The first step in proving a premises liability case in New York is by demonstrating that the owner had prior knowledge of the hazard and failed to fix it in a timely manner. Common premises liabilities in New York include:

• Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents
• Weather hazards that are not corrected, such as icy walkways
• Broken or cracking sidewalks
• Broken steps
• Exposure to toxic chemical
• Elevator accidents
• Escalator accidents
• Dim lighting in a dark area resulting in a dangerous environment
• Lead poisoning
• Dog Bites

Municipal liability cases are those against the state, county or city. They can involve employees and/or agencies of the municipality such as the police department, the board of education and the department of environmental protection. The most common types of cases against a municipality are those involving sidewalk defects. Generally, the municipality must have at least 15 days notice of the defect before the accident occurs.

Municipal liability can also include cases against the transit and housing authorities. Such cases can involve accidents on train station platforms and stairways; accidents while a passenger on a city bus; and accidents as the result of improper maintenance of housing authority properties. These accidents can involve a slip or trip and fall, falling ceilings and toxic mold cases. Police brutality and excessive force cases include those concerning the mistreatment of suspects before and after an arrest, injuries and/or death occurring to persons while in police custody and unjustified use of deadly force by police officers.

Generally, the time period for filing a claim against a municipality is much shorter than for other types of actions. It is generally within 90 days from the date of the occurrence. Beware, as there are exceptions where the time periods are even shorter.

Any government entity that owns or occupies properties has a responsibility to tell the public about any dangerous conditions on these properties as well as to fix the conditions in a timely manner. However, with New York being such a busy city, and despite the high cost of taxes for the upkeep of city streets and buildings, many of these hazards are not fixed until it is too late and someone slips and falls on the New York street or worse. The statute of limitations on municipal liabilities in New York is short and that victims have little time to make their claims.

Anytime that there are sidewalk defects, incorrect usage of a city-owned vehicle, police assaults or excessive force, or hazards in public parks, the city is responsible. If you have been injured by a slip or trip and fall, toxic waste, police brutality, or other accident on city property, including on city buses and trains, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are the victim of municipal liability in New York and suspect that the city might be at fault, call the municipal liability attorney of New York, Leandros Vrionedes to make your claim as quickly as possible.

Lead Poisoning

Childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk facing children in industrialized countries today. According to recent CDC estimates, 890,000 U.S. children age 1-5 have elevated blood lead levels.

One of the most important risk factors for lead exposure is the age of housing. Over 80 percent of all homes built before 1978 in the U.S. have lead-based paint in them. The older the house, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint and a higher concentration of lead in the paint.

The primary source of lead exposure is through lead based paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking. This contaminated paint can be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These include windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, porches, and fences.

Lead dust is also hazardous. It can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. This dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it. Lead dust is ingested primarily through hand-to-mouth contact.This dust can also be created when lead paint deteriorates from age, exposure to the elements, from water damage, friction -- such as the opening of windows or the rubbing of a tight door -- or during home renovation. Drinking water can be contaminated by lead solder in the pipes.

For children at risk for lead exposure, a simple blood test can prevent a lifetime spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead poisoning. Lead poisoning initially may cause no symptoms. In children, it may lead to irritability, weight loss and sluggishness. Some children also may develop abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. It commonly leads to anemia as well. The greatest risk is to the development of the brain, where irreversible damage may occur.

Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, hearing difficulties, growth retardation, behavioral problems, can damage a child's central nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system and, at higher levels, can cause seizures, coma, convulsions, and death. Even low levels of lead are harmful and are associated with decreased intelligence, impaired neurobehavioral development, decreased stature and growth, and impaired hearing acuity.