Premises Liability Lawyers in Dayton, OH Holding Property Owners Accountable After Failure
If you have been injured on someone else’s property due to dangerous conditions, you may be able to hold the owner accountable with the help of a premises liability lawyer. At The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC, we are dedicated to helping those who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence.
Under the body of law known as premises liability, the owner of a building, such as a store, restaurant, hotel, or even the owner of residential property, has a certain amount of responsibility to maintain the safety of the building’s guests. The property must be well-maintained and staffed with a reasonable amount of security, and any potential hazards must be removed quickly. Premises liability is a fairly broad area of the law, as it can come into play in a wide variety of situations.
If you suffered injuries because a property owner failed in their duty of care, then talk to the lawyers at The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC, in Dayton. We’ve handled hundreds of jury trial cases involving a wide variety of personal injury claims, including numerous premises liability cases. We achieved successful results in many of those cases because we’re heavy hitters, we fight to win for our clients, and we will do the same for you. Reach out to our Dayton premises liability attorneys today to schedule your free consultation at 937-918-7555.
What Does Negligence Look Like?
Common examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slip and fall accidents: Caused by spilled liquids, food, or other debris that can create a slippery or unsafe surface. Click here to learn more about these cases.
- Staircase accidents: Caused by lifted or torn carpeting, loose banisters or safety railings, broken steps, loose board, or crumbling infrastructure.
- Accidents caused by improper maintenance: Including failing to replace light bulbs, installing proper lighting, repairing electrical or mechanical problems, replacing batteries in smoke detectors, and more.
- Failure to hire sufficient security; Results in assaults that can leave a victim seriously or fatally injured.
- Failure to warn visitors of a dangerous animal; Resulting in serious dog bites or other animal attacks that can leave a victim with serious injuries.
In many cases, the victim is not at fault for their injuries. The property owner has a responsibility to keep their guests safe, and when they fail in that duty, they can be held liable for the damages caused. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact the Dayton premises liability attorneys at The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation.
How Much Money Can I Receive in a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
There is a common misconception among many people that premises liability cases, in particular slip-and-fall cases, provide millions of dollars in compensation to unqualified victims. The fact is, however, that premises liability cases provide an amount of money appropriate to the situation, enough to compensate the victim for medical bills, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If a case does result in a large verdict, it is because the victim has suffered an extremely serious injury that will require lifelong care, such as a head injury or a spinal cord fracture. Gross negligence can also lead to large payouts for punitive damages.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to speak with an attorney who can help you understand your rights and what you may be entitled to in a settlement. Not all settlement offers are equal. To determine if you should accept an offer or not, it’s always a good idea to have a practiced attorney review your case. That’s where our premises liability lawyers in Dayton can help.
When are Property Owners Liable in Accidents?
In general, premises owners are liable if they allow a hazardous situation to arise on their property. Spilled oil, for example, could be a slipping hazard to visitors if it is not promptly cleaned up. However, Ohio has a law that makes it much more difficult for victims to successfully pursue their premises liability cases.
It’s known as the “open and obvious doctrine”. The doctrine states that if a person of reasonable intelligence could be expected to notice and recognize the premises hazard, then the premises owner is not liable for any injuries that the hazard causes. Victims, therefore, must not only prove that the spilled oil was negligently present but also that it was not an obvious hazard.
This can be difficult, as the nuances of the law are somewhat subjective. Victims who wish to pursue a premises liability claim should consider speaking to a lawyer.
Attractive Nuisances and Trespasser Injuries
Premises liability laws protect the rights of people who have been injured because of negligent property owners, but those protections apply only to visitors — not trespassers. If a person is injured while trespassing on another person’s property, they cannot sue the property owner for damages unless the owner intentionally harmed the trespasser. These protections only apply under certain circumstances.
Although trespassers are generally not protected by premises liability laws, there are exceptions if the “trespasser” is a child. Children are protected under a principle known as the “attractive nuisance doctrine”, which defines the safety precautions that property owners must take to prevent injury to children. It is understood that children do not have the same concept of trespassing as adults, so they are not penalized if they are injured when present on someone else’s property.
The attractive nuisance doctrine also establishes property owners’ responsibilities for protecting the safety of children. A property owner might be liable for a child’s injuries if they were aware of a condition on their property that could endanger children and fail to correct the issue, resulting in harm to a child.
What Can Personal Injury Lawyers Help Me With?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering if you have a case and what personal injury lawyers can help you with. A personal injury lawyer can help by assessing your case to see if you have a valid claim and by representing you in court if your case goes to trial. They can also help with negotiations with the insurance company and with obtaining compensation for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured, it’s important to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to find out what your options are. Whether you think you have a claim or you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Dayton premises liability attorneys. You can rest easy knowing we will have your back from the beginning to the end of your case. The attorney-client relationship is important to us, and we will put your needs first. Call us at 937-918-7555 to get started on your path to success.