Finding the right owner and insurer
The name on the storefront is often a tenant rather than the owner, and a management company may run the building for a separate ownership entity. In New York City, property ownership records can be searched online, and commercial leases commonly require tenants to carry liability coverage that also protects the owner. Reporting the incident to the business or building management, and asking for the name of its insurer, is usually a reasonable first step. Keep a copy of any incident report and write down the name of the person who took it.
Medical care and the record of injury
Get medical care promptly and describe how the injury happened to each provider, since medical records often become the main evidence connecting the incident to the harm. Follow through with recommended treatment and keep appointment records, because insurers frequently point to gaps in care. Keep the shoes or clothing you were wearing, photographs of the location and your injuries, and contact information for witnesses. If the location needs to be inspected or measured later, your lawyer can arrange that properly. Mention any earlier injury to the same part of the body as well, since the insurer is likely to find it in your records anyway.
Before a long talk with the adjuster
An adjuster may ask for a recorded statement and a broad medical authorization. It is often wise to speak with a lawyer before agreeing to either, since an early statement can be read against you and a broad authorization can reach unrelated medical history. If the property belongs to a city, a state agency, or a public authority, a notice of claim usually has to be filed within a short window, and missing it can end the claim. In a first conversation we identify the responsible parties, confirm the deadlines, and decide what to request and preserve first. We also explain how the claim is likely to proceed with the insurer once your treatment has progressed.
