Vineland Premises Liability Lawyer
Request a Free ConsultationWhen you go shopping or visit a place, you might be unaware of the risk of harm on someone else’s property. If you were hurt on another person’s property and now suffer from pain, expensive medical bills, and lost wages, you should contact a steadfast personal injury attorney. A dedicated Vineland premises liability lawyer could help you seek reimbursement for your losses from the parties responsible for your accident.
What Responsibilities do Local Property Owners Have?
Vineland property owners owe a duty of due care to invited guests and others who have authorization to be on the land. In most situations, this duty requires property owners and managers to actively take steps to make the area reasonably safe.
A landowner who does not remedy known hazards or those that should have been known could be found negligent for failing to warn his or her guests if an injury results. A seasoned Vineland premises liability attorney could help explain negligence theories and how they apply on a case-by-case basis.
What Defenses Are Available for Vineland Landowners?
When an injured claimant files a premises liability suit, the owner of the property in question may assert several defenses to either minimize or eliminate his or her fault. Per New Jersey Revised Statues §2A:15-5.1, a claimant may not receive an award for his or her injuries if he or she is determined to have been more negligent than the defendant.
In other words, a plaintiff who is determined to be more than 50 percent responsible for his or her injuries may not recover monetary damages. Additionally, an injured plaintiff may have his or her compensatory award reduced proportionately to his or her assigned percentage of fault.
Hidden Danger
Because an owner of a residence or shop must remedy hazards which are reasonably noticeable, such an owner may try to contest civil liability by asserting that the condition which harmed his or her guest was hidden. A host is not required to inspect his or her premises for unknown dangers prior to allowing guests to come there. However, a skilled premises liability lawyer in Vineland may be able to counter this argument and show that the owner should have noticed the hazard and warned the plaintiff before he or she was harmed.
Do Injured Trespassers Have a Right to Compensation?
In general, a landowner does not owe a duty of care to a trespasser, which is a person who does not have permission to be on the premises. Even a guest may become a trespasser if he or she exceeds the scope of his or her invitation.
For example, a shopper who enters a part of a store where only employees are authorized to go might be deemed a trespasser by the court. However, a diligent lawyer in Vineland who has experience with premises liability cases could work to prove that you were harmed during a lawful visit so that you may recover damages for your injuries.
Speak with a Vineland Premises Liability Attorney Today
Personal injuries can lead to excessive medical bills, lost wages, and a lot of pain. If you were hurt while you were visiting a home or business, you might have grounds to file a lawsuit against the landowner.
You should consider contacting an attorney about the circumstances of your injuries and your desire to file suit. A Vineland premises liability lawyer could fight on your behalf and help you pursue damages.