Get the Compensation That You Deserve

According to the National Safety Council, accidental injury is now the third-highest cause of death in America. In 2016, over 161,000 accidental injuries resulted in death, a 10 percent increase over the prior year. That same year, there were over 44.5 million non-fatal injuries. The National Safety Council also recently reported that accidental deaths hit the highest number in recorded American history.

These statistics obviously encompass a broad array of accidents and injuries, which can be further analyzed by the type of injury. For victims, however, where the accident occurred can be every bit as important as what kind of injuries were sustained. What happens when you are injured on someone else’s property? We commonly discuss premises liability claims as they relate to common slip, trip, and fall accidents, but there are other contexts that require special consideration.

The attorneys at Russo Law LLP help people injured on someone else’s property obtain the compensation they deserve so that they can get back on their feet. If you’ve been injured and want to discuss your options, call us at (914) 266-2722 for a FREE same-day consultation and learn how we can help.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

According to a 2017 report issued by the New York City Department of Buildings, there are over 84,000 elevators and escalators in New York City, more than any other city in America. Elevators and escalators are sophisticated machines that include a considerable number of moving parts that can fail in a number of different ways. Elevator and escalator accidents can be caused by the following issues:

• Overcrowding
• Failure to conduct regular inspections
• Lack of proper maintenance
• Defective design or construction
• Door malfunctions
• Sudden drops, stops, or other motion malfunctions
• Electrical failures and fires

Any of these issues or unsafe conditions can lead to serious injury. Escalator and elevator accidents can be very complicated because there are multiple parties that may be at fault for your injury. For example, the property owner may have failed to conduct routine inspections or make necessary repairs. Alternatively, the property owner probably hired an elevator and escalator servicing company to perform inspections and maintain the equipment and will claim that the servicing company failed to do its job. Another option is that the accident may have been caused by a defective design or improper construction and installation of the equipment. It can be quite difficult for non-lawyers to figure how who is the party that should be held responsible for their injuries.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pools can be a great source of fun, relaxation, and even exercise. Unfortunately, they are also the sites of many unfortunate and serious accidents. Whether it’s a hotel, resort, private home, or public facility, property owners are obligated to make sure their pool is safe for their guests and even children who may be there without permission. Property owners can be liable for injuries and deaths in the following instances:

• Insecure access due to inadequate fencing or gates
• Inadequate signage warning of potential hazards
• Too few lifeguards or lifeguards who lack sufficient training and necessary certifications
• Missing or malfunctioning safety equipment

It’s important to keep in mind that there are many serious injuries that can take place at a swimming pool in addition to drowning. Head and neck injuries sustained while diving are common injuries, but guests may also suffer heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. In the event of a medical emergency, the pool owner may be held liable if the staff on duty failed to quickly and properly administer medical aid or otherwise provide assistance.

Possible Hazards at Entertainment Venues

Many people love attending a sporting event or concert at one of the many fantastic venues here in the Big Apple. However, people rarely consider the hidden dangers that are present at those events, dangers that the venue owner has a duty to minimize. In addition to the usual trip-and-fall safety concerns, venue owners may be held liable for failing to address the following hazards:

• Insufficient security and crowd control
• Over-serving alcohol to guests, and failing to control guests who are under the influence
• Fire hazards
• Unsafe traffic patterns in and out of the venue

The need for good security and other guest services are higher than at other places due to the extraordinarily high number of attendees, the presence of alcohol, and the strong emotions that may be on display at the event.

Security Hazards at Retail Shopping Centers

Special consideration should also be given to the dangers that are present at malls and other shopping centers. In addition to guarding against trip and fall hazards, shopping centers are also obligated to provide a safe place for their customers to shop. Shopping centers that ignore loitering and other petty crimes may be found liable if a customer is injured during an assault or robbery. Shopping centers may be required to hire uniformed security guards and install video cameras or other security devices. The owners must make sure their security personnel is properly staffed and trained and that any devices are in good working order.

Injuries That Can Disrupt Your Daily Life

The injuries suffered in the situations described above can be quite serious. In addition to bruises, cuts, broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries, you may be facing the following obstacles as well:

• Loss of income due to missing work for doctor’s appointments and treatment
• Loss of employment due to disability
• Loss of mobility
• Additional transportation costs: you can no longer drive or have increased transportation needs for medical treatment
• Additional expenses due to necessary accommodations and medical equipment: you need handrails installed in your home or a wheelchair
• Loss of sleep
• Emotional and mental trauma such as depression and anxiety
• General pain and suffering

Your injuries may not seem all that serious now but can have unforeseen consequences that negatively affect your life for months and years to come.

Call an Experienced Premises Liability Attorney

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, the lawyers at Russo Law LLP can help you sort through all of the potential issues and get you the compensation you deserve. We work with our clients every step of the way - from dealing with the insurance companies to managing the various bills and records, all the way through to getting you a fair result. Finally, we don’t bill you for legal fees unless and until we are able to recover compensation on your behalf. If you’d like to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys, give us a call at (914) 266-2722 today! We can even visit you in the hospital, if necessary.