Updated: March 17, 2026 · 3 min read
When it comes to premises liability, it is the legal responsibility of the property owner to maintain reasonably safe conditions for tenants and lawful visitors. Under New York law, as established in Basso v. Miller, 40 N.Y.2d 233 (1976), property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to all persons lawfully on the premises. This is why personal injury cases that involve being on another person’s property typically require proving that the owner had actual or constructive notice of a hazardous condition, that there was negligence in addressing it, and that this negligence ultimately resulted in injury.
In this particular case, our client suffered a bad slip when he fell on the hallway in front of his apartment. The building superintendent had been cleaning the hallway but failed to place adequate warning signage where our client could see it. The hallway was shaped like an L, making it difficult for tenants to see the wet floor sign even though one had been placed in the vicinity. Under New York premises liability law, a warning sign that is not visible or effectively positioned does not fulfill the property owner’s duty to warn.
When the client contacted The Orlow Firm, we first made sure to gather evidence documenting that the building’s layout made it impractical to see the signage from the area where he fell. This was accomplished by taking photographs of the location where the fall occurred, showing how the L-shaped hallway obstructed the view of the warning sign from our client’s direction of approach.
To address our client’s injuries, we referred him to a doctor and investigated whether the building’s insurance would cover the claim. Ultimately, we were able to secure a settlement, and our client received treatment for his knee injury.
At The Orlow Firm, we make sure our clients understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants and occupants of residential and commercial properties. We also keep our clients informed about the progress of their cases at every stage. In premises liability cases, we work diligently to obtain the best possible outcome depending on the specific circumstances of each client’s situation.
Anyone with questions about slip and fall accidents or premises liability can contact The Orlow Firm for a free consultation.
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