Euless, Texas Premises Liability Lawyers
Fiercely Representing Clients Who Have Been Injured
Anyone who owns a property in Texas has a responsibility to maintain it to a relatively safe level so that people who come onto the property don’t get injured. This responsibility is known as “premises liability.” Property owners and residents can be held legally liable for accidents and injuries that happen on their property if they do not live up to this responsibility. Premises liability claims can cover a wide range of injuries, from dog bites, swimming pool accidents, amusement park injuries, gym injuries, elevator accidents, sidewalk and stairwell falls, and more. If you or a loved one have been injured while on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. The Wolf of Law Street will fight for your legal rights. We believe you deserve the maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case: (972) 573-4532.
What Should You Do if You Are Injured on Someone’s Property?
If you are on someone else’s property and an unexpected accident or injury happens it can be frightening. But keeping your wits about you immediately after the injury and in the following weeks can help you improve your chances of having a strong case. Here are some steps you should take:
- Get medical help: Your safety and well-being is paramount. If the injury is serious, call emergency services and wait for help to arrive. Always seek medical help, even if the injury seems minor to you at the time, because it may be more serious than you realize.
- Get witness information: Record the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who saw your accident.
- Take pictures: Record images and video, if possible, of the place where you got hurt. Multiple images and angles are best. If you are too hurt to take pictures, have a friend or a witness take pictures for you.
- Save documentation of everything related to the injury: Write down your recollection of the event as soon as possible so the details are fresh in your mind. Keep copies of all bills, letters, texts, emails, and any other correspondence and reports involved with your accident.
- Follow up on any needed medical treatment: Don’t refuse treatment or put off going to the doctor. Also, follow all medical advice you are given. If you do not, it may be argued that you were not badly hurt or did not take all the necessary steps to get better.
How Does the Classification of the Plaintiff Affect a Liability Case?
Under Texas law, a person who is on someone else’s property is classified into one of 3 different categories, depending on why they are there. The property owner has different legal obligations to protect the visitor, depending on their classification. The 3 categories are:
- Licensee: This person has been given permission by the owner to be on their property. The owner must warn a licensee of any potential dangers on the property that they are aware of, but the licensee may not know about. This could include things like a loose step or a slippery spot.
- Invitee: This is a person who comes on the property with the knowledge and permission of the owner, for the mutual benefit of both parties. Invitees may be the customers of a business, delivery people, utility workers, and others. The owner has the most duty to an invitee out of the 3 classifications. The owner must fix or warn the invitee about any danger that the owner is aware of or could discover with a reasonable inspection.
- Trespasser: This person is on the owner’s property without permission. The only responsibility the owner has to a trespasser is to not injure them willfully or by gross negligence.
What Compensation Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help You Obtain?
An experienced premises liability lawyer will fight to ensure that the property owner is held responsible for the dangerous condition that caused your injury. If liability is proven, you might receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses: Any fees for medical care resulting from your injury. If you will require ongoing care, this may also include compensation for future medical expenses.
- Lost wages: You can be paid for any work you missed dating from the injury to the end of the lawsuit. If you are permanently unable to work, you may be awarded the wages you could have earned if you had not been severely injured.
- Pain and suffering: An injury may cause serious pain, embarrassment, grief, anxiety, and other emotional distress, which you may be compensated for.
- Legal costs: In some cases, the defendant may have to pay for your legal representation as part of your compensation.
- Punitive damages: If the injury is found to have occurred as a result of negligence, punitive damages may be awarded.
How Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Assist You?
You are legally able to file a premises liability claim yourself, but if you hire a personal injury attorney, you are gaining the benefit of their years of experience in the law. The Wolf of Law Street will handle all aspects of your case including the evidence gathering, investigation, and negotiation with the property owner’s insurance company, so you can focus on your health. We do not recommend accepting any settlement the property owner’s insurance company may offer you because it may not fully cover all of your expenses. We will fight to recover the proper compensation for your situation. Contact us at (972) 573-4532 to find out what your legal rights are and get a free case evaluation.