Whether it’s a shopping trip to a retail store, a visit to a friend’s home, or a stop at an apartment complex with both commercial and private tenants, you have a right to expect a warning about any hazardous conditions at the property you’re on. Unfortunately, not every property owner is as careful about fulfilling this duty of care toward their visitors as they should be, and that sometimes leads to accidents that cause serious injuries.
Taking legal action over an accident on someone else’s property can be complicated on numerous levels, especially if you try to file suit without the support of an experienced personal injury attorney. If you get a winning Mt. Laurel premises liability lawyer on your side, you’ll be able to efficiently build a strong civil claim and effectively demand the money you need for the damages you should have never sustained.
What Duties Do Landowners Owe to Visitors?
Under New Jersey premises liability law, landowners owe different duties to property visitors depending on their reason for being on the land. If someone is trespassing without permission from the landowner and without lawful authority to enter the land on their own, the landowner has no duty to protect that person from accidental injuries. An owner can’t do anything to intentionally harm them—for example, setting traps.
If someone is visiting private property lawfully, the landowner is required to warn that visitor about every hazardous condition they have direct knowledge of. Finally, if a lawful visitor is someone like a retail customer whose visit directly benefits the landowner financially, the landowner also has a duty to regularly inspect their property so they discover new hazards reasonably quickly after they appear. A Mt. Laurel premises liability attorney can explain the categorization of visitors in more detail.
Getting Paid Fairly for Losses
Regardless of the exact circumstances of the accident, a landowner found liable for a visitor’s injuries can be made to pay for every form of harm the visitor can trace directly back to their injuries. Importantly, this can include both past and future losses. A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand may need to account for things like:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emergency medical bills and expected long-term care costs
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Lost working ability and work wages
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Disability-related costs—for example, paying for a wheelchair
Guidance from a knowledgeable property liability lawyer in Mt. Laurel can be key to identifying all the losses a particular accident will likely cause and demanding a fair amount of money for them within the filing time limits set by New Jersey law.
Talk to a Mt. Laurel Premises Liability Attorney Today
Suing a private property owner over an accident is never simple, but it can be difficult to get paid what you deserve without a capable legal professional’s help. Fortunately, you have access to years of legal knowledge and experience from the respected attorneys on our team.
A conversation with a Mt. Laurel premises liability lawyer will give you answers to pressing questions and confidence about how best to enforce your rights. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to get started on your potential claim.