Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. But when you get hurt on property that belongs to someone else, you may have a premises liability case. If the property owner was negligent in keeping their premises safe, they can be held responsible for your injuries.
At Smith & Jones Law, our experienced Lexington premises liability lawyers have been fighting for accident victims for over 35 years. We know the pain, stress, and financial hardship an unexpected injury can cause. And we are here to help you get the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is an area of personal injury law. It refers to the legal responsibility property owners have to keep their property reasonably safe and free of hazards. This includes homes, businesses, government buildings, and public spaces.
Some common examples of premises liability cases are:
- Slip and falls due to wet floors, icy sidewalks, torn carpeting, or broken stairs
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Fires
- Toxic fumes or chemicals
- Inadequate building security leading to injury or assault
Property Owner Negligence
For a premises liability case, you must show that the property owner was negligent in some way.
This means they failed to exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions on their property.
There are three main ways to prove negligence:
- The owner caused the dangerous condition.
- The owner knew about the dangerous condition but did nothing about it.
- The owner should have known about the dangerous condition because a “reasonable” person taking care of the property would have discovered and fixed it.
The third situation is the most common. For example, imagine you slip and fall on a puddle of water in a grocery store. The owner may not have known about that exact puddle. But if the puddle was there for a while, they should have known about it and cleaned it up before someone got hurt.
Types of Visitors
Your status as a visitor can also impact your premises liability case. Visitors are grouped into four categories:
- Invitees: Invitees are people the property owner invites onto their property, like customers in a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must regularly inspect for dangers and quickly fix any hazards they find.
- Licensees: Licensees enter the property for their purposes, with the owner’s consent. This includes social guests. The property owner must warn licensees of non-obvious dangerous conditions that the owner knows about.
- Adult trespassers: Trespassers enter the property without any right to do so. Property owners generally do not owe trespassers any duty of care, except they cannot purposefully harm them.
- Children: A special rule applies to children who trespass. If the property has a hazard that could attract children, like a swimming pool, the owner must take reasonable steps to keep children out, even if they were not invited.
Compensation for a Premises Liability Claim
If you were injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages.
Compensation in a premises liability case may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other expenses
Collecting evidence quickly after the accident is crucial for getting the most compensation possible.
Our Lexington premises liability attorneys know how to build strong cases and fight for maximum damages.
You Need an Experienced Lexington Premises Liability Lawyer
Premises liability cases can be tricky. You need to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and that they failed to fix it or warn you about it. The property owner and insurance company will look for any reason to deny your claim or pay you less.
That is why you need a skilled South Carolina premises liability lawyer in your corner. At Smith & Jones Law, we have decades of experience successfully handling premises liability claims. We know how to investigate your accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case.
We know how to take on insurance companies and their lawyers and we are aggressive negotiators and fierce trial attorneys.
Insurance companies know we mean business. While most cases settle out of court, we prepare for trial from day one. We are always ready to fight for you in court if needed.
Do not try to handle a premises liability claim on your own. The property owner and their insurance company are not on your side, no matter how friendly they may seem. They may try to get you to settle quickly for a lowball offer, give a recorded statement, or sign away your rights. Do not agree to anything or sign anything without speaking to an attorney first.
We Treat Every Client Like a Family
At Smith & Jones Law, we treat every client like they are a part of our family. We know that no two cases are exactly alike.
That is why our South Carolina premises liability lawyers take the time to listen to your story and learn how the accident has impacted your life. Then, we tailor our approach to meet your individual needs and goals.
We are here for you every step of the way. We will answer your questions, give you honest advice, and keep you informed.
You will work directly with your attorney, not get passed off to a case manager. And you will always be able to reach us when you need us.
We understand the stress and uncertainty an accident can cause. Our compassionate South Carolina premises liability attorneys and staff will handle all the legal details so you can focus on healing.
Call Our Lexington Premises Liability Lawyer
Call our office today for a consultation with an experienced Lexington premises liability lawyer. We will review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. If we take your case, we will start investigating immediately and fighting to get you maximum compensation.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by reaching out. We look forward to speaking with you and showing you how we can help.