Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer
Every landowner has a duty to keep visitors on their land safe from harm. This involves maintaining their property in a way that prevents accidental injuries from slips and falls. However, a property owner’s obligations go far beyond this bare minimum.
Injuries may result from inherent defects in the land that contribute to many types of injuries. Something as simple as insufficient lighting may cause a person to suffer an injury or embolden an attacker. If you can point to a landowner who fails to provide safe surroundings that contributed to an injury, you may have the right to compensation.
A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer may be able to help you to collect payments to cover your losses. A well-versed Philadelphia personal injury attorney could help you collect compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and mental anguish. En Español.
Demonstrating a Right to Enter
All plaintiffs in premises liability cases should be able to demonstrate that they had a right to be on the land at the time of the injury. Usually, this means that a plaintiff had an express or implied invitation to enter the land. An express invitation may include receiving a text message to visit a neighbor’s house of a party. Implied invitations apply when a business holds itself open to the public during normal hours.
All property owners have an obligation to keep their land reasonably safe. This includes obligations to remove any hazards that may arise on a temporary basis and work towards general maintenance that may render the land generally unsafe.
A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer could help evaluate a visitor’s rights and examine steps taken by a landowner to provide protection.
Examples of Premises Liability Claims
A common example of a premises liability case is a slip and fall claim. Since landowners have a duty to protect their visitors from foreseeable harm, a failure to notice and fix temporary slippery patches of ice or water may indicate liability. However, the obligations of landowners stretch far beyond this limited example.
Other prominent examples of personal injuries that may result from property owner negligence include:
- Failure to provide adequate security in the forms of lock or personnel
- Failure to provide adequate emergency exists during disasters such as fires
- Failure to fix reported dangers in apartments or common areas for tenants
Philadelphia’s courts use a modified contributory negligence theory of the law in accident cases. According to PA Gen. Stat. §7102, plaintiffs who are more than half to blame for an incident cannot recover any compensation. If a plaintiff carries less than half the blame, a jury must reduce their award by the percentage of blame that they carry.
A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer could help to press a plaintiff’s claim for damages and rebut any assertion by a defendant that a plaintiff contributed to their own injuries.
Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases
Injuries that occur on someone else’s property can often lead to premises liability claims, where an injured person seeks compensation from the responsible property owner. These claims arise when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, resulting in harm to visitors or residents.
Whether a commercial or private property owner, Philadelphia’s premises liability law requires that they keep their properties free of hazardous conditions that may cause harm.
Philadelphia premises liability lawyers regularly handle cases where victims suffer serious injuries due to negligent property owners.
Here are some of the most common injuries that result in premises liability lawsuits:
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- One of the most frequent causes of premises liability accidents, slip and fall incidents can occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or icy sidewalks. These accidents can cause broken bones, head trauma, or spinal cord injuries, leading to extensive medical treatment and medical bills. An experienced premises liability attorney can help victims recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.
- Broken Bones
- Whether from a slip and fall, escalator accidents, or amusement park injuries, broken bones are a common result of premises liability cases. These injuries often require surgery and physical pain management, leaving victims with high medical costs and the need for maximum compensation for recovery.
- Head and Brain Injuries
- Premises liability accidents can lead to severe head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries may result from falls, falling objects, or negligent security leading to assaults. Victims often require long-term care and incur significant medical expenses, which a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer can pursue through settlement negotiations or in court.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Falls from heights, swimming pool accidents, or unsafe conditions in buildings can lead to back or spinal cord injuries. Such injuries may require extensive medical care and cause long-term disabilities. Premises liability attorneys work to ensure that injured individuals receive fair compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages.
- Burn Injuries
- Premises liability claims can also arise from burns suffered due to fires, defective electrical wiring, or dangerous chemical exposure on someone else’s property. These injuries often result in permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and extensive medical records that need to be reviewed to secure financial compensation.
- Injuries from Falling Objects
- Objects falling from shelves or buildings can cause significant harm, including traumatic head injuries or broken bones. These accidents frequently occur on commercial properties where property owners owe visitors a duty of care to prevent dangerous conditions. Victims in these situations can seek maximum compensation with the help of premises liability lawyers.
- Assaults Due to Negligent Security
- When property owners fail to provide adequate security, such as proper lighting or personnel, visitors can become victims of assaults. Injuries sustained in these attacks can be severe, and Philadelphia premises liability attorneys can file lawsuits against the responsible parties to recover compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries on someone else’s property, an experienced premises liability attorney can help you navigate the legal process to recover maximum compensation. Schedule a free consultation with our legal team today to explore your legal options and ensure you receive the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Reach out to a Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney
If you have suffered an injury while visiting another person’s property, you may have the right to compensation. However, this may only apply if a landowner failed to take appropriate action to provide protection and if you had permission to be on the land. These failures could result in slips and falls, injuries that result from structural failures, or even poor security that may embolden an attacker.
A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer could help you to pursue your claim for appropriate compensation. This may include payments for medical bills, lost earnings, and even mental anguish. The law limits the time that you have to file a claim so do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney today.
Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about premises liability cases in Philadelphia:
1. What is a premises liability claim?
A premises liability claim arises when someone suffers injuries due to hazardous conditions on another person’s property. The injured person may seek financial compensation from the property owner or responsible party, whether it’s a private or commercial property owner. This type of claim typically involves proving that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it.
2. What are common types of premises liability accidents?
Some of the most common premises liability accidents include slip and fall accidents, escalator accidents, swimming pool accidents, amusement park injuries, and injuries resulting from negligent security. These accidents often lead to severe injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and burns.
3. What do I need to prove in a premises liability lawsuit?
To successfully file a premises liability lawsuit, you need to prove that the property owner owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist, and that this breach caused your injuries. An experienced premises liability attorney can help gather evidence, including medical records and witness statements, to support your case.
4. Can I file a premises liability claim if I was partially at fault?
Under Pennsylvania law, even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you might still be able to file a liability claim. However, Philadelphia premises liability cases follow a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault. The amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
5. What types of compensation can I recover in a premises liability case?
Victims of premises liability accidents may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, non-economic damages like pain and suffering, and physical pain. A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
6. How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Philadelphia?
Under Pennsylvania law, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Failing to file within this period may result in the loss of your right to seek fair compensation.
7. Who can be held liable in a premises liability case?
In a premises liability case, various parties may be held liable, including private property owners, commercial property owners, or even property management companies. The key is to determine who is responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring safe conditions. Premises liability attorneys can help identify the responsible parties.
8. How can a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer help me?
A skilled Philadelphia premises liability attorney can assist you throughout the legal process, from filing your claim to settlement negotiations. They will gather necessary evidence, deal with insurance companies, and fight to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.
9. What should I do after a premises liability accident?
After a premises liability accident, it’s essential to seek medical treatment immediately, document the hazardous conditions, collect witness information, and report the incident to the property owner or management. An initial consultation with an experienced premises liability attorney can help you understand your legal options.
10. Will my premises liability case go to trial?
Many premises liability cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, but some may proceed to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Your premises liability lawyer will guide you through the legal process and represent you in court if necessary, aiming to secure the best outcome for your case.
If you’ve been injured due to a negligent property owner, schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Contact a Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney
If you have suffered an injury while visiting another person’s property, you may have the right to compensation. However, this may only apply if a landowner failed to take appropriate action to provide protection and if you had permission to be on the land.
These failures could result in slips and falls, injuries that result from structural failures, or even poor security that may embolden an attacker.
A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer could help you to pursue your claim for appropriate compensation. This may include payments for medical bills, lost earnings, and even mental anguish. The law limits the time that you have to file a claim so do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney today.
Philadelphia Office Location
1700 Market St Suite 3150,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-567-7600