When you enter a property—whether it’s a store, restaurant, office building, or someone’s home—you expect that the space is safe and free from hazards, right? Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions for anyone who lawfully enters their premises. However, accidents happen when property owners neglect their duty of care. If you’ve been injured in a premises liability accident in Urbana, Ohio, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact Kruger & Hodges, our experienced Urbana premises liability lawyers are dedicated to helping victims hold negligent property owners accountable and get you fair compensation for their injuries and damages.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the legal concept that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. In Ohio, property owners have to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable for injuries that result from dangerous or hazardous conditions.
Premises liability accidents can occur in a wide variety of settings, including:
Retail stores
Restaurants and cafes
Hotels and motels
Apartment complexes
Private homes
Parks and recreational areas
Parking lots and garages
Workplaces
Whether the accident occurs on commercial or residential property, victims may have the right to pursue compensation if the property owner’s negligence caused or contributed to their injuries.
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Urbana
Premises liability covers a broad range of accidents that can happen on someone else’s property. Some of the most common types of premises liability accidents in Urbana include:
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common premises liability claims. These accidents often occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, or icy sidewalks. Slip and fall injuries can be severe, especially for older adults, and can result in broken bones, head injuries, and back injuries.
Trip and Fall Accidents
Trip and fall accidents occur when a person trips over an object or hazard on the ground, such as debris, loose wires, uneven flooring, or poorly maintained steps. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, including fractures, sprains, and soft tissue damage.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
While many dog bites occur on public property, some happen on private property, such as a neighbor’s home. Ohio law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets, meaning that a property owner can be held accountable for a dog bite or animal attack that occurs on their property, even if the animal has no history of aggression.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Accidents in or around swimming pools can lead to drowning, slip and falls, or other serious injuries. Failing to maintain fences, gates, or provide proper supervision can result in liability for accidents.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators are often found in commercial buildings, such as malls, hotels, and office buildings. If these systems are not properly maintained or repaired, they can malfunction and cause serious accidents or fatalities. Property owners are responsible for ensuring that elevators and escalators are regularly inspected and safe for use.
Fires and Burn Injuries
Unsafe electrical wiring, lack of proper fire exits, or failure to maintain fire alarms and sprinkler systems can all contribute to premises liability accidents involving fires. Victims may suffer from severe burn injuries or smoke inhalation, which can lead to long-term physical and emotional trauma.
Injuries Resulting from Premises Liability Accidents
Believe it or not we can get injured with the force of our body weight. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the dangerous conditions involved, injuries may be minor or severe. Some of the most common injuries associated with premises liability cases include:
Broken bones and fractures: Slip and falls, trip and falls, and other accidents can cause broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, hips, and wrists.
Head and brain injuries: Falls or being struck by objects can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, or skull fractures, which may require extensive medical treatment.
Spinal cord injuries: Falls or other accidents can result in damage to the spinal cord, leading to partial or full paralysis, requiring long-term care. If a blunt object hits someone’s neck or spine, it can cause serious problems.
Burns: Fire, electrical accidents, or contact with hazardous chemicals can cause burn injuries, which may result in permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Soft tissue injuries: Strains, sprains, and tears in muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common in slip and fall or trip and fall accidents and can result in chronic pain and limited mobility.
Ohio Premises Liability Laws
In Ohio, premises liability cases are governed by the principle of negligence, meaning that a property owner must have failed to take reasonable steps to keep the property safe for visitors. To successfully pursue a premises liability claim, the injured party must prove that:
The property owner owed a duty of care: Property owners owe different levels of duty depending on the legal status of the visitor. For example, invitees (people invited onto the property for business purposes, like customers) are owed the highest level of care, while trespassers are owed the least.
The property owner breached their duty: This means that the owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain a safe environment, such as failing to repair a dangerous condition or failing to warn visitors about potential hazards.
The breach caused the injury: The injured party must demonstrate that the property owner’s failure to maintain a safe property directly caused their injuries.
The injury resulted in damages: This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the injury.
Compensation for Premises Liability Victims
You don’t have to minimize a ‘simple’ slip and fall because you can get injured and your daily life could be altered for a while. If you file an injury claim, you may get compensation for your injuries and losses. Our lawyers can help you get compensation for:
Medical expenses: This includes the cost of emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and future medical treatment related to your injury.
Lost wages: If your injury has prevented you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and loss of earning capacity if you are unable to return to work in the future.
Pain and suffering: Premises liability accidents can cause significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for pain and suffering addresses these non-economic damages.
Property damage: If personal property, such as clothing, glasses, medical devices, prosthetics, or other things, was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation to repair or replace these items.
Loss of consortium: In severe injury cases, spouses and family members may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, care, and support.
Why You Need a Premises Liability Lawyer in Urbana, Ohio
Premises liability cases can be complex, as they often involve proving that a property owner was aware of a dangerous condition but failed to take appropriate action. Insurance companies may attempt to downplay the property owner’s responsibility or shift the blame to the injured party. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Due to our extensive experience handling these types of cases, our Urbana premises liability lawyers at Kruger & Hodges know how to build a strong case on your behalf. We’ll make sure to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and work with experts to demonstrate that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. Then we will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or take your case to court if necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. No matter what is the path of action, our legal team is prepared to face any legal challenge.
Don’t wait to get legal help if you get injured due to a negligent property owner. Remember that premises liability cases can be complex and hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer can make all the difference. You can call our lawyer at Kruger & Hodges today for a free consultation. Our dedicated attorneys will guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve!
