Premise Liability (Pennsylvania)
Any person that owns property has a duty to ensure that their property is free and clear of anything dangerous that may injure someone who is welcomed onto – or perhaps even trespasses onto – that property. Of course, some dangers can be entirely unforeseen, but the overwhelming majority of them can. When property owners fail to take note of these dangers and to take action in order to remove them, then they are being negligent. This negligence forms the core of premise liability law, which provides a means for injured parties to seek compensation and damages. If you or someone you know was injured in such a circumstance, then you should contact one of the Pennsylvania premise liability attorneys on the team at Heavens Law.
What Situations Are Covered by Premise Liability Law?
Generally speaking, any situation wherein a property owner’s negligence with respect to maintaining a safe environment leads to injury, a premise liability case can be brought. Slip and fall accidents are the most common and most instantly recognizable of such cases. An example of this would be a grocery store that fails to clean up a spill, allowing one of its patrons to slip and break their ankle. While this is what most people think of when they think of premise liability, there are other forms:
- Property managers who do not maintain their buildings
- Bars that put guests at danger by continuing to serve over-intoxicated patrons
- Pet owners who do not properly secure dangerous animals
- Businesses that expose guests to dangerous substances
- Homeowners who do not fence off their pools
- And others
Premise liability laws govern these and many other situations. As you can see from the examples, all property owners, from private individuals to major businesses, can be held liable when they fail to provide those on their property with a safe environment. When these situations lead to injury, then the injured party has a right to pursue compensation from the negligent party in court. This can often be necessary as premise liability cases often involve injuries that are more severe than a broken ankle.
What To Do If You’re Injured on Another’s Property
Naturally, the first thing you should due is to ensure that you’re able to receive proper medical attention for your injuries. After this is done, be sure to gather any evidence related to the accident that befell you. You can, for example, use your phone’s camera to take pictures of the area where the accident took place. If you’re in a business that has surveillance cameras, request that the business hold onto the tapes. Often, businesses and the insurance companies that represent them will try to hide or destroy such evidence in order to avoid having to pay out claims and compensation. Don’t give them this opportunity. Additionally, before you sign any documents that may be provided by the property owner or their insurance company, make sure that you consult with a qualified Pennsylvania premise liability attorney.
How to Hire a Pennsylvania Premise Liability Attorney
Our team of Pennsylvania premise liability attorneys at Heavens Law has a proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for those who suffer injury in such cases. If you believe that you may have a premise liability suit against a party or parties, then call 1-800-HEAV-LAW to speak to one of our attorneys. Our attorney will offer you a free consultation wherein you can explain the circumstances of your case. After this, the Pennsylvania premise liability attorney will review the options that are available for pursuing the full compensation that’s due to you.
