Premises Liability – When Accidents Happen Outside Of The Home

When we hear someone speak about being involved in an accident, we often assume they were hit by a car or involved in a motor vehicle accident that left them injured. Quite often, we neglect to consider that accidents can happen at any time and any place – for virtually any reason.
For this reason, we have an area of personal injury law referred to as “premises liability.” This area of personal injury law covers instances where individuals are injured in situations other than those involving motor vehicles. These cases often involve slip and fall incidents, burn injuries, and various types of injuries caused by a property owner’s neglect.
Although it is easy to assume “I was injured here and it’s your fault!” this is not always the case. In the world of premises liability, it is crucial to understand that an individual or business has a duty to provide a safe property for others to use. If they fail to do so, those injured may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner.
In order for a premises liability claim to be successful, a claimant must be able to prove that the owner’s negligence caused unsafe conditions on the property and, as a result of these unsafe conditions, you were injured. In addition to being injured, you must prove that the owner knew about the hazard, or that they should have known the problem existed. Furthermore, a claimant must prove that they sustained damages as a result of the neglect. Working with a reputable personal injury attorney from Siegfried & Jensen will ensure your legal rights are protected.

When Slip And Fall Accidents Happen

One of the most common circumstances surrounding premises liability claims in Utah is those in which individuals suffer devastating falls due to the neglect of others. Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of locations and are often due to a lack of warning from business or property owners or negligence.
In cases of slip and fall accidents, claimants must prove that an unsafe condition existed. This could involve proving that the ground was broken and no signage was displayed or that there was an ignored liquid spilled onto the floor that caused a slippery surface. Other instances of slip and fall injuries occur due to:

• Broken railing;
• Improper or inadequate lighting;
• Parking lot potholes;
• Poorly constructed staircases;
• Loose floorboards;
• Cluttered floors;
• Defective sideways;
• Unsecured rugs or mats; or
• Other uneven surfaces.

A lot of slip and fall injuries occur due to weather conditions. Rain, ice, and snow can all wreak havoc for individuals who are simply trying to walk from one area to the next on a property. Property owners who do not adequately clear snow or apply salt over icy areas place people at risk of sustaining serious slip and fall injuries.
Individuals who are injured in slip and fall accidents often suffer severe head, neck, and back injuries that drastically decrease their ability to function properly. These injuries can have a lasting and devastating impact on victims. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident due to the neglect or reckless acts of a property owner, it is crucial to contact a skilled premises liability attorney to help you with your claim.

What Other Risk Factors Contribute To Slip And Fall Accidents

It is crucial to consider other facts which often contribute to a person being injured in slip and fall incidents. These factors not only increase the likelihood of an accident to occur, but they also increase the severity of possible injuries incurred by a victim. Some of the factors include:

• The age of the victim;
• The physical condition of the victim;
• Whether they have an inner ear problem or other balancing issues;
• The victim’s weight;
• Whether they are familiar with an area;
• Whether the victim has any disabilities;
• If there are objects blocking the view of the hazard; and
• If there are other hazards that victims call fall against (E., A wet floor next to a glass statute presents a far greater risk of injury than a wet floor in an open area);

If you are injured in a slip and fall incident, or another type of premises liability accident, it is crucial to contact a Utah personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Other Types Of Premises Liability Cases

In addition to slip and fall incidents, victims can sustain injuries under various circumstances. Some other common claims under premises liability include situations involving:

• Inadequate maintenance to facilities;
• Ice or snow accidents;
• Inadequate security in buildings or parking lots;
• Improperly maintained elevators;
• Swimming pool accidents;
• Dog bites;
• Toxic chemical exposure;
• Amusement park injuries; and
• Slip and fall incidents with outside liability.

It is crucial to note that any premises liability case can have multiple parties liable for injuries. This is especially true in cases where incidents occur in businesses as well as cases where injury victims share partial liability. Working with a skilled personal injury attorney will ensure you are able to protect your legal rights to compensation for your injuries.

How A Premises Liability Attorney Can Help You

Personal injury attorneys at Siegfried & Jensen have helped over 35,000 accident get compensation and justice for their injuries caused by negligent or reckless parties. Since 1990, we have helped victims collect over $850 million in compensation for their cases. Our skilled and knowledgeable accident attorneys help those injured by gathering evidence to build a strong legal claim.
We work diligently to interview witnesses, consult experts who often recreate the scene of the incident to uncover critical details, and we gather documents and information from law enforcement and medical professionals. Our goal is to help clients get the justice and compensation they deserve so they can focus on their recovery without worrying whether or not their legal rights are protected.
If you were injured on another person or businesses’ property, it is crucial to contact our law firm at (801) 266-0999. Schedule a consultation at any of our four convenient locations to see what legal options are available for you.