Every property owner in the Bronx, whether it's a landlord, a shopkeeper, or the manager of a housing complex, has a legal duty to make sure their space doesn’t become a trap for people just going about their day. The law says they must take reasonable steps to prevent hazards. That could mean clearing snow, fixing broken stairs, or putting up proper warning signs when there’s a leak.
If you or someone you know gets injured on someone else’s property in a case like this, talking to an experienced Bronx premises liability attorney can make all the difference.
Let’s break down the actual ways people tend to get injured on someone else's property. These aren’t just random accidents. In a lot of cases, they could have been prevented.
This is the big one. Slip and fall injuries happen fast and can lead to broken bones, concussions, or worse. In places like stores, apartment buildings, and restaurants, the usual culprits are wet floors, icy walkways, torn carpets, and dim lighting.
If a store owner knows their entrance gets slippery when it rains but doesn’t lay down mats or put up signs, that’s on them.
This includes a wide range of dangers: falling ceiling tiles, loose railings, broken steps, faulty elevators, you name it. Property owners are expected to regularly inspect and maintain their premises. If something breaks and they ignore it, any injury caused by that can fall on them.
Dog owners are held strictly responsible if their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog has bitten before. If a visitor gets attacked by a dog on someone’s property, the owner might be liable for the medical bills, pain, and everything else that follows.
Some injuries come from issues that aren’t immediately visible or don’t seem obvious until someone gets hurt.
Say you're in a parking garage that’s poorly lit, with no cameras or security patrols. If you get attacked or robbed there, you might think the criminal is the only one to blame.
But the property owner could also be held liable. Why? Because they didn’t provide basic security, even though crime in that area might’ve been predictable.
Retail stores and warehouses are notorious for this. Items that are stacked too high or placed carelessly can fall and injure customers. If a box comes crashing down because an employee stored it wrong, that’s a failure in keeping the premises safe.
Stairwells, parking lots, and hallways that aren’t well-lit can be dangerous. If you can’t see a step clearly and fall because the light bulb has been out for weeks, that's a maintenance issue. And maintenance is the property owner’s job.
Injuries on someone else’s property can be confusing. Here's what to do right away to protect your case:
