Premises Liability: Your Rights as an Injured Visitor Explained
Every day, thousands of individuals enter public buildings, private residences, businesses, and other properties without a second thought about their safety. Trusting in the integrity of these establishments, we rarely anticipate that a sudden accident or injury might occur. But what happens when property owners fail to uphold their duty of care? Premises liability is a legal concept that comes into play in personal injury cases where the injury was caused by some type of unsafe or defective condition on someone’s property. As an injured visitor, it’s essential to understand your rights.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to a property owner’s legal responsibility for accidents or injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. From slip-and-fall accidents in a grocery store to incidents involving faulty elevators in an office building, premises liability covers a broad range of scenarios. Essentially, if you are injured on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries through a premises liability lawsuit.
Some common examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slip and fall cases
- Snow and ice accidents
- Inadequate maintenance of the premises
- Defective conditions on the premises
- Inadequate building security leading to injury or assault
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Dog bites
- Swimming pool accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Fires
- Water leaks or flooding, and more
To succeed in a premises liability lawsuit, the injured party must prove that the property owner was negligent with respect to ownership and/or maintenance of the property. Furthermore, the injured party must establish that the property owner’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing the harm.
Your Rights as an Injured Visitor
As a visitor on someone else’s property, you have the right to expect a certain level of safety. Whether you’re a customer at a store, a guest at a hotel, or simply visiting a friend’s house, the property owner owes you a duty of care. If the property owner fails to uphold this duty and you get injured as a result, you may have the right to pursue a premises liability lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries.
In a premises liability claim, you could potentially recover compensation for:
- Medical bills, including future medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost wages if the injury prevented you from working
- Pain and suffering, including both physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
Remember, each case is unique. It’s vital to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help you understand the potential value of your case and guide you through the legal process.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property and believe that negligence may be involved, it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if you have a viable premises liability claim and can guide you through the legal process.
Here are some key signs that you should reach out to a personal injury attorney:
The injury is severe: If your injury requires hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, chiropractic work, cosmetic surgery, or orthopedics, you should contact an attorney right away.
The fault is not clear: If it’s not clear who is at fault for your accident, you should contact an attorney. They can help you determine who should be held responsible and gather the necessary evidence.
The property owner is uncooperative: If the property owner or their insurance company refuses to pay or attempts to lowball you, an attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
You’re feeling overwhelmed: The legal process can be complex and confusing, especially if you’re dealing with the stress and pain of an injury. An attorney can help you navigate the system and take some of the burdens off your shoulders.
How Gay Chacker & Ginsburg Can Help
At Gay Chacker & Ginsburg, we are committed to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys understands the intricacies of premises liability law and can guide you through the legal process.
We believe that no one should have to suffer due to the negligence of a property owner. That’s why we fight aggressively for our clients, using our extensive resources and expertise to build the strongest possible case.
When you work with us, you can expect:
Personalized attention: We understand that every case is unique. We’ll take the time to get to know you and understand your specific needs.
Expert legal advice: With decades of experience in personal injury law, we have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex premises liability cases.
No fee unless we win: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us a cent unless we win your case.
Commitment to your recovery: Our goal is to help you recover both physically and financially. We’ll handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, don’t wait. Contact the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Gay Chacker & Ginsburg today for a free consultation. Let us put our expertise to work for you, fighting for your rights and helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
