AthensPedestrian Accident Lawyer

Dealing with injuries that occur on another person’s property can be confusing, but thankfully you have options if the owner’s negligent behavior caused your suffering. For instance, a seasoned personal injury attorney could help you pursue financial compensation.

An experienced Athens premises liability lawyer could analyze your case and help communicate why the negligent defendant should assume responsibility for your injuries. You deserve personalized attention, and the right attorney could be a perfect ally. En Español

How Might Someone Get Injured on Another Person’s Property?

There are many different factors that might result in a plaintiff being harmed while spending time on another person’s space. In most premises’ liability cases, injuries are typically caused by:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Poor lighting
• Defective security systems
• Electrical or chemical hazards
• Unsafe balconies, floors, or structures

All of these dangers are features of an unsafe environment. An inquisitive attorney in Athens could determine exactly how an environmental hazard caused the injuries associated with a plaintiff’s premises liability case.

When Does a Property Owner Need to Protect People from Harm?

State law requires that property owners keep their properties reasonably safe for visitors, so a failure to keep a premises secure could require a landowner to assume liability for any resulting harm. The duty of care that a property owner owes a plaintiff depends on the individual’s legal status while they are on the property. Each classification entitles a person to a different level of protection.

Invitees

A person who is expressly invited to a property in a way that benefits both parties is considered an invitee. This legal status entitles the visitor to a high level of care, including regular inspections, protection from known hazards and any potential dangers. This legal status is commonly associated with people visiting businesses or spending time in publicly maintained spaces.

Licensees

Meanwhile, a licensee is someone who visits another person’s property for non-commercial purposes. Common examples of licensees include social guests. Property owners are still required to warn these visitors of known dangers and make corrections, but the standard of care is not as elevated as the one that a landowner owes an invitee.

Trespassers

Finally, trespassers are people who enter a person’s property without permission, either express or implied. Property holders owe trespassers very little duty of care and only need to protect against purposeful harm. They do not need to warn these intruders of known dangers.

A knowledgeable legal representative in Athens could help an injured person determine their legal status at the time of their visit and begin the process of submitting a premises liability claim.

Establishing Negligence in a Premises Liability Claim

A wounded plaintiff can seek financial compensation for their suffering if they can prove that a negligent defendant failed to uphold the required duty of care. Establishing this aspect can become complicated, but a resourceful regal representative could use their experience to investigate the accident on a careless landowners’ premises.

One crucial aspect of premises liability lawsuits that people should understand is that Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 requires a plaintiff to file their claim within two years of the accident. A proactive attorney in Athens could help a wounded individual submit their premises liability action on time to avoid procedural complications.