Call Steve Morris Law to discuss your case with our Anniston premises liability lawyer.
When you are on the premises of another, the person who is in control of the property owes you a duty of care. They must take reasonable measures to keep you safe. They do not have to insure against each and every single accident. There are times when you may have been injured, and the property owner has not done anything wrong. When the property owner has been negligent, you may be legally entitled to a financial recovery.
What Is a Premises Liability Case?
Premises liability cases encompass a wide variety of legal actions. Anytime that you have been injured on someone else’s property, you may possibly have a case.
First, you must prove that the property owner, or the person who had control of the property, breached their duty of care by acting unreasonably under the circumstances. In many cases, you would need to show that they either knew or should have known of the danger and did not take reasonable measures to warn you or keep you safe.
Examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slip and falls
- Negligent security cases
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Patio and deck collapses
- Fires
- Hotel accidents
To win each of these cases, you would need to show that the property owner did not act reasonably under the circumstances.
Legal Visitors to a Property
In general, the following are legal visitors to a property:
- An invitee is a person who visits a property to engage in the business of the owner (the most common example is someone who visits a store)
- A licensee enters the property of another, but there is no intent to engage in business (the usual example is a social guest)
The property owner owes a duty of care to both invitees and licensees. They owe a higher duty of care to invitees.
A trespasser has no legal right to be on the property. The owner must only avoid harming them when they are on the property but otherwise owe them no duty of care.
Damages in a Premises Liability Case
If you have been injured in a premises liability accident, the responsible party must pay you for all the damages that you have suffered. These include your physical injury and other losses, including:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
There is a chance that you could even get punitive damages from the responsible party. You have a better chance of being awarded punitive damages when you are suing a corporate defendant, and they have been egregiously negligent.
How a Premises Liability Lawyer in Anniston Can Help
Premises liability cases are often difficult ones. First, you are often dealing with a corporate defendant and their insurance company, who are devoted to defeating your claim. Second, your claim could be a common one, like a slip and fall, which is often difficult to prove.
A premises liability lawyer will do the following in your case:
- Investigate the accident and gather proof to show that someone else was responsible
- Explain your legal options after reviewing your case
- Prepare a claim to submit to the insurance company or a lawsuit to file in court
- Negotiate a possible settlement to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries
- Always be available to answer your questions
Contact an Anniston Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you have been injured on the property of another, you may have a potential legal case.
Contact Steve Morris Law in Anniston to discuss whether you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit. We will handle your case from start to finish, as we fight for your right to financial compensation. You can schedule a free initial consultation by sending us a message through our website or calling us today at 256-357-9211. We do not charge you upfront, and you do not pay unless you win.
