Premises Liability & Slip and Fall Claims
Property owners in New York have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for anyone lawfully on their property — customers, visitors, tenants, and in some cases trespassers. When they fail that duty and someone is injured, they can be held liable. Arden Law Firm represents clients injured on commercial properties, apartment buildings, retail stores, restaurants, sidewalks, and public spaces throughout Brooklyn and New York City.
Establishing Property Owner Negligence
The key question in any premises liability case is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it in a reasonable time. This is called "constructive notice." We investigate how long the hazard existed, whether it had been reported, what the owner's maintenance procedures were, and whether any prior incidents occurred at the same location. We also pursue direct notice cases — where the owner or their employees created the dangerous condition themselves.
Common Hazardous Conditions
Dangerous conditions that lead to slip and fall injuries include wet or slippery floors without adequate warning, uneven or broken pavement and sidewalks, inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, or parking lots, loose or broken stairs and handrails, snow and ice accumulation, torn or bunched carpeting, and negligent spills in retail environments. These are not accidents — they are the result of someone failing to maintain a safe environment.
Documenting and Preserving Evidence
Slip and fall evidence deteriorates quickly. Property owners repair conditions, lose surveillance footage, and dispute prior knowledge. Arden Law Firm moves immediately to photograph the scene, identify and interview witnesses, obtain incident reports, and send preservation letters to prevent destruction of surveillance video. The sooner we are retained, the stronger the case.
New York's Notice of Claim Requirements
If your fall occurred on municipal property — a New York City sidewalk, subway station, or public park — you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident as a condition of suing the city. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. Arden Law Firm ensures all procedural requirements are met without exception.