Houston Premises Liability Attorney

Common Places Where Premises Liability Accidents Occur

Houston is a sprawling metropolis buzzing with activity daily. While there is always a supply of things to do or places to explore, there is also no shortage of property owners and landlords engaging in careless or negligent behavior that could endanger the safety of patrons.

Some of the most common places where premises liability accidents can occur due to the careless actions of another include the following:

• Shops and businesses
• Grocery stores
• Restaurants
• Malls
• Theme parks
• Sports arenas
• Apartments
• Hotels
• Private homes
• Swimming pools
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Parking lots
• Office buildings
• Dog parks
• Clubs

Property owners must maintain their property in a way that makes it safe for guests and patrons and provide notice of any hazards that exist on the property. Failing to act in the public’s best interest in a way that leads to an accident may open the property owner to liability for an individual’s injuries.

What Compensation May Be Available?

If you can prove that your injuries resulted from property owner negligence, you might be eligible to claim compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. The value of your claim will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life.

You may be able to recover money for the following:

• Medical Bills – This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment.
• Lost Wages – If your injuries keep you from working, you can seek compensation for whatever income you’ve missed.
• Reduced Earning Capacity – Serious injuries may limit your ability to earn as much as you could before.
• Pain and Suffering – Physical pain and emotional distress deserve compensation, even though they’re harder to measure than medical bills.
• Loss of Enjoyment – When injuries prevent you from doing things you once loved, you may recover compensation for that loss.

Our premises liability attorneys will carefully calculate your losses to ensure we pursue every dollar you deserve.

Who Is Responsible for an Injury in a Premises Liability Case?

Premises liability claims can be challenging. It takes strong evidence to build a compelling premises liability case that establishes liability for an accident on someone else’s property. Generally, there are three elements you must establish to recover compensation for your financial losses.

1. A Dangerous Condition Existed
   First, you must prove that a dangerous condition existed on someone else’s property. Property owners have a duty of care to those who enter their property, meaning they are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for guests. Photographs or videos of the scene and witness statements can prove that the hazardous condition was present during the accident. You may also need to show that you were a visitor, licensee, or invitee with express or implied permission to be on the property. Trespassers may not have the same legal protections as other classes of visitors.
2. The Property Owner Was Aware of Dangerous Conditions
   Next, the burden is on you to prove that the property owner knew about the dangerous conditions on their property and failed to take adequate measures to address the problem. Proving this element can be one of the most challenging things to demonstrate in a premises liability claim. However, our liability attorneys can conduct a complete investigation into the cause of the accident. This will help unravel how the accident occurred while our liability attorneys locate evidence supporting your case.
3. You Were Injured Because of the Property Owner’s Negligence
   Finally, you must prove that you were injured because of the property owner’s carelessness, and that those premises liability injuries caused your financial losses. Medical bills, repair receipts, pay stubs, and other documents can help demonstrate the value of your financial losses due to an injury.

Bear in mind that there may be more than one party liable for the circumstances of the premises liability accident. A skilled attorney can determine who may be partially or wholly liable for compensating you following an accident. Liability could fall onto one or more of the following:

• Property Owners – Homeowners, business owners, and commercial landlords all have a duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors.
• Property Management Companies – When a management company handles day-to-day maintenance, the company may share responsibility for hazards it failed to address.
• Tenants – In some cases, a renter who creates or ignores a dangerous condition may bear liability for resulting injuries.
• Business Operators – A company leasing retail or office space may be responsible for the condition of areas under its control.
• Contractors – If a maintenance worker or construction crew created a hazard through careless work, they could face liability.

Many premises liability claims involve homeowners’ insurance or commercial liability policies. Our attorneys will identify every available source of compensation and pursue claims against all responsible parties.

What Should I Do After a Premises Liability Accident?

The steps you take immediately after getting hurt on someone else’s property will set the stage for your ability to recover compensation. We recommend that you do the following:

• Report the Incident – Notify the property owner, the manager, or an employee about what happened. Request that they make a written incident report and request a copy for your records.
• Document the Scene – If possible, take photos or videos of the condition that caused your injury, along with the surrounding area. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Seek Medical Attention – Even if your injuries don’t seem serious, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries might not show symptoms immediately. Medical records also create important documentation linking your injuries to the incident.
• Preserve Evidence – Keep the footwear and clothes you were wearing at the time. Don’t repair or wash anything that might serve as evidence.
• Refrain from Giving Recorded Statements – Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Anything you say could be used to reduce or deny your claim.
• Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer Promptly – Texas has strict deadlines for filing injury claims. Speaking with an attorney early gives your legal team time to investigate while the evidence is still fresh.