Brighton, NY Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

Hurt on Someone Else’s Property in Brighton? Here’s What You Need to Know Now

If you were injured on someone else's property in Brighton, it’s hard to focus on anything beyond the pain and confusion. You’re hurt. You may be facing unexpected medical bills. And if you can’t return to work right away, the pressure only builds. These aren’t just small inconveniences, they can turn your whole world upside down.

That’s where we come in. At Horn Wright, LLP, our slip and fall accident attorneys handle cases just like yours throughout Monroe County. Whether you slipped in a parking lot or were hurt on a poorly maintained sidewalk, our team is ready to help you seek the financial recovery you need to move forward with your life.

You Slipped, Tripped, or Got Hurt: Now What?

After an injury, things can feel like a blur. You’re trying to stay calm, but there’s a lot to think about in a short amount of time. Taking the right steps early on will help protect your health, and your claim.

Start by getting checked out by a doctor. If the injury happened in Brighton, places like Strong Memorial Hospital or a local urgent care can assess your condition. Even if you think you're okay, it's best to confirm. Some injuries take time to show up, and having medical records from the beginning gives your case a solid foundation.

Next, make sure the property owner or manager knows what happened. If it’s a business, ask to fill out a report. If you’re in an apartment complex or on someone’s private property, notify the landlord or homeowner directly. The same goes for any town-managed location. This creates a paper trail, and that matters later.

Photos and witness info are also helpful, especially if the condition that hurt you gets cleaned up quickly. A slick spot in a grocery aisle or an icy step may be gone the next day. Snap a few pictures if you can, and grab contact details from anyone who saw what happened. These details can prove invaluable down the road.

What Makes a Property Owner Legally Responsible?

In New York, property owners aren’t automatically responsible just because someone got hurt. But when they fail to keep their space reasonably safe, they can absolutely be held accountable under the law.

The legal term here is duty of care. Owners, business operators, and even government entities are expected to take steps to prevent dangerous conditions. If they don’t—like failing to fix a loose step or ignoring a snow-covered walkway—they could be found negligent. You can read more about these duties under New York Premises Liability Law.

Responsibility depends on who controlled the area. In some cases, it's a business renting a storefront. Other times, it's the landlord who owns the building. For accidents on public property, like sidewalks near the Brighton Memorial Library, it could fall on the Town of Brighton or Monroe County. Sorting out who’s at fault isn’t always simple, but that’s something we handle every day.

Hidden Hazards in Brighton Properties

Brighton is a beautiful town, but it has its share of hidden property dangers. Not every hazard is easy to spot, and some only show up under certain conditions, especially in winter.

In older rental units, staircases are a frequent problem. Broken steps, missing railings, or rotting wood can turn a routine trip into an emergency room visit. If the landlord knew about the problem and ignored it, they could be liable.

Winter brings another risk: untreated ice. If walkways or driveways aren’t cleared properly, especially after storms, they become a serious slip hazard. New York law expects property owners to act within a reasonable time after snowfall. If they don’t, they may be violating local code and state regulations.

Another overlooked hazard? Poor lighting. Dimly lit entrances, stairwells, or parking areas outside Brighton businesses can hide cracked pavement or other trip risks. Business owners are expected to maintain lighting to a safe standard—especially in high-traffic spots.

Proving They Were Negligent, And That You Deserve Compensation

It’s one thing to be hurt. It’s another to prove someone else is at fault. That’s where legal knowledge and clear evidence come into play.

To win a premises liability case in New York, you need to prove that the property owner owed you a duty of care, and that they failed to uphold it. This is often called “establishing duty and breach.” We gather building records, maintenance logs, and surveillance footage when available, to help demonstrate where the property owner fell short.

We also need to show that they knew, or should have known, about the hazard. Sometimes, they’ll claim the danger appeared out of nowhere. But if a loose railing was reported months ago, or an icy sidewalk wasn’t salted for days, that excuse falls apart. We work to uncover signs that the issue was ignored or left unresolved.

What the Law in New York Says About Premises Liability

Premises liability in New York is shaped by several key rules that directly affect your rights. Understanding them is essential when deciding how to proceed.

New York follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. For example, if you were 30% responsible and the property owner 70%, you can recover 70% of your total damages.

Timing matters too. You typically have three years to file a personal injury claim. But if the injury happened on government-owned property, like a municipal sidewalk, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days. That deadline comes fast.

There’s also the “storm in progress” rule, unique to New York. If you slipped while snow was still falling, the property owner might not be liable. But once the storm stops, the clock starts. They must act quickly to clear snow and ice. Delays can cost them, and help your case.

Who Pays for Your Injuries in a Brighton Premises Case?

A successful case can help cover more than just the initial ER visit. If you’ve been injured, you’re entitled to request compensation for the full impact this accident has had on your life.

• Medical costs: This includes hospital visits, follow-up appointments, medications, physical therapy, and even long-term care needs.
• Lost income: If your injury prevents you from working, temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to recover wages you would’ve earned.
• Pain and suffering: Emotional distress, anxiety, trauma, and even loss of enjoyment in daily life all factor into your claim.

These aren’t just theoretical. They’re real, measurable losses that can affect your future. We work closely with medical providers, financial experts, and vocational specialists to put together the strongest claim possible.

Real-Life Places in Brighton Where These Cases Happen

These incidents happen where people live, shop, and spend time. In Brighton, we’ve seen cases arise from several specific types of locations.

At shopping centers like Twelve Corners Plaza, floors can become slippery from spills or tracked-in snow. If a business doesn’t clean it up promptly, it becomes dangerous fast.

In residential neighborhoods and apartment complexes, driveways, stairwells, and entrances are common trouble spots. Landlords must maintain these areas, and when they don’t, the consequences fall on tenants and visitors.

Public spaces are also a concern. The sidewalks near Brighton Memorial Library or Town Hall see a lot of foot traffic. Cracks, tree roots, or icy patches may seem minor, but they’ve caused serious injuries.

What Happens When You File a Case in Monroe County?

Filing a premises liability case doesn’t have to be intimidating. Our job is to walk you through every step so you’re never left in the dark.

Most cases start in the Monroe County Supreme Court, located in Rochester. The first step is filing a complaint. After that, we move into discovery, where both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. This is when a lot of the groundwork is done.

If the case doesn’t settle, it may go to trial. Supreme Court proceedings are formal, but we prepare you fully, so you’ll know exactly what to expect in court.

Why Legal Help Makes All the Difference

You might think the facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t see it that way. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, not to treat you fairly.

They may argue your injury isn’t as bad as it seems, or claim it was your fault. But we know how to fight back. We gather facts, consult experts, and negotiate aggressively so you get what you’re owed.

It’s not just about knowing the law, it’s about understanding Brighton. From how local courts operate to which government agencies handle sidewalk maintenance, that local experience can be the edge your case needs.

Horn Wright, LLP, Is Ready to Help You in Brighton

If you’ve been hurt on unsafe property in Brighton, our premises liability attorneys are ready to help you take the next step. We know this town, and we know how to hold negligent property owners accountable. When you work with Horn Wright, LLP, you get a legal team that’s deeply familiar with Brighton’s neighborhoods, courts, and legal standards. We’re proud to have been ranked as one of the most accomplished legal teams in the country, and we’re ready to put that skill to work for you.