Premises Liability Injuries

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

A skilled premises liability lawyer will also fight to ensure that you obtain compensation for losses you reasonably can be expected to face in the future. For example, if you are injured in a slip and fall case in a retail store, you may require ongoing medical care and treatment into the future. You may need physical and occupational therapy. In addition, you may experience pain for an indefinite period of time. You may not be able to return to work in the immediate future. All of these represent the types of future losses for which you may be entitled to obtain compensation in your case. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may also be entitled to what is known as punitive or exemplary damages. Punitive damages provide you not only additional compensation, but also serve as a means of punishing the party that caused your accident for particularly egregious or reckless conduct.

Retaining a Premises Liability Attorney

The first step in retaining the professional services of a premises liability attorney is scheduling what is known as an initial consultation. At an initial consultation, a premises liability lawyer provides you with an overview of your case. This includes a discussion of possible strategies that can be employed to ensure that you obtain justice and optimal compensation for your premises liability injuries. As a general rule, there is no charge for an initial consultation with premises liability attorneys. In addition, a premises liability lawyer typically utilizes what is known as a contingency fee agreement. Pursuant to this type of agreement, you pay no fee for legal representation unless and until a premises liability lawyer obtains compensation for you. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

If your loved one sustained an injury resulting in a wrongful death, contact us.