Salt Lake City Premises Liability Lawyer
In Utah, property owners are legally responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition. If a visitor is injured due to a dangerous condition on the property, the owner may be held liable, regardless of whether the injury was intentional or unintentional.
If you have been injured on someone’s property due to their negligence, you need the support of a Salt Lake City premises liability lawyer.
At Siegfried & Jensen, we fight to represent victims of personal injury accidents against negligent companies and individuals. With over 30 years of trial experience, our lawyers understand the laws, case precedents, and factors necessary to establish a premises liability case. Contact a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer at our office to set up a free case consultation.
Understanding Premises Liability in Utah
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. This means that property owners have a duty to protect visitors from foreseeable hazards. This applies to private property like homes, apartments, and other residential properties, commercial property like businesses, stores, and shopping centers, and government property like public buildings, parks, and other government-owned spaces.
Understanding the premises liability and the basics of slip & fall accidents in Salt Lake City is the first step to determining if you have the basis of a claim. If a visitor is injured due to a dangerous condition on the property, the property owner may be held liable. Our lawyers can help you delve into the circumstances of your accident to find out how to build your case best.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is essential to consult with a premises liability attorney in Salt Lake City, UT. They can assess your case, gather evidence, and help you navigate the legal process to seek compensation for your injuries.
No matter the individual, company, or government entity you are going up against, our lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you pursue justice for your injuries.
Common Types of Premises Liability Claims
If you are wondering if you have a case for a slip and fall injury claim or a premises liability case, it can help to see some common examples. We have dealt with a wide variety of premises liability cases over our 30 years of experience. Some common types of premises liability claims involve:
- Slip and fall accidents due to low lighting, poorly maintained floors, including spills and debris
- Falling merchandise from store shelves and warehouses
- Items falling from the ceiling, such as light fixtures or from a window or balcony
- Negligent security allows criminal activity, such as assaults, to occur
- Fires from electrical issues and unattended flames
- Animal bites and attacks
- Swimming pool accidents
- Other hazardous conditions
Establishing Negligence in a Premises Liability Case
To successfully prove a premises liability claim, you must establish the following four elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty of care refers to the responsibility a property owner owes to anyone coming onto the property. Under Utah Code Chapter 14, this can vary depending on your status on the property, such as being an invited guest, a licensee, or a trespasser.
Next, the property owner must prove that they breached their duty. This requires evidence that they failed to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition, whether through action or inaction. After this, you must show that this negligence from the property owner directly caused your injuries.
Consulting with an experienced premises liability attorney in Salt Lake City, UT, can help you gather evidence, build a strong case, and maximize your potential compensation.
They will help you finish the last of the four elements of negligence – calculating and providing proof of your damages from the injuries and losses you suffered as a result of the accident. This should take into account both current and future expenses to provide a comprehensive calculation of your case’s value.
Possible Compensation for a Salt Lake City Premises Liability Case
If you have been injured on someone else’s property in Salt Lake City, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Potential damages in a premises liability case can vary depending on specific circumstances, but they generally include economic damages, non-economic damages, and possibly punitive damages.
The amount of compensation you may receive will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of damages, the degree of the property owner’s negligence, and if you have any comparative negligence involved.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are defined as losses directly tied to a financial amount, such as medical expenses, lost wages, damage to personal belongings, and lost earning potential.
Unlike non-economic damages, these are generally easy to back up with evidence as they often come with bills, invoices, and other paperwork showing the exact sum of your loss.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are also called pain and suffering and are for losses that are not directly associated with a monetary amount. These losses include physical pain, emotional turmoil, loss of enjoyment of life, anxiety, depression, and other psychological trauma associated with your accident.
With the help of a premises liability attorney in Salt Lake City, you can use several different ways to calculate your non-economic losses. Contact the offices of Siegfried & Jensen to discuss what your case could be worth.
Understanding Comparative Fault in Utah
Utah follows a comparative negligence system, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your own fault in the accident. This means that if you are deemed 10% negligible for your premises liability incident, your potential compensation will be reduced by that same percentage under Utah code §78B-5-818. However, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you may not be eligible for compensation at all.
Your attorney can help you determine the best approach to your case that will minimize any negligence on your part and establish a solid claim of liability for the property owner. Do not delay in getting started on your case. Review our common questions or contact us to get specific answers to any questions you may have about the unique circumstances of your case.
Injured in a Premises Liability Incident? Let Siegfried & Jensen Help
Slip and fall accidents can be painful and disruptive. At Siegfried & Jensen, our Salt Lake City slip and fall lawyers are here to provide you with compassionate legal guidance and support. Do not let the aftermath of a personal injury overwhelm you.
We offer free case consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not have to pay anything unless we successfully settle your case. Contact us to discuss your premises liability case today.