaints to show what the owner knew or should have known. We consult with you on every critical decision, keeping your best interests at the forefront every step of the way, then negotiate aggressively, and litigate when necessary, to recover the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the property owner’s negligence in maintaining their property.
Why Choose The Edwards Firm
We focus on your recovery, not our egos. From your first call, you’ll work directly with attorneys who listen, explain your options clearly, and fight for the outcome you deserve.
- Over 30 years of experience
- Proven record of case results
- Personalized, client-first approach
- Trial-ready when insurers won’t pay
- Serving NY, NJ & PA
- Free case evaluations
Property owners and their insurers have teams working to protect their bottom line. You deserve the same level of advocacy on your side. The Edwards Firm levels the playing field, handling every detail of your case, from investigation through negotiation or trial, so you can focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must I prove to hold a property owner liable?
Generally, you’ll need to show that a dangerous condition existed, like a spill, broken step, or poor lighting, that the owner created it or knew (or should have known) about it, and that the condition caused your accident and injuries. Every case is different, so it’s important to speak with The Edwards Firm to evaluate the specific facts of yours.
Does the property have to be a business for me to have a claim?
No. While many premises liability claims involve stores or other businesses, homeowners may also be liable for injuries on their property under certain circumstances. Government-owned properties can create liability too, though those claims often involve additional notice requirements and shorter deadlines.
What should I do if I'm injured on someone else's property?
Report the incident to the property owner or manager, take photos of the hazard and your injuries if possible, get witness contact information, and seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Then contact The Edwards Firm so we can begin investigating before evidence disappears or conditions at the property change.
Are landlords automatically responsible for injuries on their property?
No. Liability depends on whether the landlord breached a duty of care, for example, by failing to fix a known hazard after being notified, and whether that breach caused your injury. Simply owning the property where an accident occurred isn’t enough on its own to establish liability; the specific facts of your case matter.
What if my injury happened on a public sidewalk?
You may still have a claim if a property owner, business, or municipality was responsible for maintaining that sidewalk. Where a municipality is involved, you typically have a very short window to file a notice of claim before your rights may be lost, so it’s critical to contact The Edwards Firm as soon as possible after your accident.
Contact The Edwards Firm for Premises Liability Help
If you were injured on someone else’s property, don’t wait to protect your rights. Our attorneys are ready to review your case, answer your questions, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact The Edwards Firm today for a free, no-obligation evaluation.
