Syracuse Premises Liability
Lawyer

From the bustling shopping districts of Armory Square and Destiny USA to Marshall Street near Syracuse University or Syracuse Hancock International Airport, accidents can happen anywhere in our city. Property owners and managers throughout Onondaga County have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions.

If you were injured because someone else’s property was unsafe, you may be able to hold them accountable for their negligence. Whether you were injured in a store, at a school, in a parking lot, or at another person’s home, a Syracuse premises liability lawyer can investigate the incident and find out who is liable for your injuries.

At Catalano Law, it’s our goal to get you the money you deserve. Contact our Syracuse premises liability attorneys to learn more about how we can help you find justice.

Understanding Premises Liability

Premises liability is the legal concept that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur because their property was unsafe, and they failed to take measures to warn people or to make their property safer.

Common types of premises liability cases in the Syracuse area include:

• Slip-and-Fall Accidents: These may involve slipping on a wet spill at a grocery store like Wegmans, falling over an uneven sidewalk, or slipping on an icy walkway.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Swimming pool owners are responsible for pool maintenance and proper fencing to prevent accidents. In a recent tragic case, a six-year-old girl walked out of her home and drowned in a Utica pool.
• Falling Object or Structural Failure Accidents: People may become injured by objects falling off high shelves or poorly maintained buildings collapsing on them.
• Negligent Security Cases: If there is not enough security in a high-risk area, such as a retail location parking lot or nightclub, the owner could be held liable for thefts or assaults that occur there.
• Dog Bite and Animal Attack Cases: People who are injured by someone’s pet may be able to hold the pet owner liable, especially if the animal was not secured well. This is what happened in the case of one postal worker in Onondaga County, who was attacked by a 70-pound dog upon making a delivery.

Property owners can refer to those owning residential or commercial property. Even the government could be held responsible if the accident occurred in a government-managed building or a public park in Syracuse.

Standards of Care in Premises Liability Cases

The standard of care that property owners owe to their visitors can differ based on the type of property. Owners of businesses have a different standard of care than homeowners. Similarly, the standard of care differs based on the type of visitor to the property.

• Invitees: These visitors are customers in a business or a public place.
• Licensees: These are people who are allowed on a property, such as someone visiting a friend’s home.
• Trespassers: These are visitors who are not invited or even allowed on the property.

Invitees are owed the highest duty of care. Licensees ought to be warned about any unsafe conditions on the property. Trespassers are not owed the same level of care, with the exception of children.

Recovering Losses in a Premises Liability Case

Damages, or losses, in a premises liability case in Syracuse are considered either economic or non-economic. Economic losses include:

• Medical expenses, including ongoing rehabilitation and therapy, medication, and future medical costs
• Lost wages due to recovering from the injury
• Inability to earn wages in the future
• Property damage

Non-economic losses include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Permanent disability

Note that according to New York State legislation, the comparative negligence rule allows injured people to file a claim even if they were partially responsible for the injury. If they are determined to be 40% at fault for the incident, they could still receive 60% of the total compensation.

Our experienced attorneys are here to help determine the total amount of losses and pursue maximum financial compensation in negotiations or in court.

How Can a Syracuse Premises Liability Lawyer Help?

Each premises liability case is unique, which means our lawyers tailor their approach to the individual case. Throughout the entire process, you should expect compassion, support, and communication from your lawyer.

At Catalano Law, we also have strong working relationships with local healthcare providers. We can refer you to quality care available through Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health, and a variety of specialists—whether you need immediate emergency treatment, orthopedic care, or ongoing rehabilitation services. In addition, we can ensure your medical records are properly documented to support your claim.

We begin most cases with a thorough investigation of the accident. Aside from gathering your medical reports, this may involve interviewing eyewitnesses to the incident, talking to the property owners, pulling property maintenance reports, and consulting with property inspectors or subject experts.

Our premises liability attorneys can also handle all correspondence with insurance companies. Insurance companies may want to move quickly, offering you a lowball settlement. Our skilled lawyers ensure that negotiations are fair.

Filing a Premises Liability Claim in New York

There is a statute of limitations of three years for filing a premises liability claim in New York. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident to file the claim.

However, we recommend seeking a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure not only all deadlines are met, but also all evidence is preserved.

Discuss Your Premises Liability Case With a Syracuse Lawyer

An injury that occurred on someone else’s property doesn’t have to leave you feeling hopeless and struggling financially. A Syracuse premises liability lawyer at Catalano Law could help you pursue compensation for your losses.

Reach out today to schedule your free consultation. We are here to help.