How Long Does It Usually Take to Settle a Premises Liability Case In New York City?

Posted in Premises Liability on December 23, 2025

Premises liability is a category of personal injury claims that recovers compensation for an injury victim who suffers harm on someone else’s property due to a property owner’s negligence. According to legal marketing statistics, the average premises liability claim takes 24 months to reach a settlement; however, individual cases vary widely in duration, ranging from a few months to several years, depending on multiple factors.

Contact a New York City premises liability lawyer today to get the compensation for you injuries.

What Is the Timeline of a Premises Liability Case In New York?

Many variables unique to each case impact the total length of a New York premises liability claim. The availability of evidence, the extent of the injured victim’s damages, and the willingness of the property owner’s liability insurer to offer a fair settlement are the principal factors determining how straightforward a case progresses and the total time between filing a claim and receiving a settlement. The timeline of a typical premises liability case in New York is as follows:

The injury victim hires a New York personal injury attorney
The attorney conducts an independent investigation with the injury victim’s best interests as their priority, while the insurance adjuster assigned to the case also investigates
The attorney documents evidence of the property owner’s liability, such as photo and video evidence, maintenance records, and previous requests for repairs
The attorney carefully calculates the injury victim’s damages by examining their medical records, medical bills, and employer statements
Consultations with medical experts assist the attorney in estimating future medical costs and determining a compensation amount for the injury victim’s pain and suffering
The attorney sends their findings to the insurance company
Negotiations for a settlement take place between the insurance adjuster and the attorney, sometimes requiring mediation meetings with all parties present
The case ends with a settlement or goes to court

Premises liability cases that go to court due to an insurance company’s wrongful denial or failure to offer an acceptable settlement take longer than average claims. Approximately 95% of premises liability cases in New York end in a settlement.

How Does the Statute of Limitations Impact My New York Premises Liability Claim?

Like all states, New York limits the amount of time an injury victim has to file a claim after their injury (spinal cord injuries, bruises, etc…), including in premises liability claims against a negligent property owner. Under Chapter 8 Article 2 Section 214, a claimant has up to three years from the date the injury occurred to file: “An action to recover damages for a personal injury.”

This includes premises liability cases. Under the statute of limitations, when a New York premises liability case requires court litigation, the injury victim must file a lawsuit within three years of the date the injury occurred. For this reason, insurance companies will not pay a claim filed after the statute of limitations, and filing too close to the time limit leaves less room for negotiation.

Filing a claim at the right time is an important aspect of the premises liability claim process. Often, insurance companies reach out quickly with a lowball settlement, intentionally offered before the injury victim knows the full extent of their damages. These offers almost always undervalue the claim. By allowing an attorney ample time to gather evidence to make a compelling claim, an injury victim maximizes their chances of a favorable outcome.