Personal injury laws in New York State, as well as the laws in other states, are designed to protect those who suffer accidental injuries. A personal injury is a physical or mental harm to a person caused by the negligence or harmful action of some other party. The general factors in determining if you have a valid personal injury claim in any state are:
- You have been injured
- Your injury was caused by the wrongdoing or negligence of another party
Many other factors contribute to personal injury cases, and every situation where personal injuries occur is different. If you have specific questions about your personal injury, you should contact the Law Offices of Littman and Babiarz, personal injury attorneys in Auburn, Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira, New York.
Does it Matter Where My Personal Injury Occurred?
In a broad sense, it does not matter where you were when you suffered a personal injury. Public buildings and spaces or private locations all have a reasonable expectation to be safe. This concept is referred to as premises liability. In general, a property owner has a duty to reasonably protect the public from injury on his or her property. If you suffer an injury because the premises owner failed to meet that duty, you may have a case.
What if I’ve Been Injured in a Store or Commercial Parking Lot?
Commercial property owners in New York State have a legal responsibility to ensure that their property is safe. If you have fallen and suffered an injury on a parking lot or in a commercial building, you must be able to prove it was due to an unsafe condition and that the property owner was at fault. The Law Offices of Littman and Babiarz, personal injury attorneys serving Auburn, Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira, can provide more information.
This not only concerns falls or accidents. For example, shopping malls are responsible for reasonable security, such as adequate lighting and security staff. If other crimes were committed, and you were injured, this could demonstrate a pattern of criminal activity of which the owner would have been aware, and should have provided additional security to counteract. Therefore, the property owner could be held responsible for injuries suffered by innocent parties during the crime.
What if I’ve Fallen on Someone’s Private Property, such as a Home?
Under New York law, property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property in a way that prevents guests or visitors from being injured. Littman and Babiarz, personal injury lawyers in Auburn, Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira, can help you with specific questions. The following factors would be considered to determine liability or negligence when determining if you had a valid personal injury case:
- Did the owner make clear to you the poor condition of the property that caused your injuries?
- Did the owner have a reasonable amount of time to fix or warn people of the condition?
- Was the owner aware of the dangerous condition?
- Would it be reasonable to expect the owner to have been aware of the condition?
- Was the condition of the property obviously dangerous?
If it can be proven that the owner was negligent in his or her duty to provide a reasonably safe place for visitors and guests, then you have a valid personal injury case. Simply tripping over your own feet on a level surface is not reason enough for a personal injury case.
What if I Suffer a Personal Injury While on Vacation?
Whether you are seriously injured and require treatment near your vacation location, need to cut your trip short, or you start to notice symptoms after you return home, you should talk to a personal injury attorney. The Law Offices of Littman and Babiarz, personal injury lawyers in Auburn, Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira, can help you decide if you have a valid claim. They can help you clarify issues of liability and give you information about jurisdictions. If Littman and Babiarz do not work in the jurisdiction in question, they can recommend someone who can take on your claim.
When you need reliable, compassionate personal injury lawyers in the Central New York region, turn to Littman and Babiarz. If you believe you have a personal injury claim, we can investigate your situation and advise you how to proceed. Call the Law Offices of Littman & Babiarz right away at 607-277-7527 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.