Premises Liability Lawyer New York, NY
Property owners and managers in New York City owe a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When a dangerous condition on a sidewalk, in a store, at a construction site, or inside a residential building causes an injury, the injured person may have a premises liability claim. These claims arise from slip-and-falls, trip-and-falls, negligent security, elevator and escalator accidents, and other unsafe property conditions across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent individuals hurt on another’s property, working to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The firm’s experience with New York personal injury law and its familiarity with New York’s court system help clients navigate the claims process. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation about your premises liability matter. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Premises Liability Means in New York City
A premises liability claim in New York City turns on whether the property owner or occupier failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances. Under New York law, the duty of care varies depending on the status of the injured person—invitee, licensee, or trespasser—but the central inquiry is whether the owner knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors. The claim can arise from a wide range of accidents: a broken handrail on a subway stairwell, a wet floor in a grocery store, a poorly lit parking garage, a missing bollard that allows a vehicle to hit a pedestrian, or inadequate security that leads to an assault.
The city’s density multiplies the types of premises. Personal injury matters connected to unsafe property conditions are heard in the New York Supreme Court in the county where the accident occurred. For Manhattan, that is the New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street. In Brooklyn, the Kings County Supreme Court sits at 360 Adams Street. The Queens County Supreme Court is located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. If your injury happened on public property, special notice-of-claim deadlines apply. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel practice in all five boroughs and are familiar with the procedural expectations at each court. The firm appears on behalf of injured clients at these courts and works to build cases that can withstand New York’s pure comparative fault standard, which reduces a plaintiff’s recovery by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Premises Liability Cases
When a person is injured on another’s property, preserving evidence is essential. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work quickly to gather photographs, surveillance video, maintenance logs, accident reports, and witness statements. They often engage attorneys such as engineers or safety professionals to evaluate the condition that caused the injury and to reconstruct the accident. In New York, proving a premises liability claim requires connecting the hazardous condition to the owner’s failure to exercise ordinary care. The firm builds that connection through thorough investigation and by identifying all potentially responsible parties—property owners, managing agents, commercial tenants, maintenance contractors, and others.
Once suit is filed in the appropriate New York Supreme Court, the litigation process moves through discovery, depositions, and motion practice. The firm negotiates with insurance carriers on behalf of the client but prepares every case as though it will go to trial. Many premises liability cases in New York resolve through settlement, but the firm’s readiness to try cases often leads to more favorable offers. Throughout the matter, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel communicate directly with clients, explaining each step and discussing strategy. They handle the legal burden so the injured person can focus on medical recovery.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he brings extensive trial experience and an understanding of how the opposing side prepares a case. He personally oversees premises liability matters and works together with a group of Of Counsel attorneys who bring additional depth in civil litigation, insurance law, and personal injury trial work. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved over 4,739 documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. The team’s investigative approach and familiarity with New York’s court system allow them to represent clients effectively throughout New York City.
Meetings are by appointment. The firm’s New York location is at 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Office No. 142, Buffalo, NY 14202. Clients from all five boroughs of New York City are welcome to schedule a consultation. Reach us at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is premises liability?
Premises liability is the area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property. In New York, the owner’s duty depends on the visitor’s status and whether the hazardous condition was foreseeable. Common examples include icy walkways, uneven flooring, inadequate lighting, and negligent security. An injured person must show that the owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to take reasonable steps to correct it or warn visitors.
How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in New York?
In New York, a lawsuit for injuries caused by a premises hazard must generally be filed within three years from the date of the accident. This three-year deadline is set by N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) and applies to most personal injury claims, including slip‑and‑fall and trip‑and‑fall claims. If the property is owned by a municipality, a notice of claim must be filed within a strict deadline, and the legal timeline differs. Failing to meet the deadline can permanently bar recovery. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your filing window.
What should I do immediately after a slip-and-fall accident in New York City?
Seek medical attention first, then document the scene and report the accident to the property manager or owner. Take photos of the hazardous condition—wet floor, broken stair, cracked pavement—before it is repaired. Get contact information for any witnesses. If you are in a store, ask for a copy of the incident report. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Early investigation preserves evidence critical to proving the owner’s failure to maintain safe premises.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for my accident?
Yes, New York follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means you can recover damages even if you were partly responsible for your injury. Under C.P.L.R. Article 14‑A, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault, your award is reduced by 20 percent. The property owner’s insurance carrier will often argue that you should have seen the hazard, so having an experienced attorney to counter those arguments is important to protecting the value of your claim.
Who can be held liable in a premises liability case?
The property owner is usually the primary defendant, but other parties such as property managers, commercial tenants, maintenance contractors, and even managing agents can share liability. In multi‑unit apartment buildings in New York City, the landlord, the managing agent, and a tenant whose activity created a hazard may all bear responsibility. A thorough investigation identifies all responsible parties so that a claim can be filed against each one. Failing to name the correct defendants can limit the compensation available, especially when insurance policies and coverage limits are at play.
What types of damages can I recover in a premises liability claim?
In New York, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Medical damages cover hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care needs. Lost income includes the time you missed from work and, if a long‑term injury prevents you from returning to your prior occupation, loss of future earning power. There is no statutory cap on compensatory damages in most premises liability cases. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injury, the clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage.
Do I need a lawyer for a premises liability claim in New York?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but premises liability claims often involve contested fault, multiple insurance policies, and procedural deadlines that are difficult to handle alone. Insurance adjusters begin working to reduce the value of a claim immediately after an accident. An attorney can gather evidence, identify all liable parties, and negotiate from a position of strength. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
What is negligent security and how does it relate to premises liability?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner fails to provide adequate safety measures, experienced to a foreseeable criminal attack on a visitor. Examples include a landlord who does not repair a broken lock on an apartment building entrance, a parking garage with no lighting, or a bar that lacks sufficient security personnel. In New York, the owner is liable if the criminal incident was a foreseeable consequence of the inadequate security. Proving foreseeability often requires evidence of prior similar crimes in the area.
For related reading, see our pages on:
Premises Liability Lawyer Manhattan, NY •
Premises Liability Lawyer Brooklyn, NY •
Premises Liability Lawyer Queens, NY •
Personal Injury Lawyer New York, NY.
Official New York resources:
New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) •
New York State Unified Court System.
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