Premises Liability Attorney
Injured on someone else’s property or at a business? You may have a premises liability case.
Premises liability is a legal principle (commonly used in “slip and fall lawsuits”) that protects people who were injured at a business or on another person’s property. It’s a complex area of law and our experienced premises liability attorneys are prepared to help you in many ways, from communicating with aggressive insurance claims adjusters to negotiating the best settlement to standing up for you in court.
OlsenDaines will always fight so you get justice and fair compensation. Call us to set up a free legal consultation – our premises liability attorneys in Oregon and Washington are here to answer your questions.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Help You
We can help you in so many ways – from putting together the winning case to easing your emotional burden. The sooner you reach out, the sooner our team can get to work for you.
- Building the Strongest Case: We’ll do a full investigation, including promptly gathering evidence, from security footage to witness statements, reviewing photographs from the scene, maintenance records, and much more. We’ll leave no stone unturned in fighting for you.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance companies is a burden you shouldn’t have to take alone. We’ll handle all communications and negotiations with them so you can focus on getting your life back in order.
- Accurate Claim Valuation: It’s easy to underestimate the compensation you’re entitled to. We’ll consider every factor – from future medical care to the impact on your daily life.
- Experienced Trial Representation: When a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, we’re fully prepared to go to court so your case can be presented clearly and persuasively to a judge or jury.
- No Upfront Fees: We operate on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us anything until we resolve your case successfully.
- Peace of Mind: Being injured on someone else’s property and the aftermath is a stressful situation for anybody. With our attorneys on your side, it’s one less thing to worry about because you know your legal rights are protected.
What Is Premises Liability Law?
Premises liability is a legal principle that says that property owners have a duty to maintain their land to a certain standard of safety. It’s often applied in so-called “slip and fall cases.” They must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe from foreseeable dangers.
Imagine an example of a delivery driver trying to leave a package at someone’s door. The property owner has a French drain system that’s been malfunctioning for months and they’ve been aware of the problem, but they’re dragging their feet on getting repairs. One morning, after an overnight freeze, the delivery driver wipes out and slips a disc.
Would that example qualify as a premises liability case? There’s a good chance, especially if the owner knew they needed repairs and chose to forgo them. It’s a classic case of negligence: having the duty to maintain a safe environment and failing to do so.
Schedule a Free Appointment!
Our appointments are free until you file and your concerns are addressed!What Types Of Damages Can You Claim In A Premises Liability Lawsuit?
Compensation in a claim may cover a range of financial and non-financial losses, including:
- Current medical bills, anything from physician visits and surgical treatment to psychiatric care.
- Anticipated future medical costs, including expenses for long-term care or future procedures.
- Physical and mental pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress or anguish, encompassing anxiety, worry, grief, and nervousness.
- Lost wages due to the inability to work following the injury.
- Loss of future earning capacity resulting from the severity of the injury.
Speak With An Experienced Oregon And Washington Premises Liability Attorney
Personal injury cases are never cut-and-dried. If you or someone you love has been injured on someone else’s property, we can help you navigate the complex decisions you’ll have to make.
We provide free consultations and we have offices throughout Oregon and in Washington. If you have questions, we have answers – call us today.
Premises Liability Lawsuit FAQs
Our personal injury attorneys answer questions about premises liability every day. There are a few common threads that come up frequently, which we’ve addressed below. With that in mind, do not consider these FAQs legal advice about your case.
Premises liability is a complex and nuanced topic. As with all legal affairs, it always comes down to the details. If you think you have a potential premises liability lawsuit, reach out to us and schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.
Who is protected by premises liability?
A large aspect of premises liability law is why the person was on the property when the injury occurred. It breaks down into a few different categories:
- Business invitee: Someone who enters a property for the financial benefit of the owner (like a customer in a store). Property owners owe the highest duty of care to these people and must actively inspect and repair hazards. Delivery drivers may also be considered business invitees.
- Licensee/social guest: Someone on the property with permission for non-business purposes. This can be as simple as having a friend over for dinner. The owner must warn you of known dangers.
Can a trespasser sue under premises liability law?
Generally, property owners owe no duty of care to trespassers, but there can be exceptions.
For example, if the property owner is aware of a routine pattern of trespassing and fails to warn them of a dangerous, hidden hazard, they could be held liable.
Another example would be if there is an “attractive nuisance,” such as an unfenced pool, and the trespasser is a child.
If you have an accident in a shop, can you sue the owner under premises liability?
Yes, this type of case is a textbook example of premises liability. A store owner owes a duty of safety to all of their customers. In cases like this, it comes down to the details of the case, such as the degree of negligence, and if the customer was partially responsible for the injury.
What’s the difference between a premises liability lawsuit and a “slip and fall” lawsuit?
A slip and fall lawsuit is a commonly used term for a type of lawsuit that results from someone slipping and falling – imagine a grocery store with a wet floor leading to a woman slipping and falling, breaking her hipbone.
In this example, premises liability is the principle that would be used to determine whether the woman who broke her hip deserves compensation. Does the grocery store have a duty to prevent foreseeable dangers? Was the grocery store negligent in leaving the floor wet, leading to the slip and fall?
These are the main questions that will be asked to determine liability and potential compensation for the injury.
