If you were hurt on someone else’s property due to negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Premises liability occurs when a property owner’s negligence leads to unexpected injuries. A claim could seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
An experienced Austin premises liability lawyer can investigate the details of your accident, including any injuries suffered and the financial costs. An attorney can guide you through a personal injury claim toward the fair compensation you deserve after a serious accident.
Under Texas law, individuals entering the property of others with permission have certain levels of legal protection. Property owners who allow people on their premises must keep all areas safe and prevent avoidable risks to those with legal permission to be there. An owner who fails to follow their duty of care can be held responsible for injuries suffered by invitees on their property.
Premises liability laws allow an injured person to seek financial compensation after an accident on someone else’s property, with the claimant needing to prove negligence before receiving damages for their medical bills and other losses. In a premises liability case, negligence occurs when a property owner who owes a legal duty to those with permission to be on a specific property fails to follow their duty. Property owners are expected to maintain their premises in a safe condition and avoid reasonably foreseeable hazards to guests by promptly fixing damaged stairways or cleaning up spills on a walkway within a reasonable time, for example.
When a property owner’s action or failure to act jeopardizes the safety of others, they can be held liable in a premises liability claim. In Austin, an experienced premises liability attorney can investigate the facts leading up to an accident, determine whether negligence applies, and assist with a claim—typically handled through the property owner’s insurance company—or a lawsuit, which is dealt with in court. A lawyer can assist the claimant in pursuing the path that makes the most sense under the circumstances.
Premises liability encompasses a wide range of situations involving injuries on various types of property caused by different acts of negligence. Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability accident, with millions of Americans hurt due to unintentional falls. Accidental falls are the second leading cause of unexpected death worldwide.
Other common types of premises liability accidents include:
Regardless of the type of accident, if an Austin property owner’s negligence contributed to the victim’s injuries, premises liability laws apply, and a lawyer can help.
After a premises liability accident, you should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries sustained. As some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not be apparent right away, obtaining quick medical care can protect your health as well as provide a record of injuries and treatment for use in a premises liability claim.
Another critical step after being hurt on someone’s property in Austin is to contact a knowledgeable premises liability attorney who can act quickly to gather evidence supporting the claim and evaluate it for potential compensation. Premises liability cases are unique because the accident scene can change rapidly, and claimants have a limited time to document the area before a property owner makes repairs.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 limits premises liability lawsuits to two years, unless an exception applies. An attorney can carefully gather evidence, prepare your case, and ensure all critical deadlines are met.
Whatever the reason, if you were injured on property belonging to someone else, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If it was caused by the owner’s negligence, they may be legally responsible for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. To learn more, call an Austin premises liability lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
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