Gadsden Premises Liability Lawyer

At Mezrano Law Firm, our premises liability lawyers are experienced in getting you or your loved one the compensation they deserve after an injury. We are ready to discuss your injuries, how they happened, and who is responsible. We’ll fight to seek the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and move on from your accident. Get in touch with us today.

Common types of premises liability accidents

The most common type of premises liability accident, and probably the one everyone is most familiar with, is slip and fall. A person typically experiences a slip and fall (or trip and fall) when premises are unsafe due to slippery surfaces from rain, ice, or spilled beverages. Someone could also trip over uneven surfaces, loose tiling or flooring, or torn carpets.

Premises liability accidents may also happen because of hazards like:

• Accidents caused by building code or housing violations
• Amusement park or fair accidents
• Assault or wrongful death from negligent security
• Deck, balcony, or ceiling collapse
• Defective stairways or escalators
• Dog bites or other animals attacks
• Exposure to toxic fumes
• House and building fires
• Injuries caused by failure to maintain premises
• Swimming pool accidents or drownings

Injuries from Gadsden premises liability claims

Premises liability injuries can range from mild injuries, like bumps and bruises, to severe physical trauma or even wrongful death. Even a minor slip and fall that may not feel serious in the moment can grow into a significant injury within days. You should always document an injury or accident immediately and seek medical attention immediately.

Common injuries victims experience from premises liability accidents include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Bruising
• Burns or scarring
• Chronic pain
• Head or neck injuries
• Lacerations and scrapes
• Sprains and soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Wrongful death

Negligence and premises liability injuries

Premises liability claims require that the injured party prove negligence. The fact that you suffered an accident and injury on someone else’s property isn’t enough to show that the owner was negligent. Your attorney also has to offer that the property conditions were unsafe – and that the owner was aware of these dangerous conditions and did nothing to either repair or warn visitors of the hazard.

Property and business owners must take the proper precautions to keep their premises safe. When they don’t, they increase the risk of accidents and, therefore, their liability. We discussed joint liability claims earlier – here are a few specific examples.

• If you stay in a hotel and are assaulted due to broken locks or burned-out lighting, the hotel could be held negligent. The same goes if you are exposed to toxic fumes in your room.
• If a store employee mops the floor but fails to warn customers it’s slippery, the store can be liable for your injuries if you slip and fall.
• Construction sites near pedestrian areas should be marked. The construction company could be liable if workers fail to keep hazardous areas and you’re hurt in an accident.
• Elderly loved ones could suffer injury in nursing homes when premises are unsafe, like trip and fall or scalding/burn hazards. Facility owners can be liable.

What Does "Duty of Care" Mean?

Duty of care refers to taking reasonable steps to protect another person from harm or injury. It requires providing a safe environment, making decisions that promote safety, and taking corrective measures if something goes wrong. Here in Alabama, the state recognizes three levels of duty of care for property visitors.

1. Invitee. Invitees are those who enter the property for business purposes. So, if you go to the grocery store, out for dinner, or clothes shopping, you’re an invitee when you step into the store. Property owners owe their invitees a high duty of care, and if their premises are unsafe, it’s their responsibility to warn invitees of any dangers.
2. Licensee. A licensee is a bit different. Licensees enter a property as a guest with the permission or implied permission of the owner but without any business purpose. You might be at someone’s house for a party or visiting someone socially at their office for lunch. In either scenario, the property owner must repair or warn visitors of unsafe conditions.
3. Trespassers. Even though trespassers enter premises without a property owner’s permission or knowledge, owners must still warn of known dangers. Property owners also can’t set “traps” for trespassers and owe a higher duty of care to trespassing children.

After experiencing an accident on someone else’s property, it’s important not to make any statement about blame or fault – even if the property owner is someone you know or even a friend. Minimizing fault or shrugging off your injuries can make a big difference in whether or not you’re eligible for compensation. Talk to an attorney to protect your rights.

Gadsden premises liability lawyers on your side

Premises liability law can be complicated, and our legal team is highly experienced with these cases. Our attorneys work with you, leaving no detail uncovered, to prove liability and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Talk to us today about how we can help you.