When you go to a restaurant, grocery store, shopping center, hotel, or another public area, the last thing on your mind is getting injured.
However, that happens to numerous people throughout Star Valley. In these unfortunate cases, there is often one apparent factor: the property owners didn’t maintain their premises.
If you get hurt on someone else’s property, you can demand compensation for your losses in a premises liability lawsuit. At Edwards Law Office, P.C., we will fight for the compensation that you deserve.
With a claim, you can hold these negligent property owners accountable. Contact our Etna premises liability lawyer to learn more about your legal options. Meeting with our attorneys for an initial consultation is always free.
What Is Premises Liability?
If you have been injured, you can generally file a claim against the responsible parties in Wyoming. In many premises liability cases, there is a focus on the concept of duty of care. This duty is the legal obligation that property owners have to maintain a safe environment for guests and visitors. In short, they must ensure that no hazards or other dangers can harm any guests.
To establish a premises liability claim, you will need to prove three elements:
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The property owner, manager, or other controller was negligent in their actions or inaction.
- That negligence can lead to your injury or property damage.
Common Reasons Our Clients File Sue Wyoming Property Owners
By failing to address potential hazards on a person’s property, a person could be injured. In turn, the liability is on the property owner. Some examples of premises liability include:
Dangerous Dogs
Property owners could be held liable if their pet attacks someone. In these cases, a failure to secure aggressive animals or provide adequate warnings to visitors about potential dangers can lead to incidents.
Poorly Maintained Swimming Pools
If a person has a swimming pool, they must adhere to certain safety standards. Slippery pool decks, drowning incidents, and inadequate fencing can lead to injuries. As a result, the owner is liable for any injuries, especially if they did not warn visitors of the potential dangers.
Hazardous Situations
In retail stores, falling merchandise, poorly stacked shelves, or tripping hazards can lead to injuries and legal claims. Even accidents in the parking lot or on the premises due to icy sidewalks, cluttered walkways, and wet floors can lead to a premises liability lawsuit.
Inadequate Security
Property owners must make sure that any visitors are safe, even from third parties. There is a liability issue if they do not provide proper security measures, such as sufficient lighting in a parking lot, and someone is injured or attacked.
Defective Conditions
These issues include poorly maintained structures, faulty equipment, or malfunctioning elevators. Property owners must either fix the issues or warn guests of the danger. These conditions all pose a risk to a visitor’s safety, which may lead to accidents or injuries.
Premises liability cases can be challenging to prove. For that reason, you will want to seek the advice of an experienced Etna premises liability lawyer. If you have been injured due to the unsafe conditions of another person’s property, you have legal options.
Common Injuries That Occur on Others’ Premises
Actions (or inaction) property owners take can lead to various types of injuries. If you have been involved in an accident, you might have experienced one or more of the following impairments:
- Brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Chemical burns
- Respiratory issues
- Back and neck trauma
- Bruises
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
If you have suffered any of the above, you have the right to pursue a legal case against the property owner. Contact a premises liability lawyer in Etna, WY to learn more about your right to take legal action to recover compensation for your losses.
Can You Get Compensation When Injuries Occur on Someone Else’s Premises?
Like any personal injury case, the type and amount of compensation can vary based on several factors. The severity of the injury plays a major role. More severe injuries may result in higher compensation since it has an increased impact on the victim’s life.
Many accident victims can recover:
- Medical expense reimbursement for treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages if the injury prevents the victim from working.
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional trauma that has reduced their quality of life.
Property damage compensation may also be provided if personal belongings, such as phones or laptops, were damaged during the incident.
The timeline is limited for making a legal claim. Under Wyoming’s statute of limitations, you have four years from the time of the accident.
While these are general types of compensation, not all will apply in your case. You will only know the full extent of your potential awards when you reach out to the legal team at Edwards Law Office, P.C.
We’re Ready To Assist With Your Case
Premises liability cases can be a tricky claim to navigate on your own. Allow the Edwards Law Office, P.C. team to work on your claim while focusing on your recovery. We’ll look at the evidence and help to hold those responsible individuals accountable for their actions.
If you would like to learn more about whether you have a valid claim, schedule a consultation with our Etna premises liability lawyer today.