When you suffer injuries due to a hazard on the property of another person, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Your right to compensation will depend in part on your reason for being on the property and whether you had a right to be there in the first place.
In many situations, it is possible to hold a property owner accountable for dangerous hazards on their premises. Most property owners have a duty to address dangerous hazards or at least warn visitors of their presence. When they fail to uphold their duty, they could be liable for any injuries that occur. Our premises liability lawyer serving Marion could help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Is the Property Owner Liable for an Injury on Their Property in Marion County?
Property owners have a duty to protect their visitors from harm, but that duty can vary between one visitor and another. In some cases, property owners must proactively seek out and resolve dangerous hazards. In other cases, they owe a visitor little protection outside of not harming them intentionally.
The duty the property owner has depends on the type of visitor. There are three types of visitors recognized under state law: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees
An invitee is an individual that has entered the property of another person with a purpose that is beneficial to the owner of the premises. The most common example of an invitee is a person that enters a place of business as a prospective customer.
The property owner has a duty to exercise ordinary care when an invitee is on the premises. This means warning the invitee of hidden hazards that are not open and obvious. The property owner also has a duty to resolve a hazard in a reasonable amount of time.
For example, a business owner has a duty not only to clean up a spilled drink but also warn customers of the wet floor up until the spill can be addressed.
Licensees
As is the case with an invitee, a licensee enters the property of another person with their permission. Where the two categories differ is their purpose. A licensee enters the property of another person for their own benefit. This could include house guests or motorists taking advantage of a free parking lot.
The duty owed to licensees is lower than with an invitee. Property owners are required to avoid willfully, wantonly, or recklessly causing their injury in all cases.
When the property owner is aware of a licensee on their property, they have a duty to use ordinary care to ensure they avoid any dangerous hazards.
Trespassers
A trespasser enters the property of another person without permission. The law provides little in the way of a duty of care when it comes to trespassers. However, a property owner may not intentionally, recklessly, or wantonly cause a trespasser injuries.
There is a special exception to this duty when it comes to minors. State law recognizes a doctrine known as the “attractive nuisance doctrine.” Under this doctrine, property owners are responsible when trespassers under the age of 18 are drawn to a dangerous hazard on their property.
These hazards, which must be attractive to children, could include abandoned machinery or empty swimming pools.
For a free legal consultation with a premises liability attorney in Marion, call (614) 538-1116
Examples of Premises Liability Accidents
There are countless hazards that could be hidden on the property of another person. Each of these hazards could represent a viable premises liability case. Some of the most common examples include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Animal attacks
- Exposed wiring
- Spilled chemicals
- Inadequate building security
- Inadequate maintenance
Our firm is prepared to help you pursue your premises liability case. During our investigation, we could review how your accident occurred and identify how the property owner held a duty to prevent it from happening.
Marion Premises Liability Attorney (614) 538-1116
Common Premises Liability Accident Injuries
There are a wide range of injuries that could occur during a premises liability accident. The types of accidents that fall into this category are broad and could lead to injuries on any part of your body. Some of the most common injuries in premises liability cases include:
- Broken arms or legs
- Fractured skulls
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and bruises
- Electrocution
Each of these injuries has the potential to lead to a viable case for monetary compensation. Our attorneys could review your injuries and advise you on what your case might be worth.
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Our Lawyers Can Provide Invaluable Guidance
The law surrounding premises liability cases can be confusing. It can be difficult to understand exactly what duty the property owner owed to you without the guidance of an attorney. If you have questions about your right to pursue a premises liability accident lawsuit, you could get those answers during a free consultation.
Discuss Your Options During a Free Consultation
Our firm provides free consultations to the victims of premises liability accidents. If you are curious about the value of your case or the process of securing compensation for your injuries, your initial consultation is your opportunity to learn more.
Our initial consultations are commitment-free, and we are prepared to advise you of your options whether you ultimately select us as your legal counsel or not. To make the most of your consultation, it can be helpful to write down your questions on paper beforehand to ensure you get all the answers you are looking for.
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You Could be Entitled to Compensation Following a Premises Liability Accident in Marion, Ohio
The owners and occupiers of real property often have significant resources to fight a premises liability case. Often, their insurance company and attorneys could push back on reasonable claims for compensation.
The good news is the right law firm could help you secure fair compensation for your injuries. The team at Bressman Law have a track record of success when it comes to premises liability cases, and we look forward to helping you get fair compensation. Check out our client testimonials to get an idea of how we will serve you. Call (614) 538-1116 for a free consultation with a team member.
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