Premises liability refers to the responsibility of property owners for injuries that occur while a visitor is on their land. State law imposes upon property owners certain responsibilities to protect their guests. When a landowner fails to properly protect visitors, he or she could be financially liable for the resulting injuries.

If you were harmed while on another person’s property, you may be entitled to financial compensation for those injuries and should seek a skilled injury attorney right away. A Louisa County premises liability lawyer could help you determine your right to compensation and seek money damages for your injuries.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

A premises liability lawsuit covers a wide variety of situations involving injuries that occur while on another’s property. While these injuries could occur nearly anywhere, certain types of locations are more common than others. These may include:

  • Hotels, spas, and resorts
  • Grocery stores
  • Big box stores
  • Public locations
  • Private homes
  • Restaurants
  • Parking garages

Aside from these particular locations, accidents could occur nearly anywhere. Slips, trips, and falls are particularly common and may occur any time a property owner is negligent in his or her care of the property.

Inadequate Security Lawsuits

Another form of premises liability lawsuit that is more unique concerns a lack of property security measures, resulting in the visitor’s injury. Certain businesses have to invest in proper security to protect workers, guests, and others. Failure to do so could result in financial liability for the business if its failures were the proximate cause of your harm.

Standards of Care in Premises Liability Cases

State law sets forth different standards of care for property owners depending on the legal status of the victim at the time of the injury. This area of law can be complex depending on the circumstances, but a skilled premises liability lawyer in Louisa County may help determine and prove your legal status.

Invitees

Invitees are invited into a private or commercial space, typically for mutually beneficial purposes. This is most common in the context of a guest to a business. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care, meaning property owners are required to warn of known, dangerous conditions and conduct reasonable inspections to help prevent injury.

Licensees

Licensees enter on a person’s property with permission, but typically for his or her own purpose rather than one that is mutually beneficial. Often applicable to social guests and door-to-door solicitors, a property owner owes a slightly lower duty of care to licensees. The property owner is still required to warn them of known dangers, but he or she is not necessarily required to conduct inspections to look for potential hazards.

Trespassers

A trespasser is someone who unlawfully enters another’s property and is owed very little duty of care. A property owner is only required to avoid intentionally harming a trespasser.

Statute of Limitations in Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability lawsuits are limited by a two-year statute of limitations period pursuant to Code of Virginia § 8.01-243. If you fail to file your case in time, it could be lost through this procedural limitation. To avoid this, you should reach out to a qualified Louisa County attorney promptly after your premises liability accident.

Consult a Premises Liability Attorney in Louisa County

Premises liability lawsuits may help compensate you after an injury on another person’s property. You may be entitled to money damages, but proving the case requires the work and detailed attention of a skilled attorney.

An experienced Louisa County premises liability lawyer could present your case and seek compensation on your behalf. Contact The Warren Firm today for help.