College Campus Accident Lawyers in NYC

Columbia, New York University, Fordham, St. John’s, Juilliard – all these colleges are dream locations for thousands of students around the country. NYC is home to these and many other top-rated colleges and universities. However, many campuses have hit the headlines for something no school wants recognition for – personal injuries. College campuses are full of opportunities for accidents. It is up to the college to take due care to reasonably prevent harm to students. Shirking any duty or responsibility can easily result in a student injury or wrongful death. If you or your child has been involved in a college accident in NYC, we can help.

Risks on a Typical College Campus

The everyday college campus has dozens of opportunities for accidents around every corner. Should this make students afraid to go to school? Not when the college is taking steps to prevent these risks. Every college and university owes strict standards of care to its students. These include the right to a campus that’s free from hazards and unreasonable risks of harms. Many campus-related injuries stem from someone else’s negligence. Common accidents that can result in personal injury lawsuits include:

• Accidental drowning
• Dorm room hazards
• Electrical malfunctions
• Fires and floods
• Food poisoning
• Hazing injuries
• Parking lot accidents
• Personal property damage
• Physical assaults
• Robberies
• Sexual abuse
• Slip and fall hazards

Many college accidents beg the question of comparative negligence, or the amount the injured party contributed to his or her injuries. This might be the case if the injured party was intoxicated at the time of the incident, not paying proper attention (e.g. texting and walking), or breaking a campus rule. New York is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that, even if the courts find the plaintiff partially at fault for an accident, the plaintiff is still eligible for partial recovery. The courts will simply reduce the plaintiff’s award amount by his/her percentage of fault.

Should You File a Personal Injury Claim?

A college campus accident could deal with premises liability laws, negligence doctrines, or intent to harm. These are three different areas of law with separate legal processes. It takes an investigation of your claim to determine the cause of the accident, the likely defendant(s), and your opportunities for pursuing compensation. Talk to an attorney for more information about your specific incident and potential strategies. You may find you’re eligible for a sizable settlement because of the college’s negligence in causing your injuries.

Dealing with a personal injury claim can seem like a lot to a college student or his or her parents. You probably prefer to focus on recovering from your injuries. At Pazer Epstein Jaffe Fein & Gozenput, P.C., we want to help you do both. We’ll take over the legwork of your case, such as communications with your college campus’s insurance company. You won’t have to worry about missing filing deadlines or forgetting one of New York’s many legal requirements. We will handle the red tape while you direct your attention on healing. Get started with a free case evaluation. Fill out our online intake form and prepare to work with a team of experienced professionals that has your best interests at heart.