Slip and fall accidents, unsafe stairways, or poorly maintained properties can turn an ordinary day into a painful ordeal. You might find yourself facing steep medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of what comes next.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, but when negligence occurs, you have the right to hold them accountable.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers have recovered over $1 billion for our clients and bring 45 years of combined experience to every case.
That’s why we’re here to fight for justice and ensure your family’s well-being is protected. Your Injury. Our Fight. Let our Kansas City premises liability lawyers fight for you to receive the maximum compensation in your case.
Why Call a Premises Liability Lawyer?
Accidents caused by dangerous property conditions can leave you with overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Handling the legal system on your own can be confusing and intimidating, especially when property owners and their insurance companies are quick to deny injury claims.
Hiring a Premises liability attorney in Kansas City can make a significant difference in your case, giving you a higher chance of recovering the compensation you need. Our personal injury attorneys approach each case with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to fighting for justice.
Here’s how we can help:
Determining if You Qualify for Compensation
Our team will carefully analyze the facts surrounding your accident to determine if you have a valid claim. We’ll examine whether:
- A Duty of Care Was Owed to You: Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. For example, grocery stores must clean up spills promptly, and parking garages must have adequate lighting to prevent accidents.
- The Property Owner Failed to Uphold That Duty: If a property owner knew—or should have known—about a hazard and failed to fix it or provide proper warnings, they may be negligent. Examples include ignoring broken staircases, failing to clear snow and ice, or neglecting to secure attractive hazards like swimming pools.
- Their Negligence Directly Caused Your Accident: We must connect the property owner’s failure to maintain safe conditions with the injuries you sustained. For example, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor in a retail store that wasn’t marked with warning signs, the store owner may be liable.
- Your Injuries Resulted in Financial Losses: To recover compensation, we’ll show how your injuries led to tangible losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Whether you’re dealing with severe injuries like broken bones or ongoing emotional trauma, we’ll ensure your damages are fully accounted for.
How a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
The legal process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Here’s what our team will do to secure the best outcome for your case:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: We’ll gather critical evidence such as photos of the hazard, witness statements, maintenance records, and surveillance footage to build a strong case.
- Handle All Communications: Dealing with insurance adjusters can be stressful and frustrating. We’ll negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball settlement.
- Prove Fault and Negligence: Our attorneys are skilled at demonstrating how a property owner’s negligence directly caused your injuries. We understand the complexities of premises liability law and will use our knowledge to hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Pursue Maximum Compensation: From medical expenses and lost wages to pain and suffering damages, we’ll fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to. Our goal is to ensure your financial needs are fully met so you can focus on healing.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
What Exactly Is a Premises Liability Claim?
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to ensure their property is safe for all lawful visitors. When property owners neglect their duty to maintain a secure environment, visitors can face serious injuries caused by preventable hazards.
Negligent property owners who fail to address dangerous conditions or warn visitors of potential risks may be held accountable for any resulting harm.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases
Here are some of the most frequent scenarios our Kansas City premises liability attorneys see:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Wet floors in grocery stores, icy sidewalks, loose rugs, or spills in parking garages can cause devastating injuries if not promptly addressed. These are among the most common premises liability claims. A premises liability lawyer in Kansas City can help determine who is liable for your slip and fall accident.
- Inadequate Security: Poor lighting, broken locks, or a lack of security measures in areas like parking garages or retail stores can lead to theft, assaults, or other crimes that harm visitors.
- Defective Conditions: Broken staircases, exposed wiring, or collapsing structures create unsafe environments, putting visitors at risk of severe injuries.
- Dog Bites: Unrestrained or aggressive animals can attack unsuspecting visitors or passersby, causing physical and emotional harm.
- Attractive Hazards: These are features, such as swimming pools or abandoned equipment, that may entice children. Property owners must take extra precautions to secure these areas to prevent accidents.
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen?
Premises liability accidents can occur anywhere property owners or managers fail to uphold their responsibility to maintain safe conditions.
From public spaces to private homes, when safety standards are neglected, the risk of injury increases significantly. Here’s a closer look at some common locations where these accidents happen:
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are a frequent site for slip and fall accidents caused by spilled liquids, leaking freezers, or poorly maintained aisles.
Wet floors without warning signs, loose floor mats, or cluttered walkways can lead to serious injuries for unsuspecting customers. Store managers and employees are required to regularly inspect and address hazards to prevent accidents.
Retail Stores
Shopping venues, such as malls and retail stores, present numerous risks to customers. Uneven flooring, damaged tiles, cluttered walkways, or merchandise falling from improperly stacked shelves can all result in injuries.
Retailers must ensure their premises are safe for visitors by addressing hazards promptly and implementing proper safety measures.
Private Homes
Even private residences can become the setting for premises liability accidents. Homeowners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for lawful visitors, such as guests or contractors. Common hazards include broken staircases, loose railings, icy driveways, or hidden dangers like exposed wires.
Additionally, dog bites caused by unrestrained or aggressive pets can also lead to premises liability claims.
Public Spaces
Parks, recreation areas, playgrounds, and other public spaces must be maintained to ensure safety for all visitors. Uneven sidewalks, unmarked hazards, or poorly maintained equipment can cause accidents, especially for children or elderly visitors.
Local governments or property managers are responsible for inspecting and addressing dangerous conditions in these areas.
Restaurants and Cafés
In dining establishments, hazards such as spilled drinks, greasy floors, or unstable furniture can cause injuries. Outdoor patios and walkways must also be properly maintained to ensure the safety of patrons.
Hotels and Resorts
Visitors rely on hotels and resorts to provide safe accommodations. Wet floors in lobbies, poorly maintained elevators, broken staircases, or unsecured swimming pools can lead to serious accidents. Property owners and operators have a heightened responsibility to protect guests from foreseeable harm.
Apartment Complexes
Landlords and property managers are responsible for maintaining common areas like hallways, staircases, and parking lots. Icy walkways, poor lighting, or broken entry gates can lead to injuries for tenants and visitors, making these locations a common source of premises liability claims.
Construction Sites
Construction sites pose unique risks to workers and visitors. Property owners and contractors must ensure the site is properly secured and that hazards like loose debris, open trenches, or unsecured equipment don’t harm bystanders or workers.
Amusement Parks or Entertainment Venues
Poorly maintained rides, slippery walkways, or inadequate crowd control can lead to accidents at amusement parks, concert venues, or sports stadiums. These locations must adhere to strict safety standards to prevent injuries.
What to Do if You’re Injured
If you’ve been injured in one of these locations due to unsafe conditions, you should hire a Premises Liability Lawyer in Kansas City to fight for your much-deserved compensation.
At Foster Wallace, our experienced team can help you understand your legal options, hold negligent property owners accountable, and pursue damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue in a Premises Liability Claim in Missouri?
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you may be entitled to compensation under Missouri law. Premises liability claims can help you recover financial and emotional losses caused by the accident.
By seeking legal representation from an experienced law firm, you can ensure your rights are protected and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Here’s what you need to know about damages in a personal injury case:
Medical Expenses
Your health should always come first. If you’ve sought medical attention for your injuries, you may recover both current and future medical costs, such as:
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Ongoing rehabilitation
Proper documentation of your medical care is essential to prove these damages.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for lost income. In cases of severe injuries that limit your ability to work in the future, you may also recover damages for diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Injuries often go beyond physical harm. Premises liability claims in Missouri allow you to pursue compensation for:
- Physical pain caused by the accident
- Chronic discomfort or long-term suffering
These damages are harder to quantify but are just as important to address.
Emotional Distress
Accidents can leave a lasting emotional impact. Compensation for emotional distress may include damages for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or a reduced quality of life.
Property Damage
If personal belongings (e.g., a phone, clothing, or other valuables) were damaged during the accident, you may recover the cost to repair or replace them.
Other Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Additional forms of compensation may include:
- Costs for in-home care or assistance
- Modifications to your home for accessibility
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Missouri has a statute of limitations for premises liability claims. This means you typically have five years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Failing to act within this timeframe can result in losing your right to recover damages.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Premises Liability Accidents?
Premises liability accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering trauma. When property owners neglect their duty to maintain safe environments, visitors are exposed to hazards that can have severe physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
Here are the most common injuries our Kansas City premises liability lawyers claim:
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent premises liability claims. These accidents can occur on wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained stairs.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones, such as fractures in the wrist, hip, or ankle from a hard fall
- Head injuries like concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) caused by hitting the ground or an object
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and torn ligaments, particularly in the knees, ankles, or shoulders
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Falls, collapsing structures, or unsafe conditions can cause serious damage to the spine, leading to herniated discs, paralysis in extreme cases, or chronic back pain caused by long-term damage to muscles, discs, or nerves. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment and may permanently affect mobility or quality of life.
Head and Brain Injuries
Unsafe premises can lead to falls, falling objects, or even physical assaults that result in concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can cause memory loss, cognitive difficulties, and long-term disability, or skull fractures that often necessitate emergency medical attention and prolonged recovery.
Burns and Electrical Injuries
Premises with defective wiring, exposed electrical components, or unsafe kitchen areas can lead to thermal burns caused by hot surfaces, boiling liquids, or open flames; electrical burns that are often severe and require specialized treatment; or chemical burns from exposure to hazardous cleaning products or improperly stored chemicals.
Injuries from Falling Objects
In retail or warehouse settings, improperly stacked merchandise or equipment can fall and injure visitors. Such injuries include fractures to the skull or shoulders, neck and back injuries, or facial trauma like broken noses, teeth, or jawbones.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Property owners who fail to restrain dangerous animals may be held liable for injuries such as puncture wounds from bites, infections like rabies or serious bacterial infections, scarring and disfigurement from severe bites, and emotional trauma as dog attacks can leave victims, especially children, with lasting fear and anxiety.
Injuries from Collapsing Structures
Poorly maintained buildings, decks, or staircases can collapse, leading to broken bones, head and neck injuries, or crush injuries resulting in internal organ damage or severe fractures.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
Premises liability accidents can also result in emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or a reduced quality of life. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on a victim’s mental health and overall well-being.
Drowning or Swimming Pool Injuries
Unsecured swimming pools or poorly maintained aquatic facilities can result in near-drowning incidents that lead to brain damage from lack of oxygen, slip and fall injuries on wet or slippery surfaces near the pool area, or head or neck trauma from diving into shallow or improperly marked water.
Contact Our Kansas City Premises Liability Law Firm for a Free Consultation
At Foster Wallace, we’ve helped countless clients in Kansas City fight for justice after premises liability accidents. With 45 years of combined experience and over $1 billion recovered, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, don’t wait to take action. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the compensation you need to move forward. Your Injury. Our Fight.
