The Perils of Dangerous Premises

Owners and occupiers of real estate are under a duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition so as not to cause unseasonable risks of harm to those who visit or purchase goods and services on their property. Victims can suffer serious injuries when they’re at home or at a commercial establishment, office building, or recreational facility. If the owner or occupier of premises knew or should have known of a dangerous condition that caused injuries to somebody else and didn’t take reasonable steps to protect visitors, a person who suffered injuries from that condition could be eligible to pursue compensation for their damages. A victim will be in need of a skilled and compassionate premises liability attorney for that purpose.

Types of Premises Liability Accidents

Premises liability claims or lawsuits can arise from a wide variety of conditions. Here are a few examples:

• Slip-and-Falls and Trip-and-Falls: These are the most common types of premises liability accidents. They’re typically caused by wet floors, uneven walking surfaces, accumulations of ice and snow, holes in parking lots, or obstructions in store aisles.
• Dog Bites: A serious attack by a dog can result in skin, muscle, nerve, and even bone damage. Dog bites can cause permanent disfigurement or disability too, particularly to children.
• Hotel and Motel Accidents: A certain level of safety is expected by hotel or motel guests. Door and window locks must be in proper working order, gyms and equipment must be free from defects and swimming pools must be observed.
• Elevator and Escalator Accidents: Each state has its own laws governing these devices. For example, BOCA National Codes set forth minimum requirements for all aspects of building construction, including any mechanical systems.
• Falling Merchandise: These types of accidents are typically seen in big box stores where inventories are stacked high above customer aisles. That merchandise can fall on unsuspecting customers below in the same aisle or even an adjacent aisle.
• Negligent Security: Owners and occupiers of property have a duty to protect customers from security risks like criminal activity that are known or should have been known. Background checks of potential employees must also be performed.

Be Careful of the Statute of Limitations

Be mindful of the fact that a personal injury claim with an insurance company is not a personal injury lawsuit. Every state has a deadline for the filing of a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the time prescribed by law, you’ll likely get dismissed if you file late. You’ll be barred from proceeding further forever, so don’t sit on your rights. The type of accident that you were a victim of might even have a shorter statute of limitations than other personal injury cases.

What to Do After Being Injured in a Premises Liability Accident

Assuming that you were injured on a commercial property as opposed to a private home, try to obtain photos of the condition that caused you to be injured. Then, report the occurrence to management. After that, get to an emergency room immediately. If an ambulance is necessary, don’t hesitate to call 911. Follow all instructions from emergency room personnel. If you’re contacted by an insurance company’s representative, don’t give any type of written or recorded statement, no matter what that individual says.

Rather than doing that, contact a reputable and effective personal injury lawyer for a consultation and case review. Most quality personal injury lawyers offer initial consultations at no cost. Preserve and protect your rights by doing that as soon as possible after your premises liability accident. As these types of lawyers ordinarily take cases on a contingency fee basis, you probably won’t even need to pay any type of retainer fee. Keep that statute of limitations in mind, and make your appointment for that consultation and case review as soon as you can.