Columbus Premises Liability Lawyers

Columbus Premises Liability: Common Accidents

People are injured every day because negligent property owners and managers ignore hazards and otherwise fail to keep their properties safe. You can be hurt while running errands, visiting friends, or at an entertainment venue.

Premises liability cases include:

• Slip and falls – This can happen almost anywhere, and the physical harm suffered can be significant. Property owners and occupiers must make sure to keep walkways secure and clear of debris, spilled liquids, and more.
• Swimming pool accidents – You can incur harm at someone else’s pool in many ways. Common harm often includes drowning, chemical burns, and broken bones. When you’re enjoying a pool, it’s always best to remain alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Negligent security – Guests and other visitors must be protected from harm when they visit various establishments. This means a landowner needs to provide sufficient security from other dangerous guests and situations.
• Stair, balcony, and deck accidents – Many assume that decks, stairs, and balconies are properly secured to buildings and that there’s not much of a chance they can get hurt while in one of these locations. People are often injured due to stairs, decks, and balconies that are poorly maintained and/or improperly used.

Our attorneys know that every accident is unique. It can sometimes be difficult to determine who is responsible for paying for an injured person’s damages. Fighting for you to receive fair compensation will require investigating every detail of your case.

Who’s Liable for a Hazardous Property?

Everyone must take reasonable steps to prevent needless injuries from being inflicted upon others. This is often described as a duty of care.

When it comes to accidents on another’s property, you may be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the property owners for damages if they failed to take normal precautions to keep you safe. This includes fixing damaged facilities that create a danger to those present. Further, premises liability law requires a duty to warn guests of serious dangers that might go unnoticed.

Columbus Premises Liability Claims: Proving Negligence

To successfully file a premises liability, claim or lawsuit you must establish negligence on the part of the property owner or manager. This is accomplished by demonstrating:

• You were present on property owned or occupied by someone else.
• There was a danger while you were present.
• This danger was the cause of the injuries that you sustained.
• The owner was careless by failing to take reasonable steps to remove this danger or to properly give you a warning of the danger.

Your Status on the Property is Important

Premises liability coverage applies to injured people who generally fall within one of the three following categories:

• Invitees – This is an individual invited to visit the property of another for social or business reasons. A property owner must take steps to perform regular maintenance and warn you of dangers.
• Licensees – These people enter the property of others for their own pleasure or benefit, and they do so with the owner’s implied permission. In these situations, the owner only owes the guests the duty of refraining from willfully or recklessly taking actions to cause injury.
• Trespassers – If you are on the property of another without permission, then you are considered a trespasser. The duty of care owed to you is lower; property owners must not do anything that puts you in danger or that causes you harm.

What Are You Entitled to After a Property Accident?

If you or a loved one suffered because a property was not kept safe due to neglect, you could pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Whether you hurt your knee in a fall or a loved one suffered a severe dog bite, you may be entitled to your:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful Death

Injuries stemming from poorly maintained properties often result in ongoing medical issues throughout a person’s life. This can include chronic pain and reduced mobility. If you suffered a significant injury on someone’s property, it’s important to consider all your losses and ensure any settlement or award properly compensates you.

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How Long Do Premises Liability Claims Take?

Whether you pursue a negotiated insurance settlement or lawsuit, the time it takes to resolve a premises liability claim will depend on the facts and circumstances involved. Some cases will only take a few months if your injuries are well documented and liability is clear.

However, in more complex cases, it can take a few years or longer, especially if liability is disputed. While there is no average premises liability settlement amount, you can better understand your case and what to expect by speaking with a lawyer.

Premises Liability: Time Limits

Ohio law requires that you file a claim for damages within two years of your injury, or else you risk not being able to recover financially from the negligent party.

KNR’s Premises Liability Attorneys Will

• Answer your questions and concerns
• Keep you updated during all stages of the process
• Obtain medical records about the extent of your injury
• Identify the responsible party
• Determine the fair and full value of your damages
• Negotiate for maximum compensation
• Fight for everything you deserve in court if necessary