Landowners must take direct measures to prevent others from injuring themselves on their property. For example, a landowner should melt ice from sidewalks to avoid slips and fix broken stairs to prevent falls. When you have been injured because a landowner was negligent, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against that person.
You deserve compensation for what you went through, but filing a lawsuit is not something you have to do alone. Get legal help from a St. Louis premises liability lawyer who could guide you through the process and ensure you meet all the requirements.
An experienced personal injury attorney could collect evidence and help prove negligence in your particular case. Reach out today to schedule an initial consultation with McCready Law.
A premises liability lawyer in St. Louis can determine the duty of care that a specific landowner owes to people who are on their property. The duty of care could be different depending on the type of property. For instance, a private homeowner has different obligations to visitors than a gas station or restaurant owner. The law may also consider why the visitor was on the property when they were injured.
In general, landowners need to make reasonable attempts to fix a hazardous condition on their property as soon as they are aware of it, or else they need to warn people about the hazardous condition. In some cases, the landowner should inspect their property regularly to find hazardous conditions.
A skilled St. Louis premises liability attorney could help determine if a landowner failed to be reasonable, neglecting the hazard and allowing visitors to encounter a harmful situation. If that is the case, the landowner may be liable to any visitors who injured themselves while on their land.
The compensation an injured party could recover in a premises liability case includes economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages under unique circumstances. Economic damages are tangible losses a person experiences, such as:
Damages could also be non-economic, including the following:
In particularly egregious cases, a judge may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and are rare in premise liability cases. They are more likely to be seen in incidents like drunk driving or an intentional assault.
When a loved one passes away due to a slip and fall accident, a legal professional could help the surviving family pursue a wrongful death claim. This type of claim could compensate for funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and any other areas affected by the individual’s death.
Pursuing recovery of any or all of these damages may seem like a difficult task. Rely on a premises liability lawyer in St. Louis to understand the process and pursue the best course of action.
Being aware of the time limitations when dealing with civil lawsuits is essential. Residents of Illinois must file within two years of the accident, according to Illinois Compiled Statutes, § 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
However, residents of Missouri typically must file within five years of the accident, according to MO Rev Stat § 516.140. Some exceptions may apply, which a premises liability lawyer in St. Louis could explain. Call McCready Law for more information and to schedule an appointment.
By initiating a personal injury lawsuit as soon as possible, you could hold the landowner accountable for the injury you sustained on their property. Our knowledgeable legal professionals could build a strong case and present it to the court or insurance company, potentially increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
To discuss your incident with a St. Louis premises liability lawyer, get in touch with McCready Law today to schedule a free initial consultation. You deserve representation from a team that will fight for your rights.