If you were injured in a store, restaurant, or some other location outside of your home, including another person's residence, you need to understand your legal rights and interests. Injuries in a property owned and controlled by someone else is governed by what legally is known as the doctrine of premises liability.
Understanding Premises Liability
A person who controls a particular premise has a duty to keep it in reasonably safe condition for a visitor to that property. For example, the owner of a grocery store has a legal duty to keep the floor reasonably clear of hazards that can cause a customer to slip and fall. The failure to do so can result in the store owner being legally responsible for a slip and fall accident, and associated injuries. A key consideration to hold a party responsible for an accident, as well as associated injuries, is the matter of who controls the premises. In the example of the store owner, that party has control over the floor of the market. On the other hand, the landlord and owner of the building would not have legal control over the floor of a nature that would make that party responsible for a slip and fall case arising from spilled liquid on the floor. A skilled, experienced premises liability attorney understands how to analyze the facts surrounding an accident to ascertain which parties can potentially be held legally responsible for the injuries, damages, and losses you sustained.Compensation for Premises Liability Injuries
Compensation awarded in a premises liability case depends upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident and the nature and extent of your injuries. Wit that noted, these are certain types of losses that commonly are compensated in a premises liability case. These include:- Pain and Suffering
- Medical Bills and Expenses
- Permanent Disability
- Permanent Disfigurement
- Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress
- Lost Income