Personal Injury Attorney for Columbia Students Injured on Campus
If you are a student at Columbia University, you have a right to be able to travel around campus without worrying about the possibility of being injured. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that you can be hurt on campus while simply performing everyday tasks like going to class. If you or a family member was injured on Columbia University’s campus, you should consult with an experienced New York City personal injury attorney for Columbia students.
Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP can help you pursue an injury claim against Columbia University or another property owner on campus that is responsible for your injuries. Our firm acknowledges how a serious injury could affect your personal and academic life, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation, call Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300, or contact us online.
Common Types of Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability is an area of law that deals with the failure of a property owner to handle hazardous conditions on their property. If a property owner fails to correct hazardous conditions on their property, this could make them liable for accidents that happen on their property.
The status of an injured person also matters when looking at a premises liability claim. While students have the right to be on campus to attend school and perform other activities, trespassers may be treated differently. However, a property owner may be liable for injuries to a trespasser under certain circumstances. The following is a list of common types of premises liability claims.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are the most common type of premises liability claim. The reason for this is because a slip and fall accident can occur virtually anywhere. For example, a slip and fall accident may occur if a student trips over a portion of steps that was broken; they could suffer a serious injury. Other dangerous conditions that could cause a slip and fall accident include:
- Poorly lit areas
- Unplowed snow and ice
- Slippery or wet floors
There are several types of injuries that a person could suffer from a slip and fall accident. Many people sustain arm or wrist injuries because they were reaching out in an attempt to break their fall. Other injuries that could stem from a slip and fall include broken bones, back injuries, head injuries, and ankle twists and sprains.
Inadequate Security
A university that does not have adequate security for their students and other visitors put those people at risk of being targeted by criminals. Failure to take precautions like security cameras, campus security, or emergency call boxes could make a university liable for assaults or other violent crimes that could occur to students.
Fires
Every school should have a comprehensive plan to deal with a fire that occurs on campus. If a fire breaks out and adequate procedures are not in place, students could become trapped in certain areas of the campus and suffer severe burn injuries or smoke inhalation.
This is not an exhaustive list of premises liability claims. To learn more about filing a lawsuit for premises liability, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced NYC personal injury lawyer.
When to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you believe that Columbia University or a property owner on the campus is responsible for your injuries, you should not waste time filing a personal injury lawsuit. All personal injury cases are subject to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations dictates the filing deadline for a particular type of case. Several civil claims must follow the statute of limitations deadline.
In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the injury. If you do not file your claim within this three-year timeframe, you risk having the court bar your claim.
It may seem odd that there would be a time limit to file a claim for a serious injury, but the reason for the statute of limitations is to ensure that plaintiffs swiftly pursue their claims. There are other benefits to filing your case as soon as possible. For example, if you need the aid of witnesses to prove your case, waiting too long to file your case could make their memories unreliable.
Work with Our Trusted NYC Premises Liability Lawyers Today
If you or a family member was injured on Columbia University property, you should contact an experienced NYC premises liability lawyer today. Our team of lawyers has over 30 years of combined legal experience, and we would be proud to use this experience to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.