If you fall and get hurt on someone else’s property, they should be held responsible for your injuries. The problem is, a lot of people don’t realize that they have a right to damages. Perhaps they’re embarrassed because they fell in a public place. Or maybe they don’t want to file a lawsuit against their friend of neighbor. Premises liability injury lawyers see this a lot.
The truth is, if you get hurt while on someone’s premises, you have to file a claim. There are a few reasons for this:
- Your private health insurance provider isn’t going to cover injuries caused by someone else
- You shouldn’t pay out of pocket if the accident wasn’t your fault
- The property owner has insurance to cover these types of things
Personal injury lawyers know exactly how to handle these types of claims. Over the years, they’ve handled dozens of premises’ liability lawsuits. They know what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. And, chances are, you won’t have to personally go after your friend or neighbor. Your lawyer will submit a claim to the insurance company. If it’s denied, they’ll have to file a lawsuit. However, the insurance company is required to defend the property owner. And, even if you do sue, there’s a 90% chance that your case will settle long before trial.
If you or your loved one has been injured on someone else’s property, call and speak with a premises liability injury lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina.
What Exactly is a Premises Liability Claim?
If you ask most people, they can tell you exactly what a personal injury claim is. They’ll say they have friends who’ve slipped and fallen at the grocery store. Or maybe they know someone who was hit in the head with a piece of equipment. What they don’t realize is that these are actually premises liability claims.
Whenever you suffer an injury on someone else’s property, you may have a premises liability claim. In order to prevail in this claim, your Greenville personal injury lawyer has to prove the following:
- You were injured while on the defendant’s property
- The defendant had an unsafe or dangerous condition on their property
- They didn’t make a reasonable effort to repair or warn you of that condition
- Your accident or injury was foreseeable
Whether or not the defendant is liable may depend on why you were on their property. It also hinges on whether or not you have permission to be on their property. The four (4) main types of visitors on a property include:
- Invitee – This is someone who was invited on the property by the owner. An example of this is when you go into a store.
- Licensee – Enters the property for their own purposes, but they do have the consent of the owner. This could be a salesperson or client.
- Social Guest – This is just what it sounds like. If you’re invited to a party or a dinner at someone’s home, you would be considered a social guest.
- Trespasser – Most people know what a trespasser is. And, while you may think that trespassers can’t sue for a premises liability claim, they can. If the owner knows that the trespasser is likely to enter their property, they may be required to warn the trespasser of any dangerous condition.
The general rule is that invitees and social guests are protected under premises liability. Trespassers and licensees are not. Just keep in mind, even if you’re a trespasser or licensee, there are some cases in which you may have a valid claim for damages.
Your Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer Will Demand Compensation
If you’re injured while on someone else’s property, you may have a claim for damages. It depends on how seriously you were injured. Now, if you weren’t hurt at all, you won’t have a valid claim. However, even minor injuries can entitle you to certain damages.
Your attorney will demand the following damages in your premises liability claim:
- Medical bills
- lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Contact an Experienced Premises Liability Injury Attorney in Greenville
If you’re hurt while on someone else’s property, you need to contact an experienced Greenville, SC personal injury lawyer. The property owner will likely have an attorney working for them. At a minimum, their homeowner’s carrier will challenge your claim. This is why you should call and schedule a free consultation in the next week or two. Don’t miss your chance to recover damages for your injuries.
