Millions Recovered for Injured Clients
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in New York
No two premises liability claims are exactly alike. A slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, an injury caused by poor security, and a dog bite may involve different facts and evidence, but they often come down to the same question: did the property owner or responsible party take reasonable steps to keep the property safe?
Under the standard established by the New York Court of Appeals in Basso v. Miller, property owners have a duty to use reasonable care to maintain their premises in a safe condition under the circumstances. In many dangerous condition cases, an injured person must show that the owner created the hazard or had actual or constructive notice of it and failed to correct it within a reasonable time.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we represent injured New Yorkers in premises liability cases involving:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Snow and ice accidents
- Broken stairs, handrails, and walkways
- Defective or uneven pavement
- Poor lighting and unsafe parking lots, garages, and stairwells
- Falling merchandise and other store hazards
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Inadequate security and negligent security claims
- Unsafe conditions in apartment buildings and rental properties
- Injuries at stores, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses
These cases are often decided by the evidence available. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, maintenance records may become harder to obtain, and dangerous conditions may be repaired before they can be properly documented.
Acting quickly gives a premises liability lawyer in New York the opportunity to investigate the scene, preserve critical evidence, and build a stronger claim against the party responsible for your injuries.
Why Injured New Yorkers Choose Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
For decades, victims have turned to our personal injury lawyers in New York when they need experienced advocates on their side. We understand that a serious premises injury is about more than a legal claim; it can affect your health, your ability to work, and your future. Our team combines the resources of a large firm with the personal attention every client deserves.
When you work with Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, you partner with a legal team with more than 27 years of litigation experience, over 300 years of combined legal experience, nearly 20,000 clients served, 48 attorneys, and a 240-person staff supporting your case.
Statewide Reach, Personal Attention
Our premises liability lawyers represent injured clients throughout New York, bringing the resources of a large firm while maintaining the personal attention your case deserves. We take the time to understand what happened, explain your options, and keep you informed throughout the process.
Injury and Disability Under One Roof
A serious fall, unsafe property condition, or negligent security incident can affect your ability to work and support your family. Our New York Social Security Disability attorneys can help you pursue available disability benefits while our injury lawyers handle your premises liability claim, giving you one team focused on your recovery.
We’re Trial-Ready Premises Liability Lawyers
Insurance companies know when a law firm is prepared to take a case beyond negotiations. We build premises liability claims with trial in mind, gathering the evidence, expert support, and documentation needed to pursue a strong result in settlement discussions or in court when necessary.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a New York Premises Liability Claim?
A serious injury on someone else’s property can change far more than your medical bills. You may miss work, need ongoing treatment, lose your independence, or face changes to your daily routine that were never part of your plans.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we look beyond the immediate aftermath of an accident to understand the full impact your injuries have had on your life. Depending on the facts of your case, your lawyer may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future healthcare needs
- Lost income and reduced ability to earn a living
- Pain and suffering and the loss of activities you once enjoyed
- Permanent injuries, scarring, or disability
- Out-of-pocket costs and other financial losses
- Home modifications, assistive devices, or long-term care needs
- Wrongful death damages when a premises accident results in the loss of a loved one
Insurance companies often focus on minimizing the value of a claim. They may question the seriousness of your injuries, the treatment you need, or how the accident affects your ability to work. A New York premises liability lawyer can gather medical records, employment documentation, and expert opinions when needed to build a clear picture of what you have lost and what you may need in the future.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
How Does a New York Premises Liability Lawyer Handle Your Claim?
From the moment you contact us, we work to protect your claim by preserving evidence, communicating with insurers, and preventing mistakes that could weaken your case. That may include sending preservation letters to protect important evidence, such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and other documents that could disappear if they are not secured quickly.
Here is how we help build your claim:
✓ Investigating who is responsible: We determine whether a property owner, business, landlord, tenant, maintenance company, or another party contributed to your injuries.
✓ Preserving critical evidence: We seek out surveillance footage, incident reports, inspection records, maintenance documents, photographs, and witness information that can help prove what happened.
✓ Handling insurance companies: We take over communications with insurers, protect you from lowball settlement offers, and prevent adjusters from using your words against you before the full value of your claim is understood.
✓ Avoiding costly mistakes: After an injury, things you say to insurance companies, property owners, or other parties can affect your claim. We help you understand what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect your rights from the beginning.
✓ Addressing New York’s legal requirements: If your claim involves a government entity, we handle deadlines such as the Notice of Claim requirement and investigate issues like prior written notice.
✓ Proving negligence and damages: We gather medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence to show how the unsafe condition caused your injuries and how those injuries have affected your life.
✓ Building your case for trial: We prepare every claim with the courtroom in mind, using our litigation experience to pursue strong results in negotiations and at trial when necessary.
The legal process can feel overwhelming when you are already trying to recover. That is why our approach combines aggressive advocacy with personal attention. We are prepared to fight property owners and insurers in the courtroom, but we also understand that behind every claim is a person trying to move forward after a difficult injury.
A New York premises liability attorney at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law will handle the investigation, protect the evidence, and stand between you and the insurance companies so you do not have to face the process alone.
Injuries Commonly Seen in New York Premises Liability Claims
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls send about 3 million older adults to the emergency room each year and are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we represent New Yorkers who have suffered injuries such as:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Hip, knee, shoulder, and other joint injuries
- Internal injuries, deep cuts, and permanent scarring
A medical diagnosis is only part of the story. We work with your doctors and, when appropriate, other specialists to understand how your injuries affect your work, independence, and future. That evidence helps us build a claim that reflects not only what happened to you, but what you have had to deal with since the accident.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
The Clock Is Already Running on Your Premises Liability Claim
New York’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. If your claim involves a government entity, the deadline may be much shorter, with a Notice of Claim often required within 90 days.
Waiting can also hurt your case in practical ways. Surveillance footage can be erased, dangerous conditions can be repaired, and important witnesses can become harder to locate. A New York premises liability lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can investigate early, preserve key evidence, and help protect your right to pursue compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions our premises liability lawyers hear most often from injured New Yorkers.
What qualifies as a premises liability case in New York?
A premises liability case arises when someone is injured because a property owner or another responsible party failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Common examples include slip and falls, snow and ice accidents, unsafe stairs, inadequate security, dog bites, and dangerous conditions in stores, apartments, restaurants, and other properties. In many cases, an injured person must show that the property owner created the hazard or had actual or constructive notice of it and failed to correct it or provide a warning.
What should I do immediately after being injured on someone else’s property?
Your health comes first. Seek medical attention, report the accident to the property owner or manager, take photos or videos of the dangerous condition if you can, and gather contact information from any witnesses. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company or accepting a quick settlement before understanding your rights. A New York premises liability lawyer can help preserve evidence, handle communications, and protect your claim from the beginning.
What is the average premises liability settlement in New York?
There’s no reliable “average,” and any figure claiming to be one is misleading. Settlements vary enormously with the severity of the injury, the evidence, the available insurance, and how the injury affects your life. Rather than quote a meaningless number, our New York premises liability lawyers can weigh the specific facts of your case, medical costs, lost income, future care, and pain and suffering, to assess what it may realistically be worth.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for my accident?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for what happened. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Because property owners and insurers often argue that an injured person should have avoided the hazard, it is important to have evidence that shows what really happened and who was responsible.
Who can be held responsible in a New York premises liability case?
Liability depends on who owned, controlled, or maintained the property and what caused the injury. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve a homeowner, landlord, business owner, property management company, maintenance contractor, or government entity. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, our attorneys investigate the full situation to identify every party that may share responsibility for your injuries.
How much does it cost to hire a premises liability lawyer?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, you do not pay anything upfront to pursue a premises liability claim. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney’s fees are only collected if we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free, giving you the opportunity to discuss your injury, understand your options, and decide how to move forward.
