The establishment of state laws provides guidelines that commercial, municipal, and private landowners must abide by in order to protect citizens and stay within the law. As residents, we assume that owners of a variety of properties will do their best to prevent and remove hazards that could lead to injuries. Unfortunately, negligence of property owners can lead to injuries, causing some individuals to suffer debilitating consequences. Property owners can be held accountable for someone’s accident if they failed to keep a safe premises. According to federal law, a property owner is responsible for removing unsafe conditions within a reasonable amount of time after learning about it or should have known about the existence of the hazard previously.

What property hazards can cause injuries?

Some notable hazards that can lead to injuries include:

  •         Weather-related conditions, including uncleared ice and snow
  •         Aggressive dogs not confined by a leash or fence
  •         Slippery or noxious substances
  •         Obstacles that obscure a driver’s view
  •         Violations of building codes
  •         Discarded objects left accessible to children

Property hazards can cause a multitude of accidents, including slip and falls, dog attacks, car crashes, exposure to violent crimes, and more. Depending on the circumstances, you can suffer a multitude of injuries, including head and back injuries, dog bites that lead to permanent nerve and muscle damage, poisoning, and death. With premises liability accidents, these cases can even be attributed to inadequate security standards.

Does an investigation take place?

For these types of personal injury cases, you have to establish the burden of proof to prove liability. You will need to prove that the property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the hazard that was present. If they had reasonably known about the issue, had a reasonable amount of time and ignored the issue, you may be able to win your case. If you have been seriously injured, you need to seek medical attention. This can help to document the extent of your injuries for your case. If you are able to collect evidence to document your surroundings or talk with witnesses that can support your claim, you should take the time to do so. Especially when faced with a slip and fall or car accident based on a weather-related condition, if you have a phone camera, you should take pictures of the conditions as they can change within minutes. If you are attacked by a dog, document the owner’s name, address, and type of dog. If you are unable to collect evidence, an attorney can assist with the process.

The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.