Hurt From Injuries in a Storm?

When You Can Hold Someone Accountable in Binghamton

Storms can turn life upside down in an instant. If you're dealing with injuries, property damage, and mounting medical bills, a personal injury attorney can help you figure out your next steps. One moment, you’re going about your day. The next, you’re dealing with injuries, property damage, and unexpected medical bills.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how devastating storm-related injuries can be, and our personal injury attorneys are here to help. If you're looking for top-tier legal representation, you can hire one of the best law firms in America. Our attorneys fight for Binghamton residents who’ve been hurt because someone else was negligent. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Negligent Property Owners in Binghamton: Are They Responsible for Your Injury?

Storms are tough, but property owners still have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. That means clearing snow, fixing damage, and making sure visitors aren’t walking into a dangerous situation. When they don’t, people get hurt.

When Snow Removal Failures and Unsafe Premises Put You in Danger

Binghamton winters aren’t just cold, they’re brutal. We’re talking 83 inches of snow per year, way above the national average. That means icy sidewalks, slick parking lots, and heavy snow piling up everywhere. If a property owner doesn’t stay on top of snow removal, you could end up with a serious injury. Some of the most dangerous property hazards after a storm include:

• Uncleared ice or snow on walkways – If a business, apartment complex, or homeowner doesn’t shovel or salt properly, you could take a nasty fall.
• Loose or fallen branches – In January 2022, a winter storm knocked out power to over 30,000 Broome County residents. Those same heavy branches can crash down on people, too.
• Roof collapses from too much snow – Snow isn’t just light and fluffy. It can weigh 20 pounds per cubic foot, which means a weak roof can cave in fast.
• Unstable structures weakened by extreme weather – Strong winds, ice, and heavy rain can weaken buildings. If something collapses and injures you, that’s not just an accident—it’s negligence.

If you got hurt because a property owner ignored their responsibility, they should be held accountable.

Can You Sue After a Tornado, Flood, or Ice Storm in Binghamton?

Extreme weather events can cause serious injuries, but not every injury is just an unfortunate accident. A Binghamton lawyer can help you determine if someone else's negligence played a role. If someone’s negligence made things worse, you may have the right to take legal action.

Proving That Your Injury Wasn’t Just Bad Luck

To have a strong case, you need to prove that someone’s actions—or inaction—put you in harm’s way. Here’s what that could look like:

• A landlord ignored a leaking roof, and it collapsed during a storm. New York’s Warranty of Habitability law (Real Property Law § 235-b) says landlords must keep rental properties safe. If they don’t, they can be held responsible.
• A construction company left materials unsecured, and a storm turned them into dangerous projectiles. Binghamton has seen wind gusts topping 60 mph during severe storms. Loose materials in those conditions can cause serious harm.
• A business failed to properly reinforce a sign, and it fell, injuring a customer. In 2021, a winter storm with 50 mph winds damaged several storefront signs in downtown Binghamton. A poorly secured sign could seriously injure or even kill someone.

Proving negligence takes strong evidence, maintenance records, witness statements, and expert opinions. If you think someone’s carelessness led to your injury, you deserve answers.

City Neglect and Dangerous Infrastructure: When Binghamton’s Roads Become a Trap

Storms put a lot of pressure on city infrastructure. Roads flood, bridges weaken, and storm drains back up. But when the city doesn’t take care of these issues, everyday people pay the price.

Why Failing Storm Drains, Weak Bridges, and Poor Road Conditions Matter

Some of the worst storm-related hazards in Binghamton include:

• Potholes and crumbling roads – The New York State DOT reports that over 30% of Binghamton’s roads are in poor condition. Add a storm, and those roads become even more dangerous.
• Collapsing or unstable bridges – Broome County has at least 10 structurally deficient bridges, according to the Federal Highway Administration. That’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a serious safety risk.
• Storm drains overflowing and flooding streets – The Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers already make Binghamton prone to flooding. In 2011, Tropical Storm Lee caused historic floods, shutting down roads and trapping residents. When the city doesn’t maintain drainage systems, it only makes things worse.

When You Can Sue the City for Failing to Prevent Harm

Suing the city isn’t easy, but it’s possible. The government has a duty to keep public spaces safe. If they ignore dangerous conditions like failing to fix a known pothole or letting a structurally weak bridge deteriorate, you may have a case. To hold the city accountable, you’ll need:

• Proof that officials knew about the hazard but did nothing – Public records or previous complaints can be strong evidence.
• Documentation of past issues with the same hazard – If others have reported the danger before, it strengthens your claim.
• Clear evidence linking the hazard to your injury – Photos, medical records, and expert opinions can help prove negligence.

Government claims have tight deadlines due to sovereign immunity laws, so if you suspect city neglect played a role in your injury, don’t wait to take action.

The Insurance Company Doesn’t Want to Pay—Here’s Why

Insurance companies don’t make money by paying out claims. After a storm, they do everything possible to protect their bottom line.

How Adjusters Use Disaster Claims to Avoid Payouts

Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims by:

• Blaming the weather, not negligence – They’ll argue that your injury was unavoidable and deny liability.
• Downplaying the severity of your injuries – They might send you to their doctors, who’ll say your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim.
• Dragging out the claims process – They know that if they delay long enough, you might accept a lowball offer just to move on.

Going up against an insurance company alone can feel impossible. That’s why having a Binghamton lawyer on your side makes all the difference.

Fighting the Legal Battle After a Storm-Related Injury

Getting hurt in a storm is bad enough. But dealing with the aftermath—medical bills, lost wages, and the legal mess? That can feel completely overwhelming. You’re trying to recover, but instead, you’re buried under stress. Knowing your rights and legal options can make a world of difference.

Storm-related injuries can happen in ways you’d never expect. Maybe you slipped on an icy, unmaintained sidewalk. Or a business failed to secure heavy signage, and it came crashing down in the wind. Some injuries happen in car accidents caused by storm debris, while others result from downed power lines that should’ve been dealt with sooner. No matter how it happened, if someone else’s negligence played a role, you deserve justice. A personal injury claim isn’t just about compensation, it’s about making sure you’re not left to pick up the pieces alone.

Filing a Claim for Compensation

A storm can turn your life upside down in an instant. A personal injury claim can help ease the financial burden and get you back on your feet. You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses – You shouldn’t have to drain your savings because of someone else’s negligence. A claim can help cover everything from hospital stays to physical therapy.
• Lost Income – You may be able to recover lost wages and if your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you could also seek compensation for future lost earnings.
• Pain and Suffering – The physical pain, stress, and emotional toll of an injury are real. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges what you’ve been through and helps you move forward.
• Property Damage – Storms can destroy more than just your sense of security. If someone’s negligence led to damage to your car, home, or other personal property, you shouldn’t have to cover the costs yourself.

If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, our Binghamton personal injury lawyer can give the justice you deserve. A claim isn’t just about money, it’s about making sure you’re not left dealing with the consequences alone.

Your Injury Wasn’t Your Fault—Make Sure Justice Is Served

Storms are unpredictable, but your legal rights shouldn’t be. If you were injured because someone else failed to act responsibly, you shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys fight for Binghamton residents who’ve been hurt in storm-related accidents. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the justice and compensation you deserve.