When someone is injured or killed as the result of dangerous conditions on another party’s property, the case falls under the realm of Pennsylvania’s premises liability law, and the victims may be able to seek financial recompense for their injuries. This applies to any property, regardless of ownership, whether commercial, public or private.
Premises liability cases are sometimes difficult to prove, but if you and your attorney can substantiate your claim adequately, you likely will be able to pursue a claim against the responsible party to seek financial compensation for all the associated damages.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Some of the most common types of property liability cases include:
- slips, trips and falls (falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in the nation, according to the National Safety Council);
- automatic door injury;
- objects and equipment falling on victims;
- elevator and escalator accidents;
- amusement park accidents;
- swimming pool drownings;
- assaults related to negligent security; and
- dog bites and other animal attacks.
Unfortunately, many victims fail to take legal action after an accident occurs on another person’s or entity’s property because they simply aren’t aware of their legal rights. They might not be fully aware of the forms of legal recourse that the law provides for injured victims. This is why it’s advisable to speak to a local attorney after being involved in any type of injury accident.
Premises Liability & Negligence
Premises liability claims hinge on the concept of negligence. In order to have a valid case, a victim will need to be able to show that the property owner was negligent in taking care of the dangerous condition that caused the injury.
There are a lot of different ways in which a property owner may be negligent in a premises liability case. Owners may be at fault for an accident, if, for instance, they:
- didn’t hire adequate security;
- didn’t maintain the property well (e.g., loose boards on steps, exposed wires, weakened or damaged roof, etc.);
- didn’t put up signage to warn about hazards;
- had spills on floors, loose carpets, equipment or products lying around, etc; or
- kept an uncontained, dangerous animal.
In order to prove a premises liability claim successfully, you and your attorney will have to collect ample evidence to demonstrate that the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and that he or she failed to take care of it in an appropriate and timely manner.
Seeking Financial Restitution: Taking the First Step
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries that were the result of someone else’s negligence, Pennsylvania law provides you with a way to recover your losses.
You can file a claim or lawsuit against the appropriate party, demonstrate fault and the extent of your damages, and then possibly win a settlement award to cover your losses.
The first step in pursuing a claim is to consult a local premises liability attorney who handles personal injury claims – specifically premises liability cases. When you enlist the help of an attorney, they will be able to assess your accident, determine the at-fault party and then explain the best way to move forward with legal action.
Contact a Premises Liability Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you need help from a premises liability attorney, reach out to us and schedule your free consultation. Our premises liability attorneys are experienced and knowledgable personal injury attorneys who will help you understand your case and what your best options are moving forward.
Our premises liability attorney consultations are 100% FREE, so contact us today, and we’ll help you move forward with your case!
