Premises Liability Lawyer Rockville Centre, NY
If you were injured on someone else’s property due to a dangerous condition, you may have a premises liability claim. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for people who enter their premises. When they fail this duty and someone gets hurt, they should be held accountable.
At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we represent people injured on dangerous properties throughout Rockville Centre and Nassau County. Our Rockville Centre, NY premises liability lawyer understands the legal requirements for these claims and knows how to prove property owner negligence.
Why Choose Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP for Your Premises Liability Case in Rockville Centre, NY?
Extensive Premises Liability Experience
Premises liability cases require understanding of property law, building codes, safety standards, and negligence principles. We know what evidence proves property owners knew or should have known about dangerous conditions, and we know how to counter the defenses they raise.
Martin Schiowitz has handled premises liability cases for over 50 years. He co-founded this firm in 1978 and has pursued claims against property owners, landlords, businesses, and municipalities throughout his career. Martin is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. His peers have selected him as a Super Lawyer, recognition given to the top 5% of attorneys.
Jeremy Schiowitz has represented injury victims for over 16 years. He handles complex premises liability claims requiring investigation of maintenance records, building code compliance, and prior complaints. Jeremy graduated from Brooklyn Law School and holds licenses in New York and New Jersey. The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys named him one of the 10 Best Attorneys in New York.
When you need a personal injury attorney in Rockville Centre for a property injury, experience with premises liability matters.
Proven Results in Premises Liability
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims in premises liability cases. We’ve secured $1.2 million in one case, $925,000 in another, $700,000, $570,000, and multiple additional recoveries exceeding $300,000. These results demonstrate we know how to build and win premises liability claims.
Thorough Investigation
Proving premises liability requires evidence that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. We investigate maintenance schedules, inspection logs, prior complaints, surveillance footage, and employee testimony. We retain engineers and safety experts when appropriate. This investigation often determines case outcomes.
Contingency Fee Representation
Our payment comes from a percentage of your recovery. If we don’t win, you owe no attorney fees.
What Our Clients Say
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“I was recommended to this law firm by a good friend of mine and that’s the best decision I have made. The level of professionalism, trustworthiness and courtesy is impressive. Jeremy works above and beyond to get my case settled. He always takes time to keep me informed. I highly recommend this law firm to anyone for their knowledge and professionalism.” — Malickgsow Sow
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Rockville Centre
Premises liability covers injuries occurring on property due to unsafe conditions. We represent people injured in many different scenarios.
- Slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, torn carpeting, and other conditions cause people to slip or trip and fall. These are the most common premises liability claims. Understanding what to do after a slip and fall protects your rights.
- Snow and ice injuries. Property owners must clear snow and ice within reasonable timeframes. Failure to properly maintain walkways and parking lots creates liability. Understanding liability for ice injuries helps evaluate these claims.
- Inadequate security claims. When criminal assaults occur due to inadequate lighting, broken locks, missing security personnel, or other security failures, property owners may be liable. These claims require proving the crime was foreseeable.
- Dog bite injuries. New York imposes strict liability on dog owners for medical costs and partial liability for other damages when their dogs bite. Property owners who allow dangerous dogs on premises may share liability.
- Swimming pool accidents. Drownings and near-drownings occur due to inadequate fencing, missing lifeguards, faulty drains, and other hazards. Pool owners bear responsibility for maintaining safe conditions.
- Elevator and escalator injuries. Mechanical failures, sudden stops, and maintenance neglect cause falls and crush injuries. Building owners and maintenance companies share responsibility.
- Falling objects. Merchandise falling from shelves, construction debris, and poorly secured items cause head injuries and other trauma. Retailers and property owners must secure items properly.
- Toxic exposure. Mold, lead paint, asbestos, and other hazardous materials cause illness when property owners fail to address them properly.
- Construction site injuries. Property owners and contractors may be liable for injuries to workers and visitors on construction sites.
- Nursing home injuries. Care facilities that fail to maintain safe conditions for residents bear premises liability in addition to negligence claims.
New York Premises Liability Law
Understanding the legal framework helps you evaluate your premises liability claim.
Duty of Care
Property owners owe different duties depending on why you were on their property. Business invitees, such as customers in stores, are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners must maintain safe conditions, regularly inspect for hazards, and either correct dangerous conditions or warn visitors of them.
Licensees, such as social guests, are owed a duty to warn of known hazards. Trespassers are generally owed only a duty not to be intentionally harmed, with exceptions for child trespassers under the attractive nuisance doctrine.
Notice Requirements
To hold a property owner liable, you must typically prove they had notice of the dangerous condition. Notice can be actual, meaning they knew about the hazard, or constructive, meaning the condition existed long enough that reasonable inspection would have discovered it.
Insurance companies aggressively challenge notice in premises cases. They argue the hazard just developed, that no one reported it, or that the property owner had no reason to know. Proving notice requires investigation into maintenance practices, inspection schedules, and prior complaints about similar conditions.
Comparative Negligence
New York follows comparative fault rules under CPLR Section 1411. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. Defense attorneys argue injured people weren’t watching where they walked, ignored warning signs, or wore inappropriate footwear.
Statute of Limitations
Most premises liability claims must be filed within three years under CPLR Section 214. Claims against municipalities for dangerous sidewalks or public property require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law Section 50-e. Understanding the statute of limitations protects your rights.
Building Code Violations
Building code violations can establish negligence. If a property owner violated codes regarding handrails, lighting, exits, or other safety requirements, that violation supports your claim.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Rockville Centre Premises Liability Cases
Property injuries range from minor to catastrophic. Your compensation depends on injury severity and impact.
Medical Expenses
You may recover compensation for all medical treatment related to your injuries, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Understanding what happens when medical bills exceed settlements helps with planning.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
You may recover compensation for income lost during recovery. If permanent injuries affect your ability to work, future lost earning capacity is also compensable.
Pain and Suffering
You may recover compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic harms. Calculating pain and suffering value involves injury severity and life impact.
Wrongful Death
When premises injuries prove fatal, surviving family members may have wrongful death claims.
Common Premises Liability Injuries
Property injuries vary widely based on the type of hazard. Common injuries include the following.
Traumatic brain injuries. Falls and falling objects cause head trauma. Understanding what to expect with brain injuries helps victims.
Fractures. Broken hips, wrists, ankles, and other bones are common in falls. Rib fracture compensation varies based on severity.
Spinal injuries. Falls can cause herniated discs, compression fractures, and spinal cord damage.
Soft tissue injuries. Torn ligaments, damaged tendons, and muscle injuries require surgery and rehabilitation.
Burns. Fire, electrical, and chemical hazards cause burn injuries requiring extensive treatment.
Drowning and near-drowning. Pool accidents cause death and brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
Assault injuries. Inadequate security claims involve physical and psychological injuries from criminal attacks.
Steps to Take After a Property Injury in Rockville Centre
Your actions after being injured on someone’s property affect your claim.
Report the incident. Tell the property owner, manager, or employee what happened. Request a written incident report and get a copy.
Document the hazard. Photograph what caused your injury before anyone has a chance to fix it. Capture the condition, lighting, and surrounding area.
Get witness information. Names and contact information from anyone who saw the hazard or witnessed your injury.
Seek medical attention. Get evaluated promptly. Medical records connect your injuries to the incident.
Preserve evidence. Your clothing and shoes may be relevant. Don’t wash or discard them.
Don’t give recorded statements. Insurance adjusters will call. Be aware of adjuster tactics designed to minimize claims.
Contact a premises liability attorney. Hiring an attorney early protects evidence and your rights.
Premises Liability Statistics
Property injuries affect millions of Americans annually.
According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in the United States. Over 8 million people visit emergency rooms for fall injuries each year.
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and the primary cause of lost work days.
According to OSHA, slips, trips, and falls cause significant workplace injuries. Commercial properties see similar hazards affecting customers and visitors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks injuries occurring on commercial and industrial properties. Falls on the same level cause hundreds of thousands of injuries requiring time away from work annually.
Rockville Centre Premises Liability Lawyer FAQs
How do I prove the property owner knew about the hazard?
Evidence includes maintenance logs, inspection records, prior complaints, surveillance footage, and witness statements. We investigate thoroughly to establish notice.
What if I was partially at fault for my injury?
New York’s comparative negligence law reduces your recovery by your fault percentage but doesn’t eliminate your claim. You can still recover for the property owner’s share of responsibility.
How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit?
Three years for most claims. Claims against government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
What if there was a warning sign?
Warning signs don’t automatically defeat claims. The sign must be adequate, visible, and the hazard must be one a reasonable person could avoid despite the warning.
Can I sue a landlord for injuries in my apartment?
Landlords have duties to maintain common areas and address hazardous conditions in units they’re notified about. Whether you have a claim depends on circumstances.
What about injuries on public property?
Claims against municipalities have special rules including 90-day notice requirements and, for sidewalks, prior written notice requirements.
How much is my premises liability case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, and permanent limitations. Looking at typical settlement amounts provides context.
Do I need an attorney for a premises liability case?
These cases require proving notice, which is often contested. Insurance companies fight premises claims aggressively. Experienced representation significantly improves outcomes.
What evidence is most important?
Photos of the hazardous condition taken immediately after the incident are often the most valuable evidence.
Do you handle cases outside Rockville Centre?
Yes. We represent premises liability victims throughout Nassau County, Long Island, and New York City.
Local Resources for Rockville Centre Premises Liability Victims
Medical Services:
- Mercy Hospital, Rockville Centre, (516) 705-2525
- Mount Sinai South Nassau, Oceanside, (516) 632-3000
Law Enforcement:
- Rockville Centre Police Department, (516) 766-1500
Government:
- Village of Rockville Centre, (516) 678-9300
Disclaimer: These resources are provided for informational purposes only. Listing does not constitute an endorsement by Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP.
Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience handling personal injury and premises liability cases. We understand what evidence proves these claims and know how to counter defense tactics. During your free consultation, we’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment. If you decide to proceed, we handle everything on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we win. Contact us today to discuss your premises liability claim.
