If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in New York City, you may be wondering how long the property owner had to fix the dangerous condition that caused your accident. Was it a broken stair? A wet floor? An icy sidewalk that hadn’t been salted? These situations can lead to serious injuries, and they raise important questions about legal responsibility. Continue reading and reach out to a knowledgeable Manhattan slip and fall lawyer from the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What Is Considered a “Dangerous Condition?”
A dangerous condition can be almost anything on a property that creates an unreasonable risk of harm. This could include cracked sidewalks, poor lighting in stairwells, or even clutter in walkways. The key issue in these cases is whether the property owner knew about the hazard, or should have known about it, and failed to address it in a timely manner.
New York law requires property owners to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for anyone legally on the property. That includes not only homeowners and landlords, but also business owners, building managers, and even some tenants. The law does not expect perfection, but it does expect action when a safety issue arises.
How Much Time Does a Property Owner Have to Act?
There is no specific number of minutes or hours written into the law. Instead, the question of how long a property owner has to fix a dangerous condition depends on what’s known as the “reasonable time” standard. This means the owner or person in control of the property must address the issue within a time frame that a reasonable person would consider fair, based on the circumstances.
For example, if someone spills a drink in a supermarket and you slip on it five seconds later, the store likely didn’t have enough time to discover the spill and clean it up. However, if that spill remained for 30 minutes with employees walking by and ignoring it, the store may be held liable for failing to act. Courts will look at whether the property owner had actual knowledge of the hazard or whether they should have known about it through regular inspection.
Surveillance footage, cleaning logs, witness testimony, and other evidence can be vital in proving how long the condition existed and whether the response was reasonable.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Injured?
If you are hurt due to a hazardous condition, your first step should always be to seek medical attention. Not only is this important for your health, but it also documents your injuries. If possible, take photos of the scene, including what caused your fall or injury. Report the incident to the property owner or manager right away and ask for a copy of any written report.
Then, speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer. An attorney familiar with New York City premises liability law can review your case, gather evidence, and help you understand whether the property owner failed to act within a reasonable time.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call (212) 421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a slip & fall lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.
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