The owner or occupant of a property has specific responsibilities when it comes to maintaining safe conditions or to warn of an unsafe condition. Premises liability is the area of law that deals with these responsibilities. What follows is answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about premises liability lawsuits.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability is the area of law that determines the responsibilities of a property owner for any injuries suffered by others while on the property. It includes the circumstances that arise while a person is in the home or at another’s place of business.
What obligations does a property owner have when it comes to the safety of their premises?
The person, company, or government entity that controls the property has a duty to maintain the property and keep the property in a safe condition for people who enter onto the property.
What is the most common claim for premises liability?
Slip and fall accidents are generally the most common type of premises liability claim. The term slip and fall refers to a situation in which you slip, trip, or fall and are seriously injured in such places as the mall, store, or other location.
Is there a time limit to file a claim for premises liability?
Yes. Each state has a specific deadline, called a statute of limitations, which dictate how much time you have after the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a premises liability lawsuit will be forever barred.
What kind of damages can I recover in a premises liability lawsuit?
Generally there are two types of damages; economic and non-economic. Economic damages may include medical expenses, loss of income and/or earning capacity, hospitalization and treatment, etc. Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment or disability, disfigurement, etc.
What is causation in a premises liability lawsuit?
Causation means that if you are injured you must be able to establish a direct connection between the negligent acts of the property owner and the injuries you suffered and the damages you claim to have.
How do I know if I have a valid premises liability lawsuit?
The only way to know for sure is to discuss the matter with an experienced premises liability attorney. They can evaluate your case to see if you have a good claim for damages. Also, make sure you continue to see your doctor. Medical records that were created immediately after the accident into the present, can be valuable evidence in your premises liability lawsuit.
To learn more about your legal rights in following a serious injury, it is important to speak with skilled
truck accident and motorcycle accident lawyers, an
auto accident lawyer, a
car accident lawyer, a
product liability attorney, a
medical malpractice lawyer, a
wrongful death attorney, or
Alabama personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your case.