If a defective or unsafe condition on someone’s property causes you to become injured, you may have a premises liability claim on your hands. Like most other types of personal injury claims, a claim based on the concept of premises liability hinges on proving negligence. Essentially, you must show that a property owner, landlord, or property manager acted negligently or that their inactions were negligent, and that the result of their negligence was that you became injured.
At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our Lancaster premises liability attorneys are well-adept at handling all types of premises liability claims for our valued clients. Let us help you. We can review the merits of your case to determine if your injuries are compensable and help you decide on the best way to move forward. Reach out for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.
Proving Negligence
A successful outcome in a premises liability claim largely centers on proving that the other party was negligent in their maintenance, upkeep, or ownership of the property, failing to act as a reasonable person would to correct issues that can cause harm to others.
Notably, being injured on someone else’s property in and of itself does not automatically cast blame onto the property owner or prove that the person/entity was negligent. Similarly, even if the property was in an unsafe condition, that does not necessarily mean that the owner of the property is negligent. The onus is on the plaintiff to prove that the owner of the property, landlord, or property manager knew or should have known about the potential safety issues but took no action to remedy the problem.
A number of different cases can fall under the umbrella of premises liability. This includes cases involving slip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, fires, exposure to chemicals or toxic fumes, flooding or water leaks, amusement park accidents, and accidents involving elevators or escalators. Swimming pool accidents, injuries or assaults due to insufficient security, and defective property conditions can all result in premises liability claims.
A Duty of Care
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as in many other U.S. states, property owners owe others a so-called “duty of care.” This simply means that the property owner/landlord/property manager must maintain the premises in a manner that is reasonably safe for people who lawfully enter the property. Property owners must warn others if hazards exist. However, if a person is trespassing, then a very low duty of care is owed to the trespasser; the property owner must not intentionally harm the trespasser.
Do You Have a Premises Liability Claim?
If you or a loved one have been hurt on property belonging to someone else, then reaching out to Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., is a smart move. Our team of seasoned Lancaster premises liability attorneys can help you understand your rights and determine if your case may qualify you to recover medical costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages. Reach out to us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.