Every owner, manager, or occupier of real property in Clear Lake City has an obligation to their visitors. This obligation varies in scope, but it generally requires the landowner to maintain safe conditions for those that enter. A property owner or manager that fails in this duty could be held responsible for any injuries that occur through a premises liability lawsuit.
Premises liability claims can involve a wide array of causes or injuries. From falls to suffocation, a simple trip to a store or someone’s house could turn into a dangerous situation. If you have been involved in one of these accidents, a Clear Lake City premises liability lawyer could help. When you work closely with a skilled injury attorney, you could pursue legal action against the property owner responsible for your injury.
Types of Premises Liability Claims
In general, a premises liability claim is any injury that occurs due to a dangerous hazard on another person’s property. A Clear Lake City resident could work with an attorney to bring a premises liability case if the property owner failed to address the hazard in a reasonable amount of time.
Slips, trips, and falls account for a large portion of premises liability claims. Whether on flat ground from a significant height, a fall can lead to devastating injuries. Many of these accidents occur due to loose flooring, poor lighting, or obscured hazards.
Structural defects are another common cause of these claims. Anything from defective roofing to broken stairs could cause an injury. Structural defects could also lead to exposure to hazardous items like fire or electrical current that could cause burn injuries.
In some cases, a plaintiff might have a claim against the landowner if they are the victim of violent crime. If the owner of the property in Clear Lake City knew of the specific risk of the crime occurring and did nothing, a plaintiff might be able to pursue legal action against them with the help of a premise’s liability attorney.
Classifying Visitors in Premises Liability Accidents
Recovering monetary damages from the property owner is not automatic following every injury. To be eligible for compensation in a premises liability claim, a Clear Lake City resident or their attorney must show that the property owner owed a duty of care that they failed to uphold. This area of the law is complex, as property owners and managers owe different duties to different types of visitors. There are three categories of visitors under the law: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees
Owed the highest duty, an invitee enters the property with the owner’s permission and for their benefit. Invitees are routinely business customers. The property owner must address hazards on their property before they can injure an invitee.
Licensees
Licensees also enter the property with permission, but property owners owe them a lower duty. This is because licensees enter the property for their own purposes. Social guests are the most common example. A property owner must make a licensee aware of potential hazards when they enter. They may not owe a duty to inspect the premises, however.
Trespassers
Trespassers differ from the other two classes, as they do not have the right to enter the premises. State law holds property owners to few duties regarding trespassers aside from prohibiting intentional harm.
Let a Clear Lake City Premises Liability Attorney Help
If you suffered injuries on the property of another individual or entity, you might have a legal claim against them. Success in this claim on your own can be challenging, but skilled legal counsel could help you obtain a favorable outcome. Contact us to speak with a Clear Lake City premises liability lawyer and get started with a free consultation.