There are stairways in the State of New York fraught with real life hazards that could cause serious injury. From snow covered exterior stairways to indoor staircases that have fallen into disrepair, stairs in and around rental properties can be more dangerous than some might expect.
Who is Responsible for Maintaining Stairways Throughout Rental Properties?
By law, property owners are obligated to insure the safety of their premises. They have a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that their property is in a state that will not cause harm to others.
People who have been invited onto the property – these could be customers, employees, tenants or guests – have a right to hold the property owner accountable in the event that an unsafe stairway or other aspect of the premises causes personal injury. (more…)
With the winter season upon us, trees often become heavy with snow and ice, sometimes causing large limbs to snap and fall to the ground. With high winds and heavy snow, entire trees may topple over.
With the winter season upon us, we are reminded of the unique challenges that face drivers in the Northeast. Unfortunately, many drivers either forget or ignore the effects of snow and ice on roads. Their failure to adapt to winter driving conditions can lead to rear-end collisions, “spin outs,” or skidding into other lanes or off the road. This 
Slip and fall accidents are unfortunately common, and they can happen anyplace, anytime.
“No animal, according to the rules of animal-etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter.” Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
Clients frequently ask whether their claim will one day end up in a courtroom, before a judge and jury. Many clients are understandably nervous over that prospect.
As a participant in a lawsuit, you are required to provide testimony at a deposition (also often called an “Examination Before Trial”). Depositions are traditionally conducted in an attorney’s conference room, and involve only the parties, their attorneys, and a court reporter. At this stage, there is no judge or jury present.
Most NY automobile accidents initially do not appear to be severe. In a simple “fender bender” that causes seemingly minimal damage to vehicles and no evident injuries, your initial instinct may be to not report the accident to the police or an insurance carrier. Perhaps the responsible driver may suggest, “Lets deal with this ourselves…” or “There’s no need to get insurance involved…”
Dog attacks often result in serious injuries. They can also be incredibly traumatizing, leaving victims feeling frazzled in the immediate aftermath and long afterwards.
