The team at Maison Law is here to help victims of injuries caused by negligent property care. If you or a loved one suffered injuries as a result of poor care or safety issues within the property, while a guest in someone’s home, when shopping at a grocery store or at the mall, or when staying in a hotel, get in touch with Maison Law to explore your options with a Lathrop premises liability lawyer. The consultation is free, but the value is priceless.
Do I Need a Lathrop Premises Liability Lawyer
While the scope of premises liability law is vast, injury victims need to understand that they are not legally required to hire a premises liability lawyer to move forward with a premises liability lawsuit. You have the right to seek justice and compensation when you are injured because of negligence, or in this case, someone being negligent in their duty of care. In addition, you have the right to engage the legal system in the matter without hiring legal representation. However, many Lathrop personal injury victims find that dividing their attention and energy between a lawsuit and their rehabilitation and recovery is too much to take on and succeed at both.
During your free consultation with a Maison Law Lathrop premises liability lawyer, you will receive a complete evaluation of the case and know immediately if you have grounds for a lawsuit. This information will allow you to begin planning and gathering all the facts needed to make a wise, well-informed choice about taking legal action. But also keep in mind that even after this meeting, you are never obligated to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, nor are you required to hire Maison Law if you move forward with the case. Our only motivation is ensuring that you understand your options and how our team is ready and willing to assist you if you decide that is the best solution for your immediate and long-term needs.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
At Maison Law, we work in a world of facts. And we are ready to share all the facts about handling your own premises liability case, hiring our firm to handle it, and the potential outcomes of these choices. For example, property owners must meet a defined level of care and safety for guests. There are certain damages that you can include in your lawsuit compensation demand. When a lawyer handles your premises liability case, it will likely result in a larger settlement or compensation award than if you handle the case on your own. Reach out to Maison Law today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about the possible resolutions when you move forward with a premises liability lawsuit for the injuries you suffered on another person’s property.
Calculating the Value of a Premises Liability Case in Lathrop
Premises liability law includes a wide array of accidents and injuries that can inflict harm on an unsuspecting and innocent victim. All of these incidents happen when the victim is on a property that is owned by another person or entity, meaning the location, kind of accident, and the injuries suffered by the victim can vary a great deal. But what is constant in all of these cases is that the victim of personal injuries caused by the failure to meet duty of care guidelines can seek economic and non-economic damages caused by the incident.
Working with your Maison Law premises liability lawyer, you will compile all of the economic damages that you have incurred because of the injury incident. These are the expenses and losses that clearly have a dollar value associated with them, and can include:
- All current medical expenses related to the care and rehabilitation of your injuries from the incident
- Any projected medical expenses for essential care or treatment of those injuries in the future
- The cost of therapy or counseling to treat any emotional harm from the incident such as anxiety, PTSD, or an inability to sleep
- Your lost income if the harm you suffered prevents you from working at your regular job until you are fully healed
- Future loss of income or earning potential if the injuries sustained resulted in permanent limitations or disabilities that will reduce your earning capability or career path in the future
- The cost of transportation to any essential medical appointments related to the injuries
The non-economic damages included in your claim are typically focused on items that have no specific monetary value but are important parts or aspects of your life. As you explore these damages, your Maison Law Lathrop premises liability lawyer will assist you in determining a fair and reasonable dollar value to assign to the losses that can include:
- Loss of or decrease in enjoyment of life and daily activities such as hobbies, participating in sports, or family activities
- Your pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium and marital contributions
- Emotional or psychological hardships such as anxiety, fear of leaving the house, or trouble sleeping
Premises Liability and the Statute of Limitations
Suffering injuries because of another person’s negligence can be very troubling. Many victims are unsure whether to proceed with legal action after such an event. However, it is critical to understand that after an incident governed by premises liability law, victims have only two years from the date of their injuries to have a lawsuit prepared and filed with the court. This time limit is strictly enforced, and once it expires, victims lose the right ever to pursue legal action related to that incident and the resulting injuries and losses.
Additionally, if the premises liability incident occurred at a location or venue owned by a government entity or agency, the time limit for victims to take action is severely reduced. These cases allow only six months from the date of the injuries to file the case with the court. If you were hurt at the Lathrop City Hall on Towne Centre Drive or the Sharpe Army Depot that the federal government owns, you have limited time to seek legal guidance and decide if you will pursue a premises liability lawsuit.
Common Lathrop Premises Liability Incidents
Because premises liability deals with lack of care and safety precautions on all types of properties, there are nearly infinite locations that could be the site of an incident related to lack of duty of care. In addition, the specific incident caused by the safety hazard can cover a long list of misfortunes that includes:
- Fire related injuries
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Electrical, chemical, or contact burns
- Injuries from falling objects
- Harm because of an elevator or escalator malfunction
- Swimming pool accidents
- Slip and fall or trip and fall hazards
- Dog bites or animal attacks
The location of a premises liability incident is literally any place that the victim might visit when they are away from home. The list includes places that everyone assumes are safe and hazard-free, such as:
- Hospitals
- Medical offices
- Libraries
- Schools
- Daycare facilities
- Senior centers
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Banks
- Farmers markets
- Movie theaters
- Concert halls
- Restaurants
- Coffee shops
- Taverns
- Entertainment venues
Assigning Liability for Your Injuries
If you slip and fall or are struck by a falling object while at a store, you might assume that the store owner is the liable party for this injury. However, in many cases, particularly those that occur in a commercial setting, the list of possible responsible parties can be lengthier than expected and include:
- The business owner
- The property owner
- The tenant of the property
- The property manager or property management company
- Contractors working in the space
- Maintenance staff or services
- Pet owners in the case of a bite or attack incident
Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability
What does duty of care mean?
In cases related to premises liability, duty of care is the legal requirement of the parties responsible for a property and its safe condition. It is basically taking the steps that the average prudent person would follow when a safety issue or hazard is discovered or reported to be on the property. When the liable parties fail to meet this minimum requirement for care, they can be deemed negligent in their duty of care.
How do you prove someone was negligent in their duty of care?
To prove a premises liability case related to duty of care and establish negligence on the part of the responsible party, Maison Law would need to:
- Establish that the person was legally responsible for the property
- Demonstrate that the person failed to meet prudent safety standards
- Illustrate the connection between the failure to meet duty of care and the resulting injuries
- Provide proof of damages as a result of the incident
When does premises liability NOT cover an injury victim?
Any person who is illegally on a property could be prevented from having protection under premises liability. For example, a person who is trespassing or has broken into a property could face difficulty in pursuing a premises liability case. These laws are typically said to protect all lawful guests or patrons on a property.
Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer in Lathrop
If you were hurt as a guest on a property and believe the space lacked proper care and safety, get in touch with Maison Law for a case evaluation and free consultation. Our team will explain the legal merit of the case and whether you can move forward with legal action. They will also offer your options and the potential outcomes for negotiations and a lawsuit to resolve the matter.
If you choose to hire Maison Law to represent you in this matter, our team will handle the case and never ask for any upfront fees or expenses. Our firm works on a contingency basis so you are never forced to cover legal services out of pocket. We get paid when the matter is resolved, and you have the settlement or compensation that includes funds to pay your legal expenses.
