John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- April 22, 2026
A serious injury can happen anywhere, from your favorite grocery store to a friend’s apartment building to an uneven sidewalk. When a property owner fails to keep their premises reasonably safe, and someone is hurt as a result, it falls under the area of law known as premises liability.
As New York premises liability lawyers serving clients across New York State, Richmond Vona helps injured individuals understand their rights and pursue accountability when unsafe property conditions cause harm. When the unexpected happens, expect Richmond Vona.
- Understanding Premises Liability Cases in New York
- New York State Premises Liability Law
- Unique Complexities of Premises Liability Cases: Medical Costs and Damages
- The Role of a New York Premises Liability Lawyer
- What to Know About Compensation in Premises Liability Cases
- Securing Your Rightful Compensation
- Importance of a New York Premises Liability Lawyer
- Contact a New York State Premises Liability Attorney Today
Understanding Premises Liability Cases in New York
Premises liability incidents can seriously alter a person’s life, but many of these injuries can happen during everyday activities. Consider the following examples:
- You’re entering a local store after a snowstorm, assuming the walkway has been cleared. Instead, untreated ice and snow cause you to fall.
- You’re at a friend’s home when their dog, known to be aggressive, isn’t properly restrained, leading to preventable dog bite injuries that require medical care.
- While grocery shopping, you step on an unmarked spill. The sudden slip and fall accident leaves you injured and unable to work.
- You’re taking an evening walk when your foot catches on a broken sidewalk slab, causing you to fall on a public sidewalk.
Each of these moments begins as a routine part of daily life, but when property owners fail to address known hazards, the consequences can be life-changing.
New York State Premises Liability Law
When you’re injured on another’s property due to their negligence, New York law terms it premises liability. This concept goes beyond simple slip-and-fall situations; it encompasses any injury resulting from an unsafe condition on the property. To have a valid premises liability claim, you need to prove:
- You were legally on the property, either by invitation or through employment, or the owner was aware of your trespassing.
- The property owner was negligent in handling the unsafe condition, i.e., they knew or should have known about the danger and failed to fix it, isolate the area, or issue a warning.
- This negligence directly led to your injury.
Generally, property owners are not liable for injuries sustained by trespassers, but there are exceptions. For instance, if a known trespasser gets injured, or if a child trespasser is drawn to an “attractive nuisance” like an unfenced pool and suffers harm, the owner could be held accountable.
Unique Complexities of Premises Liability Cases: Medical Costs and Damages
Victims of premises liability accidents often face substantial medical expenses. These can include costs for immediate care, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and potentially, long-term care or modifications to the victim’s home. Each case is unique, and the medical costs will vary based on the severity and type of injury.
The repercussions of a premises liability accident extend beyond medical costs. You may require significant lifestyle changes – perhaps you need a wheelchair, home modifications, or even personal care assistance. All of these adaptations come at a considerable financial cost, not to mention the emotional toll of adjusting to a new way of life.
Securing compensation for these medical costs and lifestyle changes can be a complex task. The burden of proof falls on the victim, and demonstrating negligence can be a challenging legal endeavor. It’s crucial to understand your rights and legal options following a premises liability accident.
The Role of a New York Premises Liability Lawyer
Our premises liability lawyers bring a unique skill set to the table. We possess a deep understanding of New York State premises liability law, allowing us to effectively represent your case. This in-depth knowledge includes awareness of all relevant statutes, court rulings, and nuances that might impact your claim.
Premises liability cases involve intricate legal processes, including:
- Gathering evidence
- Determining negligence
- Establishing liability
- Calculating damages
Our lawyers can handle these tasks efficiently, letting you focus on recovery.
Beyond knowledge and legal expertise, our lawyers are skilled advocates for our clients. We approach every case with tenacity, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are upheld. Our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you.
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Words cannot describe how grateful my wife and I are of John Richmond. His friendliness, knowledge, loyalty and professionalism are of the highest level. Being this was the first time we’ve had to obtain legal assistance, John made this process very easy for my wife and I. We both would highly recommend Richmond Vona.
What a phenomenal experience to come from a terrifying accident. From day 1 Richmond/Vona provided me with nothing but comfort and professionalism. Communication is paramount in my needs and they performed that with nothing short of exceptional. Mr. Richmond made me feel like this was the only case he was working on. Thank you to all of your staff for looking out for my best interests and taking a stressful situation and making it so very easy for me and my family.
My experience with Keith Vona was exceptional. To this day, I am grateful for the dedication and compassion he displayed throughout my case. The outcome of my case was successful as a result of his drive and commitment. I would highly recommend Keith Vona to anyone in need of legal representation.
What to Know About Compensation in Premises Liability Cases
Victims of premises liability accidents may be eligible for various forms of compensation. These can include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers current and future medical costs related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, you can seek compensation for lost income.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates for physical pain and emotional distress stemming from the accident.
To maximize your compensation, it’s essential to have a clear and comprehensive understanding of your damages. We work with you, along with medical and financial experts, to quantify your losses and ensure the compensation sought is truly reflective of your suffering.
Remember, there is a timeframe within which you need to file your premises liability claim. In New York, this is generally three years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this period could bar you from receiving compensation.
Securing Your Rightful Compensation
Navigating interactions with insurance companies after an accident can be a formidable task. It’s important to know that insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. Our attorneys skillfully negotiate with these companies, advocating for a settlement that truly reflects the extent of your losses.
Proving liability in premises liability cases is a crucial step. It requires robust evidence collection and strategic presentation. Our team meticulously gathers all necessary documentation, eyewitness testimonies, expert opinions, and more to build a solid case.
Despite a clear case, establishing liability can face challenges. These can range from disputes over the property owner’s knowledge of the hazard to debates over the victim’s legal presence on the property. We prepare for these challenges, ready to counter with strong evidence.
$505,000 Recovery - Icy Slip and Fall on Vacation
While traveling out of town, our client slipped on untreated ice outside a property that should have been properly maintained. The fall caused significant injuries that disrupted work and daily life. After a thorough investigation and aggressive negotiation, our New York premises liability lawyers secured a $505,000 settlement to help compensate for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term impact.
$325,000 Recovery - Ice-Covered Handicamp Ramp in Rochester
A Rochester pedestrian accident client was seriously injured after slipping on an ice-covered handicap ramp that had not been cleared. The dangerous condition created a preventable hazard, and our team gathered evidence showing the property owner failed to address the known condition. Our team obtained a $325,000 recovery to support the client’s medical treatment and financial losses.
$300,000 Recovery - Fall Down Stairs in Buffalo
Unsafe stairs led to a devastating fall for a Buffalo resident when a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions. The fall resulted in significant injuries that required ongoing care and time away from work. Through careful case preparation and strategic advocacy, our attorneys demonstrated that the hazardous condition directly caused the injury and secured a $300,000 settlement for our client.
$175,000 Recovery for Worker Who Fell on the Job
A worker suffered serious injuries after falling due to unsafe property conditions while performing job-related duties. The incident left the client facing medical bills and uncertainty about returning to work. By identifying responsible parties and building a strong liability case, Richmond Vona secured a $175,000 recovery to help offset lost wages and treatment costs.
$155,000 Recovery for Westchester Client after a Severe Gash to the Leg
Our Westchester client sustained a deep and painful leg laceration due to hazardous property conditions. The injury required medical intervention and resulted in time away from work. Our lawyers worked to establish the property owner’s responsibility and pursued a $155,000 settlement for the client.
Importance of a New York Premises Liability Lawyer
After a serious injury, you deserve guidance you can trust. A skilled New York premises liability lawyer helps you evaluate settlement offers, protect your rights, and prepare for trial to secure meaningful case results.
At Richmond Vona, every client works with a dedicated 2 to 3-person legal team and has direct access to their attorneys. Co-Founder and CEO John Richmond and Co-Founder Keith Vona bring more than three decades of combined experience, helping recover over $200 million for injured clients across New York State.
We’re serious trial attorneys committed to a positive client experience and maintaining community involvement. From Buffalo to Rochester and beyond, we treat clients with dignity, prioritize open communication, and provide fully personalized legal guidance throughout every step.
Contact a New York State Premises Liability Attorney Today
If you were injured because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and ease uncertainty about how long your case may take.
At Richmond Vona, our New York State premises liability lawyers serve injured clients with personalized guidance and direct access to their team of attorneys. Call 716-500-5678 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.