From slippery floors with no warning signs to untrained aggressive dogs, you might encounter hazardous conditions when going out. Fortunately, property owners and businesses have a duty to keep their property safe and free of any hazards for employers, visitors, and customers. This reduces any risks and promotes public safety.

But sometimes, property owners don’t uphold their responsibilities, and due to negligence, customers and employees get hurt or ill. Depending on the circumstances and the type of hazard, victim injuries can vary from cuts and bruises to head injuries, cancer, or even death.

These injuries will entail a long recovery, physical therapy, or even surgery, leaving victims with sometimes permanent disabilities, PTSD, and anxiety. On top of that, there’s the stress of medical bills, taking time off from work, and reduced earning capacity.

Premises liability is part of the personal injury law; these types of attorneys help people injured or fallen ill because of dangerous or hazardous conditions resulting from the property owner’s negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured and believe you are entitled to some compensation, reach out to your attorneys, as there is a set time to make a claim.

Most common types of premises liability claims

The most common type of premises liability injuries are:

• Slip and falls
• Injuries from falling objects
• Escalator or elevator accidents
• Snow and ice hazards
• Inadequate maintenance
• Insufficient security
• Water leaks or flooding
• Fires
• Porch, patio, or stairs collapsing
• Dog bites or attacks
• Defective conditions such as unstable ceilings and walls
• Faulty amusement park rides
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic materials such as lead or mold.
• Failure to inform a visitor of unsafe conditions
• Inadequately guarded swimming pools
• Inadequate maintenance
• Injuries resulting from an act of violence or any criminal acts
• Defective stairs or railings
• Accidents caused by uneven terrain, unnoticeable stairs, or slippery surfaces

Multiple things must be proven to receive compensation if you have been injured on someone else’s property, business, or home.

• The owner was aware of the hazard and failed to ensure the proper safety conditions.
• The owner failed to inform any visitors of the potential risk.
• The owner didn’t prevent or do anything to avoid the danger.
• Your injury or illness is a direct result of this danger.

What premises liability attorneys do

A premises liability lawyer will guide you through this process, review all the facts and determine if you have a case. They can also assist you in:

• Conduct a thorough investigation and verify how the incident occurred.
• Collect any evidence, like videos and photographs of the scene of the accident.
• Interview any witnesses to the accident.
• Show the circumstances of the incident and how the property owner is liable.
• Prove that the owner is at fault.
• Build the case with all the details and evidence.
• Create a strategy to seek compensation on your behalf.
• Represent you in the negotiations with the different parties, including the insurance companies. 
• Represent you in a court of law, if necessary.
• Guide you and inform you through every step of the case.

Compensation for premises liability cases

You may be entitled to financial compensation if you prove someone was responsible for your injuries. In these cases, there are monetary damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-monetary damages could also be awarded; this covers loss of quality of life or pain and suffering; this can be difficult to prove, so it likely would be discussed and settled by the jury.

If the accident was fatal, your attorneys could assist family and next of kin by filing a wrongful death claim. In this case, the family could be entitled to the same compensation as mentioned above, plus funeral or burial expenses, loss of income that the person could earn in their lifetime, and loss of care or companionship.

In some specific situations, the victim or their family could pursue punitive damages; this refers to cases or circumstances that have been outstandingly bad or done with malice and are used to punish and make an example of the responsible party.

As you have seen, multiple factors must be taken into account in a premises liability claim, don’t feel pressured or rushed to settle with insurers before reviewing your case with the help of an experienced attorney.

Statute of limitations for premises liability cases in the state of Georgia

In the state of Georgia, there is a two-year deadline for personal injury cases and a four-year deadline for claims involving damage to personal property. This is known as the statute of limitations to create a claim; if you are outside this window, an exception could apply.

The sooner you start working with an attorney and collect all the evidence required, the easier it will be to build a case. Contact your trusted and experienced attorneys at Castan & Lecca; we will review the circumstances of your accident and advise you on what you could be entitled to.