New York City Premises Liability Lawyers

Are You in Need of a New York City Premises Liability Lawyer?

If you were injured on someone else’s property in New York City, you may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability claim. These cases arise when a property owner, landlord, or management company fails to maintain a safe environment, and someone is hurt as a result. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our experienced New York City premises liability lawyers have successfully recovered compensation for victims injured in unsafe buildings, on poorly maintained sidewalks, on slippery floors, and more.

Why Choose Us Over Other Premises Liability Attorneys in NYC?

At WRSMH, we combine legal strength, courtroom experience, and client-focused service to get results. Here's what sets us apart:

Over $2 Billion Recovered for Clients – Our track record includes hundreds of substantial verdicts and settlements.
More than 50 Years of Proven Legal Service – We’ve helped generations of New Yorkers seek justice and financial recovery.
Named to "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News & World Report – Our national recognition is backed by decades of successful outcomes.
Avvo Rated 10.0/10.0 Superb – Our reputation for client satisfaction and legal excellence is well-established.
Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine – Many of our attorneys have been recognized based on peer reviews and independent research.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case – You only pay if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Extensive Trial and Settlement Success – We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, and insurance companies know it.

Notable Premises Liability Cases

Fall due to leaky ceiling: $2.57 million

Construction worker slip and fall: $8 million

Construction site slip and fall: $4.5 million

Contact WRSMH Today for a Free Consultation

Don’t face the property owner's insurance company alone. Call WRSMH at (212) 986-7353 to work with a legal team that has been standing up for New Yorkers for over 50 years.

"...We truly felt like a priority and appreciated their dedication. Thank you for fighting for us and delivering such a positive outcome!"
- N.N.R. from Google

Do You Have a Legitimate Case?

To have a viable premises liability claim in New York, we must prove:

The property owner or responsible party owed you a duty of care
They breached that duty by failing to maintain safe conditions
That breach directly caused your injury
You suffered actual damages as a result

For example, if you slipped on a wet supermarket floor with no warning signs, or if you were injured by broken stairs in a poorly maintained apartment building, you may have a strong case.

The best way to know if you have a strong premises liability claim is to contact an experienced New York City premises liability attorney. Your attorney can analyze the facts of your case and help you decide if you should pursue a lawsuit.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for accidents and injuries that occur due to unsafe or defective conditions on their property. In New York, owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of any hazards that are not obvious. If they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, property owners may be held financially responsible.

Premises liability applies to:

Private property (homes, condos, apartment buildings)
Commercial property (stores, restaurants, hotels)
Public property (parks, subway stations, sidewalks)

What's the Legal Process for a Premises Liability Claim?

Premises liability claims follow a series of legal steps. Working with a law firm like WRSMH ensures that each of these steps is handled correctly and that no deadlines or opportunities are missed.

Seek Medical Attention and Report the Injury

Your health comes first. Seek medical care immediately. Then, report the accident to the property owner or manager and ask for a written incident report if available.

Consult an Attorney

Reach out to a New York City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. We offer free consultations to assess the strength of your case and discuss your rights.

Investigation and Evidence Collection

Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP will investigate how the accident occurred by collecting security footage, photographs, witness statements, inspection records, maintenance logs, and other evidence.

File a Claim or Lawsuit

We file a claim with the property owner’s insurance or directly initiate a lawsuit if necessary.

Negotiation

Our attorneys will aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement.

Litigation

If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, we are fully prepared to take the case to trial.

Types of Premises Liability Injuries

Injuries sustained on unsafe properties can range from mild to catastrophic. Common injuries involved in NYC premises liability claims include:

Broken bones and fractures
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Back and spinal cord injuries
Cuts, lacerations, and facial injuries
Burns and electrical shock injuries
Knee, ankle, and wrist injuries from falls
Internal bleeding and organ damage

Damages in a New York City Premises Liability Claim

Victims of unsafe property conditions are entitled to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Our NYC premises liability attorneys fight to recover damages such as:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
Cost of assistive devices or home modifications
Reduced quality of life

In rare cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the property owner and deter similar conduct.

Unsafe Conditions Cause Serious Injuries

If a broken stair, faulty handrail, or ceiling collapse caused your injury, WRSMH is ready to step in. Call us at (212) 986-7353 for a no-cost case evaluation.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Premises liability claims can be complicated. Property owners and insurers may deny responsibility, claim the victim was at fault, or argue that the hazard was “open and obvious.” Without legal representation, it is easy to feel outmatched.

When you hire WRSMH, we:

Conduct a thorough investigation of the scene and accident details
Identify all responsible parties
Secure expert witnesses if necessary (e.g., engineers, safety consultants)
Handle all communication with insurance companies
Calculate the full value of your losses
Build a compelling case and prepare for trial if needed

Our firm has the resources and reputation to handle even the most challenging premises liability cases. We level the playing field for injured New Yorkers.

Proving Liability

Depending on the type of accident, you may be unsure whether it occurred because of clumsiness on your part or a dangerous property condition. The first thing to consider is whether the property owner caused the safety hazard, knew about it and did nothing, or should have known about it. If the answer is yes to any of those, you may have a valid premises liability case.

Liability will often depend on how regularly and thoroughly the property owner maintains the premises. Common signs of property owner negligence include the following:

Inadequate lighting
Broken or uneven steps
Loose rugs or flooring
Malfunctioning elevators
Failure to provide security measures against criminal activity
Cluttered walkways
Failure to warn others of hazardous conditions or dangerous substances

Premises injury accidents can occur in a variety of locations, such as apartments, office buildings, parking structures, shopping malls, and schools. The most common type of premises liability cases involve slip and fall accidents. Speak with an experienced lawyer at WRSMH to discuss whether you have a legitimate claim against a property owner.

Where Do Premises Liability Injuries Occur

Unfortunately, premises liability injury accidents can happen in various locations. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP has handled thousands of premises liability cases. Here are some of the locations we most often see connected with premises liability injuries:

Public transportation (buses and trains)
Supermarkets
Retail stores
Office buildings
Sports stadiums
Parking lots and garages
Public sidewalks
Schools
Subway platforms

Who is Liable if an Injury Occurs on Public Property?

The municipal entity charged with constructing and maintaining that property
A private entity contracted to maintain that property
The manufacturer of a faulty product on the property

Other Locations We Serve in New York

What Clients Are Saying About Us

Thank you to the amazing attorneys-David Kleinhandler (5-Star Google Review)

Thank you to the amazing attorneys at Wingate Russotti Shapiro & Halperin LLP. I had tripped on a cracked sidewalk a few years ago and suffered bad facial bruising and a broken nose. I wasn't expecting much in the way of monies. In fact I had almost forgotten all about this. I was completely shocked when the attorney called and said they had settled with all defendants for a significant amount of money.

I highly recommend this firm. They were so pleasant and easy and accomodating to work with. They handle all types of personal injury cases. Thank you!!!

They were very professional in handling my case-Luis Olivares (5-Star Google Review)

Our experience with this law firm was very very very very good. They took care of all my needs and they were very professional in handling my case and I was happy with my reward. I would like to encourage anyone who might need a good law firm to use them.

Case Results

$1.9 Million Dollar Settlement for Woman Who Fell Through Stairs

Bryce Moses represented a woman in her 60’s who upon returning home fell through the landing of the staircase leading up to her apartment. The owner of the building denied having any knowledge of the defect in the landing despite the fact he was overseeing the construction taking place. Following a liability verdict at trial, Bryce settled the case for 1.9 Million.

$1,750,000 Settlement NY Pedestrian Accident

Phil Russotti settled a personal injury case for $1,750,000 following jury selection. Our client, a 43-year-old woman, was hit by a car when she stepped into the roadway to check for an approaching bus. The defendant was partially parked in a bus stop and did not see our client before reversing. Although she stumbled but did not fall, she sustained significant injuries. She had initial neck and back pain, which worsened due to preexisting spondylolisthesis and Pars defects, necessitating lumbar surgery. Additionally, she suffered cervical herniations requiring cervical fusion surgery. The defendant argued mirror use and plaintiff negligence, while the plaintiff maintained the failure of reverse light signals prompted her to step into the street, asserting proper rearward observation by the defendant could have prevented the incident.

Speak With a Trusted Premises Liability Attorney in New York City

If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe property conditions in New York City, don’t wait. The attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP are here to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We have the experience, reputation, and resources to stand up to negligent property owners, landlords, corporations, and municipalities.

Call (212) 986-7353 to learn more today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a premises liability case?

A premises liability case arises when someone is injured due to a hazardous condition on property owned or maintained by another party. These cases often involve slip-and-falls, structural failures, or building code violations.

Do I have a case if I was injured in a fall on someone else's property?

If your injury was caused by unsafe conditions, such as broken stairs, poor lighting, or wet floors, you may have grounds for a claim.

What types of premises liability cases does WRSMH handle?

Our firm handles a wide range of premises liability claims in NYC, including trip-and-fall accidents, elevator malfunctions, ceiling collapses, falling objects, and unsafe construction site conditions.

How do I prove the property owner was at fault?

Premises liability cases require showing that the owner or manager either caused the dangerous condition or failed to address it in a reasonable amount of time. At WRSMH, we work with investigators, building code experts, and engineers to build a strong case.

What should I do immediately after a premises accident?

Seek medical attention right away, report the incident to the property owner or manager, and if possible, take photos of the hazardous condition. Then, contact a law firm like WRSMH to preserve evidence and assess your legal options.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in New York?

In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity is involved, notice must be filed within 90 days, so it’s important to act quickly.

Will my case go to trial?

While many premises liability claims settle outside of court, WRSMH prepares every case for the possibility of trial to ensure we are ready to secure the strongest outcome possible.

How much does it cost to hire WRSMH for a premises case?

We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Meet Our Attorneys

Philip Anthony Russotti

Philip A. Russotti is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. In his role at the firm, Phil ensures that every case he handles is prepared with the same rigor, leveraging a full complement of expert witnesses and trial resources. Phil has been a driving force at WRSMH.

Kenneth J. Halperin

Kenneth J. Halperin is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. He handles a broad spectrum of cases. Ken is known for his rigorous case management and trial ready approach, working personally with clients from the start through resolution or verdict. He has obtained significant verdicts and settlements in high stakes construction and premises cases.

Bryce Moses

Bryce Moses is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, where he represents people who have been seriously injured. He has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients throughout New York City. Ken has built a reputation as a tenacious courtroom advocate and a strategic negotiator.

Clifford H. Shapiro

Clifford Harlan Shapiro is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, where he practices personal injury law. Cliff handles a broad range of serious injury and wrongful death cases. Known for his skill in negotiation, he plays an active role in resolving cases through early settlement when possible.