Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When dangerous conditions are ignored, serious injuries can occur that leave victims facing ongoing pain. If you were hurt because a property owner failed to address a hazardous condition, our premises liability lawyers in Pottsville can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Understanding Premises Liability in Pennsylvania
Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions. Under Pennsylvania law, property owners are expected to inspect their property, correct known hazards, and provide adequate warnings when dangers cannot be immediately repaired.
Depending on the circumstances, a failure to meet these obligations may result in legal liability.
Many premises liability claims are based on negligence. To recover compensation, an injured person generally must show that the property owner owed a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty, and caused injuries as a result.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Unsafe property conditions can exist in many locations and cover a wide range of accident types. Some of the most common hazards include:
- Wet or slippery floors. For instance, a customer falls on a freshly mopped grocery store floor where no warning sign was posted.
- Uneven sidewalks or walkways. For example, a visitor trips over a cracked section of an apartment complex sidewalk and suffers injuries.
- Broken stairs or missing handrails that lead to a visitor falling down a staircase in an office building.
- Poor lighting in parking lots or stairwells. For instance, a person walking through a dimly lit hotel parking lot cannot see a hazard on the ground and falls.
- Falling merchandise or unsecured objects, such as a shopper being struck by a box that falls from an improperly stacked shelf in a retail store.
- Inadequate security that contributes to criminal activity. For example, a guest is assaulted in an apartment complex parking area where the property owner failed to repair broken security lights.
Compensation Available After a Premises Liability Injury
A serious injury can create financial and emotional challenges that extend well beyond the initial accident. At Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C., our lawyers work to recover compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries. Depending on your case, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses and future medical care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or loss of quality of life
Every premises liability claim is unique, and the available compensation depends on the facts surrounding the accident and the extent of the injuries.
Our Pottsville Premises Liability Attorneys Can Help You Understand Your Legal Options
If you were injured because of unsafe property conditions, the premises liability lawyers in Pottsville at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C. are ready to help. Our goal is to pursue the compensation you need while allowing you to focus on your recovery. Contact our team today online or call 570-622-2455 to schedule your case evaluation.