Have you been injured while on someone else’s property? Under premises liability law, property owners have a duty to maintain their properties and keep them safe for visitors. When they fail in this responsibility, accidents are more likely to occur.
If you sustained injuries as a result of a property owner’s negligence, you don’t have to face the justice system all by yourself. Instead, reach out to the professionals. A premises liability lawyer in Liberty, Missouri, is the one to call when you need legal advice and advocacy.
At the law firm of Foster Wallace, our attorneys have 45 years of combined experience and counting. In that time, we’ve recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for personal injury victims just like you. We’re here to represent you as your Liberty personal injury lawyer.
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Many premises liability cases arise from situations where property owners failed to maintain safe conditions. Let’s take a look at some common incidents that often result in premises liability cases.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are a common type of premises liability claims. They occur when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else’s property as a result of encountering a hazardous condition:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Poorly lit walkways
- Spilled liquids or food
- Uneven flooring or carpet
- Ice and snow during winter months
In Missouri, property owners are required to either fix these hazards or warn visitors about them. Failing to do so can result in a valid premises liability claim.
Trip and Fall Accidents
Trip and fall accidents are similar to slip and fall accidents. However, they are typically caused by objects or obstructions in walkways:
- Cluttered aisles
- Potholes or cracks in the sidewalk
- Loose rugs or carpets
- Debris left on floors
Again, property owners have an obligation to maintain their property and ensure that pathways are free of hazards. If an owner’s negligence results in a trip and fall accident, they may be held accountable for the injuries sustained by the victim.
Inadequate Security
Property owners must take reasonable steps to secure their property and protect visitors from criminal activity.
When property owners fail to provide adequate security, such as proper lighting, security guards, or surveillance, and someone is injured as a result, a premises liability claim may be brought against the owner.
These are examples of inadequate security:
- Failure to install security cameras in high-crime areas
- Poor lighting in parking lots or garages
- Lack of surveillance or security personnel
In these cases, property owners can be held responsible for injuries resulting from criminal activities like assaults and robberies, among other violent crimes.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Missouri law allows victims of dog bites to file a premises liability claim if they were bitten while on someone else’s property. Property owners may be held responsible if their dog attacks an individual, regardless of whether the dog had a prior history of aggression.
However, Missouri law does provide some exceptions, such as when a dog bite occurs on a trespasser or when the victim provokes the dog prior to the attack.
Falling Objects
Property owners are responsible for making sure objects on their premises do not fall and injure visitors. In doing so, property owners must regularly check for potential hazards to prevent injuries.
Proving Negligence in Premises Liability Cases
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you—as the injured party—must prove that the property owner was negligent when it comes to maintaining their premises.
This typically involves demonstrating that the following was true at the time of the incident:
- The property owner owed a duty of care to the injured party.
- The property owner breached said duty of care.
- This was due to the failure to maintain a safe environment.
- The dangerous condition directly caused the injuries in question.
- The injured party suffered damages as a result of the situation.
Premises liability lawyers in Liberty can take on the responsibility of proving fault and holding the liable parties accountable on your behalf.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims
In Missouri, injured parties have a limited time to file a premises liability claim. Known as the statute of limitations, the deadline for personal injury claims—including premises liability cases—is five years from the date you sustained your injuries.
This means that if you are injured in a premises liability incident, you have to file a lawsuit within 60 months of the event. Otherwise, you could lose your legal right to compensation altogether.
In some cases, exceptions may apply that could shorten the time frame for filing a claim. Call a premises liability attorney in Liberty to understand the specific timeframe that applies in your case.
Contact Our Liberty Premises Liability Law Firm to Learn More About How We Can Help You
If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone’s property, you don’t have to face the situation alone. Premises liability cases can be tricky, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
At the law firm of Foster Wallace, our premises liability attorneys in Liberty are here to protect your rights and pursue compensation on your behalf. Let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable for the injuries and damages they caused you.
It may be Your Injury, but it’s Our Fight. Reach out to us as soon as possible for advice and guidance regarding your care.
