Every time you step onto someone else’s property, you assume that the property owner has kept the premises safe for you and other visitors. A landowner who fails to fulfill this basic duty may bear financial responsibility for any harm you suffer due to a hazard on their property. However, premises liability law is much more straightforward on paper than in practice.
If you want to get paid fairly for an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, you should speak with a skilled personal injury attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. A well-known Philadelphia premises liability like Jon Ostroff will give you the guidance and support you need to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Our firm has recovered compensation for over 30,000 injury victims across Pennsylvania. For example, in one recent case, Managing Partner Rich Godshall obtained $485,000 for a client who suffered a broken leg after falling on a sidewalk. Let us fight for your best interests and support you throughout your claim.
When are Philadelphia Landowners Liable for Accidents?
The exact “duty” a landowner in Pennsylvania owes depends on the other person’s reason for visiting the premises. For example, landowners have no duty to protect trespassers from accidental harm, although there are some exceptions to this rule in certain situations. For example, a landowner might be liable for an accident if the trespasser is a young child drawn by an “attractive nuisance” on the property.
Lawful visitors have a legal right to expect that the landowner will fix known hazards or warn about any dangerous conditions on the property. A landowner who does not warn visitors about known hazards or does not address them reasonably quickly may be considered legally negligent for any ensuing accidents.
People who own and operate places like retail stores may have an even greater duty to regularly inspect their property for hazards. In some cases, you may be able to file suit over an injury caused by something the landowner reasonably should’ve known about. Your experienced local attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can further explain how premises liability law works during a free consultation.
Recoverable Losses in Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability law allows injured people to demand money for their accident-related losses, including:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Medical expenses
- Lost work income
- Lost ability to work
- Personal property damage
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Emotional distress
Your Philadelphia lawyer can include both past and future losses in a comprehensive property liability claim. For example, you can seek repayment for the cost of emergency hospital treatment immediately after an accident, as well as long-term expenses for future outpatient care and physical therapy.
Talk to a Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney About Your Case
Getting hurt on someone else’s land doesn’t mean the property owner will automatically be liable for your losses. You’ll need to prove that a landowner’s negligent act—or failure to act—was the direct and primary cause of the injury you suffered.
Fortunately, a winning attorney at our firm is here to fight for your best interests and guide you through the legal process of getting the compensation you deserve. Call a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your case.
