Accidents can happen anywhere, including on privately owned and managed property. In these situations, recovering for losses caused by accident-related injuries can be a uniquely complex endeavor. Property owners are not liable automatically for every injury that happens on their land and proving a link between a landowner’s negligence and an individual’s losses can be tricky.
Assistance from a skilled Norristown premises liability lawyer can be vital to protecting your rights and interests after an accident like this. By retaining a personal injury attorney who has a long track record of positive results in similar cases, you can more effectively pursue maximum compensation through a settlement proposal or lawsuit against a negligent landowner or manager.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, our winning team has over 100 years of combined experience handling injury cases like these across the state. In one recent case, Managing Partner Rich Godshall was able to recover $485,000 for a client who broke her leg when she fell on a sidewalk in Norristown. If you are facing a similar situation, do not hesitate to give us a call. Initial consultations are always free, and we will work with you to help you understand your legal options for financial recovery.
When are Landowners Liable for Injuries?
The degree of fault a property owner or manager holds for an injury that occurs on their property depends primarily on what category of “visitor” the injured party falls into. A Norristown premises liability attorney can clarify what category you might fall into and what that means for your chances of civil recovery.
Landowners owe a certain duty of care to all property visitors.
Invitees
Invitees are people visiting with the property owner’s consent and primarily for the property owner’s benefit. Invitees are owed the most substantial duty of care under the law. Store customers and people making deliveries are classified as invitees. Property owners may be liable for injuries to invitees caused by hazards they knew about but did not warn visitors of, as well as hazards they should have known about through regular inspection of their property.
Licensees
Property owners have less of an obligation to licensees, who are individuals visiting lawfully for their own purposes, like party guests. Landowners must use reasonable care to identify and treat dangerous conditions that could harm these visitors.
Trespassers
Landowners have less of a duty to trespassers, but these individuals still have certain protections under the law. If a property has a dangerous condition, they could be held liable for injuries to a trespasser if the condition is something they should have reasonably known about and fixed or protected against. Landowners also are not permitted to cause purposeful harm to trespassers, despite the fact that they are visiting the property without permission or for a reason that does not benefit the owner.
Types of Available Compensation in a Dangerous Property Case
If you can prove that a property owner’s negligence caused your injuries, they could be on the hook for all of your past, present, and future losses that resulted from the accident. Specific recoverable damages may include:
- Emergency medical expenses and costs of future care
- Physical pain and suffering
- Personal property damage
- Psychological/emotional trauma
- Lost wages and/or earning capacity
- Long-term effects of permanent disfigurement/disability
A premises liability lawyer in Norristown can help you calculate the monetary value of your losses and pursue a compensation amount accordingly.
Discuss Your Options with a Norristown Premises Liability Attorney
Holding a property owner accountable for injuries sustained on their land can be challenging on both procedural and practical levels. Even if you have a strong cause for legal action, getting a comprehensive recovery may be virtually impossible without support from an experienced legal professional.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a dog attack, slip and fall, theme park accident, or other premises liability incident, you deserve fair compensation. A Norristown premises liability lawyer can review your case during a free initial meeting and help you understand your legal options. Give us a call today to learn more.
