Premises liability claims involve incidents where a visitor or tenant is injured on someone else’s property. These cases frequently turn on what the owner knew about a dangerous condition on their property and whether they took any steps to remedy it. Moreover, the owner’s legal duties depend on the visitor’s reason for being on the premises.
These types of claims can involve complicated issues of notice, so consulting a Chicago premises liability lawyer may be essential to meeting the legal requirements for a successful outcome. When you get hurt because a private or public property owner failed to keep you safe, call a dedicated personal injury attorney at Nozicka Law.
Premises liability claims arise when a property owner is negligent in maintaining their property or addressing a specific dangerous condition. If an injured person can demonstrate they were hurt due to a property owner’s negligence, they can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering from that owner. Common types of accidents that may serve as grounds for premises liability claims include:
Just because someone was injured on another person’s property does not mean the property’s owner is negligent. The owner may not have known about the dangerous condition or may have taken reasonable precautions to warn their visitors. On the other hand, a property owner’s affirmative actions or omissions under these circumstances can give rise to a premises liability claim. When you get hurt on someone else’s land or property, work with a trusted premises liability lawyer in Chicago to determine whether the owner’s negligence played a role.
As discussed, to recover fair compensation in a premises liability claim, an injured person must prove the property owner’s negligence. Liability in these claims depends on the injured person’s purpose for visiting the property.
This status is given to someone invited onto a property for a business purpose and typically includes customers or patrons in a commercial setting. A repairman or contractor could also be an invitee on someone’s personal property.
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees; they must proactively keep their property safe from dangerous conditions and provide clear signage or warnings about any known hazards.
Licensees include any social guests invited to a private or public property. Owners are obligated to warn licensees of any known hazards on the land but do not have an affirmative obligation to inspect the premises for hazards.
Landowners owe no legal duty to trespassers or someone who enters their property without permission. However, a legal distinction and exception exists for child trespassers. Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners must take reasonable measures to prevent accidents if there is a hazard or condition on their land that is likely to attract children. Pools, for example, are the most common type of attractive nuisance.
A Chicago premises liability attorney could further explain what duties an owner has based on an injured individual’s reason for being on their property.
When you are injured on someone else’s property, you may have to find a way to afford your medical bills while taking time off work to recover. If a property owner’s negligence contributed to your injury, you should not have to bear these costs alone.
A Chicago premises liability lawyer could assist with recovering compensation from a negligent property owner. Attorney Peter Nozicka could advocate for a fair outcome on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. Call Nozicka Law now to schedule your legal consultation.