Were you hurt while visiting a Houston business or home? If your injuries resulted from the property owner or occupier’s failure to address potential hazards, you may have the right to compensation. Attorney Leroy Mitchell of Mitchell Law, PLLC has over 15 years of experience as a Houston premises liability that he can put to work on your behalf.
You can focus on healing while our firm manages your case and protects your rights, and you won’t owe us any attorney fees unless we win your case. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation and learn more about what you could be owed.
Why You Need a Houston Premises Liability Attorney
In order to win a premises liability case in Houston, you must prove that the business or property owner’s carelessness caused your injuries. Unfortunately, the person responsible for what happened is unlikely to simply admit liability for their actions. Instead, you’ll need strong evidence to support your claim, thorough documentation of your injuries, and a deep understanding of this area of the law to win your case. That’s exactly where a Houston premises liability attorney can help.
Your attorney can handle these tasks on your behalf, leaving you free to concentrate on what’s really important. Premises liability lawyers know the relevant laws and what evidence you need to make a compelling argument for compensation.
They can also communicate with the liable parties and their insurance providers for you, so that you aren’t exposed to the tricks they might play in order to undermine your case. Let a lawyer manage your case while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Houston Premises Liability Laws
“Premises liability” refers to a property owner or business’s legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors. If a visitor sustains an injury because a property owner or business didn’t uphold their obligation, they may be liable for the visitor’s injuries, lost income, and other losses. However, the level of care a property owner or business owes a visitor depends on the visitor’s status and the purpose of their visit. Visitors fall into one of three categories under Texas premises liability laws:
- Invitees – An invitee is someone who visits a property or business with the owner’s permission and has a commercial reason for their visit. For example, customers in a store or restaurant are invitees, as are contractors hired to make repairs at a business or residential property. Property owners and businesses owe invitees the highest level of care. They must warn invitees of known hazards and conduct regular checks to look for new dangers on the grounds.
- Licensees – Licensees are people who visit a business or property with the owner’s permission but don’t have a commercial purpose for their visit. A guest visiting a friend or family member’s home is a common example of a licensee. Businesses and property owners must warn licensees of known dangers but do not have to regularly inspect the premises for new hazards.
- Trespassers – Anyone who visits a property or business without the owner’s permission is a trespasser. In general, property owners and businesses owe no duty of care to trespassers. However, they may be liable if they intentionally injure a trespasser. Property owners may also be liable for injuries to children who trespass, as children don’t always recognize warning signs or understand the dangers of trespassers.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Incidents in Houston
Some common hazards that can cause premises liability incidents include:
- Wet floors – Broken pipes, spilled drinks, or freshly cleaned floors can cause visitors to slip and fall, potentially leading to head trauma or other severe injuries.
- Broken staircases – Busted railings, worn steps, or slip hazards on stairs can cause people to lose their balance and fall down stairs.
- Stray cords or other loose objects – Visitors can catch their feet on stray cords or other loose objects, leading them to lose their balance and fall.
- Electrical hazards – Poorly maintained or broken switches, sockets, and other electrical equipment can cause severe shocks when visitors touch or use them.
- Loose rugs or carpeting – Loose rugs or carpeting can shift when visitors step on them, potentially causing them to fall forward or tumble backward.
- Broken sidewalks or parking lot surfaces – Broken or uneven sidewalks and parking lot surfaces can cause people to stumble and fall.
- Poor lighting – Broken or burned-out lights can prevent people from seeing objects or other hazards in their way, which can lead to severe accidents.
- Swimming pools – Children can drown in unsecured or unguarded swimming pools, making the owner liable even if the child was trespassing. Wet surfaces near swimming pools can also cause slip-and-fall accidents.
Common Places We Premises Liability Incidents Occur
Unlike many types of personal injury incidents, premises liability accidents can happen almost anywhere, including:
- Grocery stores
- Walmarts and other “big box” stores
- Bars and restaurants
- Office buildings
- Public parks
- Parking lots and garages
- Amusement parking
- Public pools
- Sports venues
- Schools
Compensation in Houston Premises Liability Claims
The compensation you can recover in a premises liability claim depends on your injuries, lost income, medical expenses, and other factors. With proper legal support and strong evidence to support your claim, your compensation could include money for:
- Lost income while you heal
- Reduced future earnings due to your injuries
- Current and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability
Deadline to File a Houston Premises Liability Lawsuit
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit. That sounds like a long time, but these cases take time to build. Contact a lawyer right away so they can gather and preserve critical evidence before it disappears or deteriorates.
Contact a Houston Premises Liability Lawyer Now
Mitchell Law, PLLC can provide the skilled representation you need to recover fair compensation after a premises liability accident. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.