White Plains Premises Liability Lawyers | Billy Cooper Law

Holding Property Owners Accountable Across Westchester County, The Bronx, Rockland County & NYC

Every time you walk into a store, step into an apartment building, visit an office, or cross a parking lot, you’re relying on the property owner to keep the space reasonably safe. When they cut corners on maintenance or security and someone gets hurt, that’s not just “an accident”—it may be a premises liability case.

At Billy Cooper Law, our White Plains premises liability lawyers represent people who have been injured because property owners, landlords, management companies, or businesses failed to fix dangerous conditions or warn about them. We help clients after slip and fall accidents, building code violations, snow and ice incidents, negligent security, poor construction, and more.

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for what you’re owed.

Property owners and their insurance companies fight hard to avoid responsibility when dangerous conditions cause injuries. They blame the victim, claim they didn’t know about the hazard, or argue the condition was “open and obvious.” At Billy Cooper Law, we’ve spent decades overcoming these defenses and securing justice for injured New Yorkers.

Founding partner Marvin A. Cooper has over 50 years of experience representing injury victims across New York. His work assisting in drafting Article 51 of the New York Insurance Law in 1973—the No Fault system that reshaped insurance coverage statewide—reflects his deep understanding of how liability law operates at every level.

Lead trial counsel William H. Cooper, recognized by Super Lawyers in 2024 and 2025 and honored as a CLE presenter at the New York State Bar Association, has secured over $41 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients. His trial experience means property owners and their insurers know we’re prepared to take cases all the way to verdict if necessary.

When a property owner’s negligence changes your life, you need attorneys who know how to prove it—and who won’t back down.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is the area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible when unsafe conditions on their property cause injury. In New York, owners and managers must take reasonable steps to:

• Inspect their property
• Fix dangerous conditions they know about or should know about
• Warn visitors about hazards they can’t repair right away

When they don’t, and someone gets hurt, they can be held liable.

Common premises liability scenarios include:

• Slip and fall accidents in stores, apartment buildings, and parking lots
• Trips caused by broken stairs, uneven flooring, or hidden hazards
• Injuries linked to building code violations and structural defects
• Assaults or attacks enabled by negligent security
• Snow and ice accidents due to improper removal or salting
• Dog bites and animal attacks on the property

Types Of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Our White Plains premises liability attorneys represent clients in cases involving:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Building code violations and structural hazards
• Negligent security (including negligent hiring and retention)
• Poor construction and construction-related defects
• Snow and ice accidents
• Dog bites and animal attacks on property

Each case turns on the same core question: did the owner or manager act reasonably to keep the property safe?

Slip And Fall Accidents

Slip and fall incidents are among the most common premises liability claims. They often happen because basic safety precautions were ignored.

Hazardous conditions that lead to slip and fall injuries include:

• Wet or slippery floors from spills, leaks, or mopping without warning signs
• Uneven or damaged flooring, cracked sidewalks, loose tiles, or torn carpeting
• Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, garages, and outdoor walkways
• Missing or broken handrails and guardrails on stairs or elevated areas
• Cluttered aisles, cords across walkways, or debris left where people walk

Common injuries from slip and fall accidents:

• Fractures (wrists, ankles, hips)
• Head injuries and concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back and spinal injuries, including herniated discs
• Soft-tissue damage and chronic pain

Serious slip and fall accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that affect victims for the rest of their lives.

Proving liability in a slip and fall case

To hold a property owner or business responsible, we work to show that:

• A dangerous condition existed
• The owner knew about it or should have known through reasonable inspection
• They failed to fix it or warn visitors in a reasonable time
• That failure caused your fall and your injuries

Our Approach To Slip And Fall Cases

• Thorough investigation of the scene, surveillance footage, and incident reports
• Review of maintenance and cleaning records, prior complaints, and inspection logs
• Collaboration with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries
• Aggressive negotiation and litigation to pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Building Code Violations & Structural Hazards

New York building codes exist for a reason—to keep people safe. When landlords, property managers, or developers ignore those codes, they put everyone at risk.

Examples of building code violations:

• Unsafe stairways, missing handrails, or improper riser heights
• Structural deficiencies in decks, balconies, or walkways
• Electrical hazards from improper wiring or overloaded systems
• Fire safety violations, including blocked exits or missing smoke alarms
• Inadequate accessibility features for disabled visitors where required

These violations can lead to falls, collapses, fires, electrical shocks, or other serious incidents that may cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Our Approach To Building Code Violation Cases

• Comprehensive review of inspection reports, violation notices, and building plans
• Consultation with engineers and construction experts to show how code violations caused your injury
• Medical collaboration to quantify your current and future medical needs
• Strong advocacy aimed at full compensation for repairs, medical care, and long-term consequences

Negligent Security (Including Negligent Hiring And Retention)

Property owners aren’t responsible for every criminal act on their property—but they can be held liable when foreseeable crimes happen because they failed to provide basic, reasonable security.

Common negligent security issues:

• Poor lighting in parking lots, garages, hallways, or entrances
• Broken or missing locks on doors, gates, or building entries
• Malfunctioning or absent security cameras
• No security staff where one is clearly needed (apartment complexes, clubs, hotels, shopping centers)
• Hiring unqualified, untrained, or dangerous security personnel
• Ignoring past incidents or police reports that warned of ongoing risk

Negligent security cases often involve:

• Assaults and robberies in parking lots and stairwells
• Sexual assaults in hotels, apartment buildings, and entertainment venues
• Violent incidents in bars, clubs, or event spaces that lacked proper security

Our Approach To Negligent Security Cases

• Detailed investigation into crime history at and around the property
• Review of security policies, staffing, lighting, and camera systems
• Consultation with security experts on what reasonable measures should have been taken
• Medical and psychological evaluation of your injuries and trauma
• Dedicated advocacy to hold property owners and management companies accountable

Poor Construction & Construction-Related Defects

Sometimes the danger on a property traces back to how it was built. Poor construction can create hidden hazards that show up months or years later.

Examples of poor construction and defects:

• Structural defects in beams, supports, balconies, or foundations
• Water intrusion leading to mold, rot, and unsafe conditions
• Defective electrical or plumbing systems causing fires or floods
• Use of substandard or inappropriate building materials
• Shoddy workmanship leading to collapsing stairs, ceilings, or fixtures

These defects can cause sudden, catastrophic failures or ongoing health risks. In some cases, construction accidents and construction defects may overlap, particularly when workers or visitors are injured on sites with known safety issues.

Our Approach To Poor Construction Cases

• Review of construction contracts, permits, and inspection records
• Consultation with engineers, architects, and building experts
• Identification of all responsible parties—contractors, subcontractors, developers, and sometimes product manufacturers
• Pursuit of compensation for injuries, repair costs, relocation expenses, and related losses

Snow And Ice Accidents

In White Plains and throughout New York, snow and ice are a part of life—but that doesn’t give property owners a free pass. They are expected to take reasonable steps to clear and treat walkways, steps, and parking areas within a reasonable time after a storm.

Snow and ice hazards that cause injuries:

• Untreated ice on sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots
• Black ice from poor drainage or refreezing melt
• Packed snow on stairs or entryways
• Piles of snow placed where meltwater refreezes in walkways

Snow and ice falls frequently result in fractures, head injuries, and back injuries that can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Our Approach To Snow And Ice Cases

• Investigation of weather reports, timing, and maintenance logs
• On-site photos and video to document conditions when you fell
• Expert input on property maintenance standards for winter weather
• Medical collaboration to document fractures, head injuries, and long-term impacts

Dog Bites And Animal Attacks On Property

Dog bites and animal attacks often overlap with premises liability when they occur in apartment buildings, shared yards, businesses, or other properties.

Injuries and impacts from dog bites:

• Puncture wounds, lacerations, and crush injuries
• Nerve damage and loss of function
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Risk of infection, including rabies and serious bacterial infections
• Emotional trauma, anxiety, and fear of animals

Property owners and dog owners can both be responsible if they:

• Ignore prior aggression or bite incidents
• Fail to leash or restrain a known dangerous dog
• Don’t warn visitors or tenants about an aggressive animal on site

We also handle dog bite cases as a standalone practice area. If your injuries are specifically related to a dog attack, our team can walk you through the best strategy to maximize your recovery.

Our Approach To Dog Bite Cases

• Investigation of the dog’s history and prior complaints
• Review of lease agreements, property rules, and incident reports
• Medical documentation of physical and psychological injuries
• Pursuit of compensation through homeowners, renters, or commercial insurance

Key Evidence In Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability cases are won or lost based on evidence. Property owners and their insurers will argue they didn’t know about the dangerous condition, that it wasn’t there long enough to fix, or that you should have seen it and avoided it. We know how to overcome these defenses.

Critical evidence in premises liability cases includes:

• Surveillance footage: Many businesses and buildings have security cameras that capture accidents as they happen. This footage can disappear quickly, so acting fast is essential.
• Maintenance records: Cleaning logs, inspection reports, and work orders can show whether the property owner knew about a hazard and failed to address it.
• Prior complaints: If other people complained about the same dangerous condition before your accident, it proves the owner had notice.
• Weather data: In snow and ice cases, weather reports establish when precipitation occurred and how long the owner had to respond.
• Building code violations: A history of code violations or failed inspections demonstrates a pattern of neglect.

Our team moves quickly to preserve this evidence before it’s lost, altered, or destroyed. The sooner you contact us after an accident, the stronger your case will be.

What Compensation Can You Recover In A Premises Liability Case?

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses:

• Emergency care, hospitalization, and surgery
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Follow-up visits, medications, and medical equipment

Lost income and earning capacity:

• Time missed from work
• Reduced ability to work in the future
• Total disability in serious cases

Pain and suffering:

• Physical pain and limitations
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and sleep problems
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inability to do the activities you once enjoyed
• Impact on hobbies, travel, and family life

Wrongful death damages (for families who lost a loved one):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and companionship

We work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists to ensure every aspect of your loss is fully accounted for.

Why Choose Billy Cooper Law For Your Premises Liability Case?

• Focused experience with complex premises liability and serious injury claims
• Thorough investigations into property conditions, maintenance practices, and security failures
• Access to top experts in building codes, construction, security, and medicine
• Client-centered representation that keeps you informed and involved
• Relentless advocacy against landlords, management companies, businesses, and their insurers

You’re not just a case number to us. You’re a person whose life was disrupted because someone else didn’t take safety seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in New York?

A: In New York, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your claim is against a municipality or government entity (such as a city-owned building or public sidewalk), you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim. Consulting with an attorney promptly ensures you don’t miss critical deadlines.

Q: What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

A: New York follows a comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partially responsible for your accident—for example, if you were looking at your phone when you fell—you can still recover compensation. Your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from making a claim. We’ll evaluate the circumstances and advise you on how this may affect your case.

Q: The property owner says they didn’t know about the dangerous condition. Can I still sue?

A: Yes. Property owners can be held liable if they “should have known” about a hazard through reasonable inspection and maintenance. If a spill sat on a floor for an hour, or a broken step went unrepaired for weeks, the owner should have discovered and fixed it. We investigate maintenance records, prior complaints, and inspection schedules to prove constructive notice.

Q: What if I was injured at a business but the property is owned by someone else?

A: Both the business tenant and the property owner may share responsibility for maintaining safe conditions. Commercial leases often allocate maintenance duties between landlords and tenants. We identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.

Q: Should I report my accident to the property owner or manager?

A: Yes, but be careful what you say. Report the basic facts of what happened and where, but don’t apologize or speculate about fault. Ask for a copy of any incident report they create. If possible, take photographs of the hazardous condition before it’s cleaned up or repaired. Then contact an attorney before giving any recorded statements to insurance adjusters.

Q: What if the property owner’s insurance company contacts me?

A: Insurance adjusters work for the property owner, not for you. Their goal is to minimize what the company pays. Politely decline to give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Don’t sign any documents or accept any settlement offers without legal advice. Early lowball offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim.

Contact Our White Plains Premises Liability Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one was injured on someone else’s property—whether in a slip and fall, a snow and ice accident, an assault enabled by poor security, or another dangerous condition—you don’t have to handle this alone.

Contact Billy Cooper Law today for a free, confidential consultation.

We’ll review what happened, explain your options, and outline a strategy to pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on healing.