Find A Premises Liability Lawyer Near You (2025)

What Is Premises Liability?

When someone owns or is in control of a property, they have a responsibility to ensure that the property is safe for visitors. If they fail to fulfill that duty and a visitor is hurt as a result, they may be held liable.

The most commonly cited example of a premises liability case is the classic slip and fall: a grocery store fails to put out a wet floor sign or warn shoppers of a recent spill. If a shopper slips on the puddle, falls and is seriously hurt, the grocer may be legally liable for medical bills, other expenses and possibly the injured person’s pain and suffering.

When talking about defendants in premises liability lawsuits, many people just use the term “property owner.” However, technically speaking, the person who has control of the property at the time of the injury is most likely to be held responsible.

For example, imagine a grocery business rents a building. A shopper gets hurt because an employee didn’t label the wet floor. The grocery store doesn’t own the building, but because it was renting the property (and in control of it), the shopper would need to sue the grocery business — not the owner of the actual building.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me with My Premises Liability Case?

A premises liability lawyer fights for the rights of people who have suffered needless injuries due to property owner negligence.

Injured plaintiffs can schedule consultations with premises liability lawyers to assess their legal options and begin pursuing compensation. During this initial meeting, you can voice concerns, ask questions, and receive targeted guidance based on your unique circumstances.

Your premises liability lawyer may review your case and recommend various courses of action. One of the first steps will be to determine who might be liable for your injuries.

If your premises liability lawsuit seems viable, your lawyer can help you pursue legal action against a negligent property owner.

Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help Me Gather Evidence?

After your consultation, your premises liability attorney may investigate your case further and gather evidence on your behalf. You can help with this process by seeking immediate medical attention, as this will create medical records that document the extent of your injuries.

You might also collect pay stubs, tax returns, and other evidence of past income. These income documents can help your lawyer calculate the total value of your missed wages.

Your premises liability lawyer may then gather additional evidence, such as surveillance footage from the property, store policy documents, and anything else that might be useful.

Do I Have to Go to Court to Get Compensation for a Slip and Fall?

The majority of civil cases end with settlements, and most never go to trial. Premises liability lawsuits are no exception.

Most plaintiffs receive compensation after negotiations with defendants and their insurers.

Your premises liability lawyer can represent you during these negotiations, employing a range of strategies to maximize your settlement. A trial is only necessary if negotiations fail, which is a relatively rare occurrence.

When Should I Get Help from Premises Liability Lawyers?

You should speak with a premises liability lawyer if you were injured on someone else’s property.

This might include private businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, hardware stores, and pet stores. It might also include public government buildings, such as a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, passport office, or courthouse.

Injuries in both interior and exterior locations can lead to premises liability lawsuits. Examples include:

• Slips in grocery stores
• Burns in restaurants
• Falls on icy sidewalks outside private residences
• Electric shocks
• Elevator/escalator accidents
• Dog bites

How Much Can I Get for a Premises Liability Lawsuit?

Compensation for premises liability lawsuits depends on your damages. You can pursue compensation for both non-economic and economic damages after an injury on someone else’s property.

Economic damages represent your financial losses, including missed wages and medical expenses. Non-economic damages represent psychological losses, including emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Some of these injuries are more life-altering than others. Older adults are more vulnerable to falls — and these injuries can completely take away their sense of independence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many seniors find themselves bedridden, confined to wheelchairs, or stuck in nursing homes after serious falls. These life-altering consequences may increase a plaintiff’s total compensation.

Recoverable Damages in a Premises Liability Case

If you win your case, you may recover both economic damages and non-economic damages. These are broad terms that cover a whole host of specific losses like these:

Medical Costs

Even relatively minor injuries can prove to be expensive, and premises liability lawsuit settlements primarily cover injured people’s past, current and future medical costs.

Lost Income

If you are left unable to work while healing, you might be compensated for your lost wages as well. In some cases, injuries are so severe that the plaintiff in the case is left permanently disabled. If this happens, you might be able to recover compensation for your diminished earning capacity as well.

Property Damage

If you’ve just suffered a severe injury, replacing damaged property may not be a primary concern. However, if any property was damaged or destroyed, you could receive compensation. For instance, if your valuable phone was broken in a slip and fall incident, your settlement may include the cost of a replacement.

Pain and Suffering

“Pain and suffering” is a term often used to include intangible losses. These may include specific losses like physical pain, emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life.

How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer Specializing in Premises Liability Cases

Negligent property owners must be held accountable for allowing preventable injuries. If you were harmed as a result of property owner negligence, you are fully within your rights to take action.

This process may be easier than you realize, and you can get started today by contacting ConsumerShield. Thanks to a steadfast commitment to victims’ rights, we provide resources, education, and connections with experienced premises liability lawyers.

Reach out to ConsumerShield today. We’re ready to connect you with a qualified premises liability lawyer.