When you enter another person’s space as an invited guest or as a customer at a business, the property owner is required by law to keep you safe and warn you of dangerous conditions. If you were visiting a person’s property and were injured by something in the space, the owner might need to assume legal responsibility for your losses. Generally speaking, you can pursue financial compensation directly from a property owner when their negligence causes an accident. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you could develop a strong legal argument by demonstrating that the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment.

Figuring out how to do this on your own can be challenging. However, a Stevens Point premises liability lawyer could act on your behalf, helping you assemble the strongest possible civil claim.

When are Premises Liability Claims an Option?

If someone who had permission to enter a property sustained an injury on the space due to the property owner’s negligence, a premises liability claim is likely an option. A crucial part of the claims process involves demonstrating exactly how the property owner’s actions or carelessness created the dangerous condition. Many different situations could entitle a plaintiff to a premises liability claim, including but not limited to:

Slips and falls
Negligent security
Poor lighting
Uneven floors
Blocked exit paths
Defective or broken staircases
Wet or oily floors
Unexpected fires
Drowning due to negligence

All of these examples are important because any one of them could result in an accident and serious injuries. Investigating the scene to conclude exactly what caused the harm can be challenging for a recovering plaintiff, but a seasoned attorney in Stevens Point could take the lead.

Property Owners and Visitor Status

It is important to realize that not all visitors are entitled to protection from a property owner. Instead, a property holders’ duty of care is dependent on the legal status of the visitor. This legal status is determined by specific factors, especially the reason for entry. Certain visitors are owed a higher duty of care than others.

Invitees

Invitees are people who were permitted to spend time on a property. This permission is usually expressed by the property owner, but sometimes it is implied, like when a customer enters a store or business for the benefit of the proprietor. Property holders owe invitees a significant duty of care.

Licensees

A licensee is also someone who is also permitted to be on the property, but these individuals enter a space for their own personal reasons. For instance, a licensee could be a social guest or a salesperson going door to door. A property holder does not owe a licensee the same duty of care, but they do need to warn the visitor of dangerous conditions.

Trespassers

Finally, trespassers are people who are not allowed on a property. The owner of a space usually does not owe trespassers anything except protection from willful harm. This means that a trespasser will likely not be able to file any kind of civil claim if they suffer an injury on a property.

A knowledgeable lawyer in Stevens Point could help a plaintiff determine their legal status at the time of the accident to streamline the process of filing a premises liability claim.

What Does a Claimant Have to Prove in their Premises Liability Case?

In order for a premises liability claim to be successful, an injured person needs to succeed in a few important legal arguments. For instance, they usually must demonstrate one of the following elements:

The owner caused a dangerous condition
The property holder knew about the condition but did not fix it
The owner of the premises should have known about the dangerous condition, or that a reasonable person would have repaired it

After a plaintiff successfully argues these aspects with the help of a legal representative, they can usually move forward to collect financial compensation for their injuries. In premises liability cases, monetary damages typically include repayments for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional anguish, and physical pain. A hardworking attorney in Stevens Point could help with all stages of submitting a premises liability claim to make sure their client collects adequate compensation.

Let a Stevens Point Premises Liability Attorney Help You

If you were hurt after visiting someone else’s property, you deserve someone to protect your rights and hold the negligent defendant accountable. You might feel confused about your options and be in a lot of pain, but our legal team is here to help. An experienced attorney could fight against claims that you were trespassing and help you collect the full extent of damages you deserve. Call a Stevens Point premises liability lawyer today to get started on your case.

Stevens Point Premises Liability Lawyer