Did you sustain injuries in a fall or other incident on someone else’s property? Are you missing work and struggling to pay your medical bills? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it’s time to talk to a Phoenix premises liability lawyer. Triumph Law Group understands what you’re going through and can help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. We’ll handle all the legal work, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call 602-595-5559 now or complete our contact form for a free case review.
Why You Need a Phoenix Premises Liability Attorney
It’s often difficult to prove that a property owner or business caused your injuries by failing to take care of a property. You can expect the insurance companies to minimize your injuries or try to blame you for the incident. Without someone on your side to advocate for your rights, you might lose your case or accept a settlement that doesn’t cover all your needs.
A Phoenix premises liability lawyer can defend your rights, stand up to the insurance companies on your behalf, thoroughly document your injuries, and prove the business or property owner caused the incident. It’s your attorney’s job to simplify the legal process, explain key terms and concepts, and negotiate for a fair settlement. Should your case go to trial, you’ll need a lawyer to handle the legal procedures and present a persuasive case to the judge or jury.
What Does ‘Premises Liability’ Mean?
In a nutshell, premises liability is the legal theory that says property owners and businesses must maintain a safe environment for visitors, customers, or guests. If someone visiting a property suffers an injury because the property owner or business didn’t fix a hazard on the premises, the property owner or business could be liable for the injured party’s medical bills and other losses.
The level of care a property owner or business owes to a visitor depends on the circumstances of the guest’s visit. Under Arizona law, visitors fall into one of three categories:
- Invitees – An invitee is someone a property owner or business allows onto the premises for a commercial purpose. For example, customers in a restaurant or store and contractors hired to make repairs are invitees. Property owners and businesses owe the highest level of care to invitees. They must warn invitees of known hazards on the premises and regularly check the grounds for potential dangers.
- Licensees – A licensee is someone who visits a property for a social purpose, such as someone who visits a friend or family member’s home. Property owners must warn licensees of known hazards, but they don’t have to regularly inspect the premises as they must for invitees.
- Trespassers – A trespasser is anyone who visits a property without permission. Generally, property owners or businesses are not liable for injuries to trespassers unless they deliberately or willfully cause the injuries (by setting a trap, for example). One notable exception to this rule is child trespassers, who may not understand warning signs or the danger of visiting a property without permission.
Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Premises liability law covers many types of accidents and injuries that can occur on someone’s property. Some common premises liability cases we handle include:
- Slip-and-fall/trip-and-fall accidents – Wet or slippery floors, stray electrical cords, debris on the floors, and other slip or trip hazards can cause severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and broken bones.
- Staircase accidents – Worn handrails, broken steps, or slippery surfaces can cause visitors to lose their balance and fall while using stairs, potentially leading to severe injuries.
- Swimming pool accidents – Partial or complete drownings can easily occur at Phoenix swimming pools. Children are particularly susceptible to drowning and can wander into an improperly secured pool. Visitors may also sustain injuries from slipping on wet surfaces near a pool.
- Elevator and escalator accidents – Elevator or escalator accidents can cause devastating injuries, particularly if someone’s clothing or body gets caught in the machinery. Property owners and businesses must ensure that escalators and elevators work properly and promptly fix broken equipment.
- Falling object injuries – Objects falling from shelves or other heights can strike visitors on the head or other areas of the body, which can cause traumatic brain injuries or other severe injuries.
- Dog bites and animal attacks – Dog owners must keep their pets properly secured on their property and within their control when walking their dogs in public. Otherwise, visitors may sustain puncture wounds, infections, or other dog bite injuries.
- Negligent security incidents (assaults, robberies, etc.) – Property owners, particularly owners of apartment complexes and other residences, must provide adequate security to keep tenants and visitors safe. Otherwise, visitors may suffer severe injuries from assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes on the premises.
- Electrical hazards – Frayed wires, broken appliances, and other electrical hazards can cause severe burns and other injuries if property owners don’t address them.
- Toxic exposure – Visitors can suffer respiratory infections or other injuries from inhaling or touching toxic chemicals, mold, carbon monoxide, or similar hazards.
- Parking lot and sidewalk injuries – Slippery or broken sidewalks and parking lots can cause severe injuries if visitors lose their balance and fall.
Common Injuries from Phoenix Premises Liability Incidents
Premises liability injuries vary significantly depending on the incident that caused them, but some common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Sprains, strains, or other soft-tissue injuries
- Respiratory infections
- Stab or gunshot wounds from assaults or other violent crimes
- Emotional distress
Common Locations for Premises Liability Incidents
Premises liability incidents can happen almost anywhere, and some common locations include:
- Grocery stores
- Businesses
- Warehouses
- Bars and restaurants
- Swimming pools
- Parks
- Sports venues
- Amusement parks
- Shopping malls
- Hotels and resorts
- Private homes and apartment complexes
- Parking lots and garages
- Office buildings
Compensation in Phoenix Premises Liability Claims
Your premises liability claim’s value depends on the injuries you sustained, how long they’re expected to last, how much work you miss, and other factors specific to your situation. With the right legal support, your compensation could include money for:
- Current medical expenses, including your prescription drugs, doctor’s visits, surgeries, lab work, physical therapy, and assistive devices you may need (such as a wheelchair or crutches).
- Future medical expenses related to your injuries.
- Lost income if your injuries prevent you from working.
- Reduced future earnings if your injuries keep you from returning to your old job or force you to find a new career.
- Your pain and suffering from your injuries.
- Your emotional distress and diminished quality of life due to your injuries.
- The cost to repair or replace any personal property damaged in the incident (if applicable).
Deadline to File a Phoenix Premises Liability Lawsuit
In most cases, you have two years from the date you sustained your injuries to file a premises liability lawsuit. However, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. You want to give your attorney enough time to build a strong case without worrying about impending deadlines.
Contact Our Phoenix Premises Liability Lawyers Now
Triumph Law Group is ready to help you hold a negligent business or property owner accountable for your injuries. Call our personal injury lawyers in Phoenix at 602-595-5559 or complete our contact form for a free consultation about how to obtain the compensation you deserve.
T