NYC Personal Injury Lawyer » NYC Plumbing Negligence Attorney

NYC Plumbing Negligence Attorney

A safe, dependable water supply and drainage system is a basic necessity in all New York City homes. NYC property owners and tenants must rely on professional plumbing companies and their paid employees to provide skilled maintenance and repairs with diligent attention to detail, professional ethics, and adherence to NYC’s building codes. When a plumber acts negligently on the job, it can cause serious adverse consequences to those living in the building, including water damage to property, injuries, and illnesses.

The results of plumbing negligence can feel overwhelming, but an New York City premises liability attorney is a powerful ally to help you recover compensation and a sense of justice.

Call the firm today at (212)-564-2800.

What Types of Negligent Plumbing In NYC Cause Losses and Injuries?

The way your attorney structures your NYC plumbing negligence claim depends on the type of negligence that caused your damages. Common examples of a plumber’s professional negligence include the following:

• Negligent installation or repairs, such as failing to tighten fittings, improperly reconnecting water supply lines, or failing to ensure proper pressure relief when installing a water heater, all of which can result in catastrophic plumbing failures
• Improper water and sewer pipework during building renovations
• Sewer backups due to incorrect grading on sewer drain lines, damaged pipe segments, or improperly connecting sewer laterals
• Damage from drain machines and high-pressure hydro-jetting, which can break older pipes
• Failing to isolate a building’s water supply before cutting into pipes, resulting in flooding and structural damage

Plumbing negligence sometimes causes far more harm than just ruined floors. In the worst cases, plumbing leaks cause structural damage, mold growth, and catastrophic failures, such as ceiling collapses.

Understanding Liability for Plumbing Negligence In NYC

Professional contractors, like plumbing companies, are held to a standard of care that requires them to perform their job duties competently, or the way another reasonably competent plumber would have under the same circumstances. Being unsatisfied with the results of a plumbing job isn’t enough to prove liability. Instead, the claimant has the burden of evidence and must show that the plumbing company did not uphold its duty of care, and that the breach of this duty of reasonable care directly caused the claimant’s damages.

Evidence in New York City plumbing negligence claims commonly includes the following:

• Photographic and video evidence
• Maintenance and repair records
• Physical evidence such as ruptured pipes and broken fittings
• Reports from independent plumbing inspectors
• Testimony from experts
• Evidence of prior complaints

Besides proving the plumbing company’s professional negligence, it’s also necessary to show compelling evidence of the resulting damages. A personal injury lawyer in New York City can help you with what evidence you need to collect and more, so reach out today for a free consultation.

Understanding Damages In NYC Plumbing Negligence Claims

It’s crucial to keep copies of all receipts and invoices to show evidence of damages directly caused by plumbing negligence. Common damages recovered include the following:

• Property damage costs for repairs and replacement, such as water extractions, mold treatments, drywall replacement, appliance replacement, and temporary housing costs
• Injury-related costs for ceiling collapse injuries, mold illnesses, and sewage exposure illnesses and infections, including total past and future medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs related to the injury or illness
• Lost earnings for time away from work to oversee damage repairs and/or during medical treatment
• Compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress

Under New York CPLR § 214(4), claimants have up to three years from the date of the event to file a NYC plumbing negligence claim.

What Can a NYC Plumbing Negligence Attorney Do for My Case?

Most plumbing negligence claims are resolved by a settlement from a liability insurance company, but some cases go to trial. In either event, a successful claim requires careful navigation and strong legal representation. Call or contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel at (212)-564-2800 to learn more about your right to full and fair compensation.