If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, you may want to lawyer up. Read on to learn more about premises liability claims, and see how the right legal team can help you get compensation.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability basically means that the owner of a property is responsible for the health and safety of others who are interacting with their property. A premises liability lawsuit means you’re holding a property owner accountable if you were hurt while on (or doing anything with) their property.
It’s important to remember that a premises liability claim only really works if you can prove that the property owner could have done something to prevent your injuries, but neglected this responsibility. As a premises liability lawyer like our friends at Council & Associates, LLC can explain, negligence is key.
What Counts As Property?
Most people assume property just applies to houses or land, but in a premises liability case, “property” can apply to a lot more than that. Someone’s property may extend to pets, their place of business, and more.
“Property” doesn’t just mean property owned by an individual, either. It can be owned by a business (such as a retail store or hotel) as well. The key takeaway here is that the owner or manager of a property has a duty to visitors: They have to keep visitors safe, and if they fail to do so, they may have a lawsuit on their hands.
What Are Some Common Examples Of Premises Liability Claims?
Every case is different, but one common example of a premises liability claim is a slip and fall at a grocery store. If a customer is at a grocery store and slips on an unmarked (or insufficiently marked) wet floor, they may have a good reason to file a premises liability suit against the grocery store.
Another example is a dog bite. You can’t be “on” a dog like you’re “on” someone’s property, but you can be interacting with one, and a pet still counts as property. As with the grocery store example, the property owner can (and should) be held accountable in case their dog bites anyone.
How Can A Lawyer Help Me?
A premises liability claim can be difficult to navigate by yourself, and you may not even have a case in the first place. It’s important to go over all the specifics with a qualified lawyer so you know your next steps, and you know whether your case has legs to stand on.
When you get in touch with a lawyer, he or she can also investigate your accident to determine whether or not any other parties can be held accountable for your injuries. But how do you know you’re dealing with a good lawyer?
What Should I Look For In A Premises Liability Lawyer?
Unfortunately, not all lawyers are created equal. Some are only in it for the money, and some don’t have the experience. Every case is different, so you need a legal team that provides hands-on, dedicated and personal case management. Fortunately, most law firms offer free consultations to make shopping around a little easier.
If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, get in touch with a premises liability lawyer today.
