Premise liability is a type of personal injury law that holds the property owner responsible for injuries sustained on their property, regardless of fault.
What is a Premise Liability Lawyer
Premise liability is a type of personal injury law that holds the property owner responsible for injuries sustained on their property, regardless of fault. Premises liability cases can involve many different types and areas of negligence and how they relate to premises liability laws.
The person may be a property owner, as in the case of a homeowner who leaves an object on his front porch which falls and injures someone, or it may be a business establishment such as a grocery store. In either case, if there is some hazardous condition outside of one's home or business premises, they could potentially face legal ramifications for not taking reasonable steps to remedy the situation.
Six Myths About Premise Liability
Only Property Owners Can Be Held Responsible in Premises Liability Claims
Quite the opposite is true. Landlords, property managers, maintenance staff and others may be held responsible in premises liability cases. Any one of them could have caused or ignored the hazard that led to your injury. A premise liability lawyer in Tacoma, WA, from Park Chenaur & Associates, can help you determine who is at fault.
Premises Liability Claims Only Apply to Commercial Properties
Premises liability covers any and all premises. Commercial properties, public facilities and private homes can all lead to a premises liability claim being filed if negligence can be proven. Your premise liability lawyer in Tacoma, WA, can help you file a claim against any property owner or manager.
You Can't Pursue a Slip and Fall Claim if There Was a Wet Floor Sign
With or without a sign, the property owner must use reasonable care in making sure the premises are safe. In addition to wet floor signs, there may be a sign that says "enter at your own risk." This also doesn't absolve the property owner of their duty of care to ensure the safety of customers, clients or guests.
You Can't File a Claim if a Property Owner Wasn't Aware of a Dangerous Condition
The property owner or manager can be held liable if he reasonably should have known about the hazard and didn't have it remedied in a reasonable amount of time. For example, if there's a leaky freezer unit in a grocery store, it's reasonable to assume the store manager should have been aware of the leak and mopped up the floor.
You Can't File a Claim if a Slip and Fall Accident Occurred in a Public Place
Government entities are no less immune to premises liability than private property owners. If you're injured in a government building, a library or a park, you can file a claim against the government itself. A Park Chenaur & Associates premise liability lawyer in Tacoma, WA, can help you file that claim.
A Person Can Only File a Claim for Physical Injury in a Slip and Fall Case
If you slip and fall, that's one type of premises liability. Physical injury is certainly one factor in a slip and fall, but it's not the only one. You can also claim lost wages for any time you have to be away from work; pain and suffering; and emotional distress.
What To Ask Your Premises Liability Lawyer
What Injuries Are Covered Under Premises Liability Law?
In Tacoma, WA, a premise liability lawyer should know all the injuries or accidents covered under this law. For example, you slip and fall on someone else's property, have an accident in their swimming pool, or are hurt on one of their balconies; you may be eligible for damages. In addition, if you are bitten by someone else's dog, injured in a fire, or because of lax or negligent security, you may need to contact a reputable attorney, such as those at Park Chenaur & Associates, to fight for you.
When Should I File my Claim?
All personal injury cases fall under statutes of limitations, so you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. Therefore, ask your prospective law firms, e.g., Park Chenaur & Associates, when is the best time for you to file your claim. Your attorney may suggest that you wait until all your medical bills and loss of wages are calculated and medical treatments are completed. By waiting, you can get a more accurate calculation of the accident's cost. However, some attorneys may suggest filing your claim immediately but ask for their reasons.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company Settlement?
Insurance companies are for-profit companies, and their job is to make money. Paying out claims is the opposite of making money, so they will typically offer you a low amount or decline your claim altogether. If you accept a settlement offer, you also waive your right to sue the company for damages. If your injuries are extensive or ongoing, this is a horrible deal for you. Therefore, contact a premise liability lawyer in Tacoma, WA, before communicating with the insurance company.
Do I Have a Claim?
Your initial question may be whether your case is strong enough to file a claim and win. A reputable premise liability lawyer in Tacoma, WA, will review your case and give you an idea of its strength. These professionals should also guide you in what documents or evidence will strengthen your case. A reputable attorney will also discuss why your claim may be denied or invalid. For example, suppose you were trespassing and were not legally allowed to be on the property. In that case, you generally don't have a valid claim unless reckless or intentional actions caused your injuries and the owners knew you were on the premises. However, if you were a customer or invited guest, your claim should be valid. This initial consultation about your case should be free.
Why you should choose Park Chenaur & Associates as your Premise Liability Lawyer in Tacoma, WA
If you or someone in your family has been injured on someone else's property, then you need an attorney that will fight for you! Park Chenaur & Associates are here to help those who have suffered injuries due to another's negligence. There are many law firms out there offering their services as Premise Liability Lawyers in Tacoma, WA, and it can be challenging to choose one that is right for your case. At Park Chenaur & Associates, we have over 50 years of combined experience representing people who have been injured due to the negligence of others.
We are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. We have represented clients from all walks of life, including children, young adults, senior citizens, and even pets! Our attorneys understand how traumatic an accident or injury caused by someone else's negligence can be on your family. This is why Park Chenaur & Associates work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the maximum amount of compensation possible under the circumstances. You can trust us with your case because we will always treat you like family and fight hard on your behalf every step of the way.
We understand how difficult this time is for you and want nothing more than to help ease some of that stress so you can focus on getting better again. Let us take care of everything else while you focus on healing! Park Chenaur & Associates offer free initial consultations, so if you would like more information about our firm or need a lawyer, please call us today! If you were injured and believe someone is to blame, you should schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Tacoma, WA, at Park Chenaur & Associates today.
Strategizing for a Legal Claim Involving Premises Liability
When someone is injured on another person's property, it may be best to speak with a Tacoma, WA premises liability lawyer. While premises liability is a form of personal injury, cases of this nature can be complex and challenging to prove. There are many ways that premises liability accidents happen, all of which can result in injury. As a victim suffering from injuries, it's critical to build a strong case against the responsible party proving their negligence. When establishing a premises liability case, Park Chenaur & Associates can assist in strategizing and helping you to understand how to navigate medical care and injuries that occur on public property.
How Premises Liability Cases Happen
Premises liability cases are common because there are many ways they can happen. Accidents often result when the property owner or manager fails to keep the property safe and free from hazards. Common types of cases classified as premises liability may involve:
- Pool Incidents
- Dog Bites
- Slipping on Wet Flooring or Pavement
- Tripping over Debris on Flooring or Pavement
- Broken Stairs and Railings
- Exposure to Harmful Chemicals
- Malfunctioning or Poorly Taken Care of Equipment
- Fires
Dangerous situations on the property of others could be impactful, so- seeking medical treatment, focusing on recovering, and reaching out to a premises liability attorney from Tacoma may be essential to prioritize.
Slip & Falls That Happen on Public Property
Proving damages that have taken place on public property may seem impossible to prove. However, it's possible to reach a successful outcome when the proper steps are taken. Start the process by reporting the accident to the property owner or manager and completing an accident report. If you are in a public space where this is not available to you, take the time to contact the property owner as soon as possible. In addition, its' imperative to gather as much evidence by gathering eyewitness contact information and taking pictures of the scene and injuries.
Seeking Medical Treatment
In some cases, injuries may be apparent, making the need for medical care obvious. Sometimes, the victim may not realize they have been injured until later. Regardless of the circumstances, medical treatment plays a key role for many reasons, including:
- Medical treatment helps to tie the injuries to the accident
- Documentation of medical diagnosis and treatments
- Medical treatment helps to rule out any underlying conditions
- Medical treatment ensures the victim receives the best possible care and a chance at a positive recovery
As a victim, it can be easy to brush off pain from an accident, but when victims of premises liability do not seek medical care, it can be far more challenging to prove that damages occurred. Property that has not been kept in safe and proper working conditions can be dangerous for those who visit the property. When the property owner does not uphold their duty of care, and injuries are the result, victims may take legal action. Park Chenaur & Associates can carefully evaluate the case and assist with making sure that your rights are protected. Schedule a consultation with our Tacoma, WA premises liability lawyer that victims can depend on.