St. Louis, Missouri Premises Liability Laywers
Accidents on someone else’s property can have devastating consequences, leaving victims with serious injuries and a complex legal situation. At Cofman Townsley, our St. Louis premises liability lawyers are committed to helping victims who have been injured on residential, commercial, or public properties. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured because a property owner neglected to keep their premises safe. We are here to help you understand your legal rights.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability involves the legal responsibility property owners have to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
In Missouri, property owners must post warnings of any hazardous conditions and fix problems they know or should have known about, whether it’s someone’s home, business, or public property. Missouri law holds property owners accountable for injuries sustained on their premises if they fail to uphold this duty of care.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases
Here at Cofman Townsley, we see premises liability cases of all kinds every day. Some of the most common types include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: These occur when unsafe surfaces or obstacles cause someone to fall and sustain an injury.
- Inadequate Security: Property owners must ensure sufficient security measures are in place to protect visitors from crime or assault.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: If a dog or other animal attacks a person on the property, the owner could be held legally responsible for their injuries.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Owners of pools must maintain them and secure the area to prevent drowning or injury.
- Dangerous Property Conditions: Broken stairways, damaged floors or parking lots, or unsafe structures can cause injuries if not repaired.
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents: These devices must be serviced and maintained to prevent serious accidents.
- Fire and Electrical Hazards: Property owners must have fire safety systems in place and make sure electrical hazards are remedied.
Steps to Take After a Premises Liability Accident
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, follow these steps to protect your rights:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is most important. Seek medical attention immediately and follow up with any recommended treatments.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the dangerous conditions and surrounding area.
- Gather Witness Information: If anyone saw the accident, collect their contact information for future testimony.
- Report the Incident: Notify the property owner or manager of the accident to make sure the accident is thoroughly documented
- Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer: Reach out to an experienced St. Louis premises liability law firm to evaluate your case and guide you through the process.
Proving Negligence in Premises Liability Cases
You must prove the property owner was negligent to win a premises liability claim. Having an experienced premises liability law firm on your side is critical to demonstrating the following key elements to providing evidence of owner negligence.
- Duty of Care: The property owner owed you a legal duty to maintain safe conditions or warn of hazards.
- Breach of Duty: The owner failed to fulfill that duty by not addressing dangerous conditions or providing a clear warning.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injury.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm because of the accident.
Evidence such as accident reports, photos of the hazardous space, witness statements, and expert testimony can help support your claim and bring you closer to the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Premises Liability Case?
Here are various parties who could be responsible for your accident and held liable for your premises liability claim:
- Property Owners: They are primarily responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
- Property Managers: If the property is managed by someone other than the owner, they may be held liable for the dangerous conditions.
- Tenants: In rental properties, tenants may share responsibility for keeping common areas safe. If they are negligent in this responsibility, they could also be held responsible.
- Business Owners: Owners of commercial properties must make their premises safe for customers and employees.
Liability does vary depending on whether the property is residential, commercial, or public. An experienced attorney can help determine who is responsible.
Missouri’s Premises Liability Laws
Missouri’s premises liability laws are designed to protect both property owners and visitors. To do so, the state follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you, as the victim, share some fault in the accident, your compensation may be reduced proportionally to your share of the blame. Our team at Cofman Townsley works diligently to minimize any reduction to our clients’ compensation that may occur as a result of this law.
Another important Missouri law to note is that the state has a statute of limitations for filing a premises liability claim. Victims have five years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If they fail to file within this time frame, they could lose their right to seek compensation.
Compensation Available in Premises Liability Claims
Injuries sustained due to someone else’s negligence often involve serious physical, mental, and emotional harm, leading to hospitalization, long-term care, and lost wages. Because of this, victims may seek many damages in a premises liability claim.
With the help of an experienced lawyer, victims may seek compensation for the following:
- Medical Expenses: Covering the cost of past and future medical bills, including surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work and any lost ability to earn income in the future.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical and emotional aspects of the injury.
- Property Damage: Compensation for any personal property damaged during the incident.
- Long-term Care and Rehabilitation Costs: For serious injuries that require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and assistance at home.
Why You Need a St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer
Premises liability cases are often complex. Anytime you’re dealing with insurance companies, you want an experienced local lawyer involved in your case. Here’s what you can expect from our premises liability lawyers:
- Gather Evidence: Our team collects crucial evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony to help strengthen your case.
- Deep Understanding of Missouri’s Laws: We understand Missouri’s premises liability laws and apply them cases we handle to pursue the best possible outcome. This gives our clients an advantage.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: We go toe-to-toe with these companies to secure a fair settlement that covers all your losses.
- Prepare for Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will prepare your case for court and fight for maximum compensation.
Cofman Townsley has a long history of winning premises liability cases in St. Louis. Our team is here to help you get the compensation you deserve and support you through the entire legal process.
Contact Our St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured because of negligence on someone else’s property, contact Cofman Townsley today. Let us help you secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.