Pennsylvania Premises Liability Lawyer

Private and business property owners must take reasonable measures to keep the premises safe or warn visitors of risks. A property defect or hazard could cause an accident and leave you with severe physical, financial, and psychological harm.

You could be eligible to collect damages from the at-fault party when you suffered injuries on someone else’s property because of negligence, such as an unsafe structure or design flaw. Call a knowledgeable Pennsylvania premises liability lawyer if you need help with a case. A personal injury attorney understands the process and regulations surrounding premises liability claims.

Common Premises Liability Lawsuit Causes

Accidents leading to premises liability cases can happen to anyone, anywhere. Some of the more common causes of lawsuits include the following:

• Dangerous staircases and walkways
• Inadequate lighting and broken fixtures
• Poor security
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Broken elevators and escalators
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards

A Pennsylvania premises liability attorney could answer specific questions after reviewing the accident and other case details.

Common Premises Liability Accident Injuries

A fall or attack can leave a victim with severe injuries and losses. Some of the common injuries include head and brain injuries, severe burns, scarring and disfigurement, and spinal cord injuries.

The Type of Visitor in Premises Liability Cases

There are three types of visitors in most premises liability cases, and the group the person falls into will determine the duty of care the landowner owes the guest. The three categories include:

The Invitee

The courts define an invitee as people entering the property by implied or express invitation. This group often enters the premises for business, resulting in the owner’s financial gain. The person responsible for the property owes the legal duty of reasonable care.

The Licensee

A licensee is someone the owner permits to enter the property for their own reason or purposes. A dinner or party guest would fall within this group. The land possessor owes the licensee a duty to warn of risks or potential hazards on the premises.

The Trespasser

Civil laws describe trespassers as people the landowner has little or no cause to expect to enter the premises. While the landowner has no duty to keep the property safe or warn about hazards, they cannot willfully cause them harm.

When a property has items that attract children, such as swimming pools, the court could hold the owner financially accountable if a trespassing child accesses the property and sustains injuries.

The Statute of Limitations in Premises Liability Lawsuits

It is crucial to begin an investigation and collect evidence quickly after suffering injuries because of a negligent property owner. While circumstances could shorten or extend the time frame, under the 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524, the petitioner generally has two years to file a premises liability lawsuit.

When a plaintiff files a civil action after the statute’s expiration date, the defendant has cause to request the court to dismiss the case without hearing it. If the judge dismisses the case, there is little chance of recovering damages. A premises liability lawyer in Pennsylvania could handle the legal work while the plaintiff focuses on medical care and recovery.

Call a Knowledgeable Premises Liability Attorney in Pennsylvania

An accident leading to severe injuries on someone else’s property can leave you with stacks of medical bills and unable to work. When a negligent owner fails to keep the property safe or warn visitors of the risks, the court will hold them accountable for the damages.

A Pennsylvania premises liability lawyer could advocate on your behalf for a fair settlement to cover the damages. Call our team to schedule an appointment if you need help with a claim.