Premises Liability Attorneys Bonne Terre, MO
Bonne Terre, MO Personal Injury Law Firm
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Premises liability attorneys in Bonne Terre, MO. Property owners in Bonne Terre, MO have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent injuries on the premises. Unfortunately, a lot of times they fail in that responsibility, and good people are injured through the property owner's negligence. When that happens, you need knowledgeable Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are devoted to offering injury victims the same high-quality legal advocacy as large corporations and insurance companies. We fight for the injured in both Missouri and Illinois, and fight hard to see our clients get the justice and recognition they deserve. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or fill out our online form for a complimentary case review.
What Are the Premises Liability Laws in Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri Revised Statute §537.348 and the Illinois Premises Liability Act dictate the premises liability laws for both states.
Both states treat premises liability fairly similarly: A property owner has a responsibility to warn against or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have known of through reasonable prudence. If they neglect that obligation, they can be held liable for any injuries sustained because of the poorly maintained property.
The states are different in one key way, related to the duty of care property owners must give different kinds of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Bonne Terre, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law differentiates between three classes of visitors in premises liability claims:
- Invitees — A business invitee is someone whose presence on the property benefits the property owner or manager. This can be people dining at a restaurant or residents in an apartment complex. Invitees can also be considered people on property the public is allowed to be on, such as bike paths or a library. Those in control of the property are liable for an invitee's injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known about.
- Licensees — A licensee is someone who has the permission of the property owner to be on the premises, but there is no express financial benefit to either of them. This can mean a friend coming over for dinner, but the law might apply to someone who stopped into a store just to use the restroom. In Illinois, there is no legal distinction between invitees and licensees. In Missouri, property owners can only be held accountable for dangers they knew about; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Therefore, they do not have the same rights as invitees and licensees, meaning they can't make a claim for a financial recovery. There are two exceptions:
- According to Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a landowner can still owe compensation for a trespasser's injuries if the landowner acted with "willful and wanton conduct." Meaning, if the owner created or maintained a hazardous condition because they wanted trespassers to get hurt, they can still be held accountable.
- Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners may be liable if a child gets hurt while trespassing. An "attractive nuisance" is something that is likely to attract children. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or construction projects. In this instance, the family of the child may still sue the property owner or manager for the child's injuries.
Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Bonne Terre, MO
With all personal injury claims, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence apply to your injuries:
- Duty of care — Did the property owner or manager owe you a duty of care to keep you from unreasonable harm? The degree of a landowner's duty of care depends on what kind of visitor you are and what state you're in. Generally, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they neglect their duty, that constitutes a breach of that responsibility. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
- Causation — Did the hazardous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because you were running, you may not have a valid claim against the property owner. Similarly, if you didn't notice warning signs because you were looking at your phone, the property owner may argue that you were injured because you were distracted, not because of the dangerous condition.
- Damages — In order to make a claim, you have to show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show economic harm, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to make a claim for emotional distress and pain and suffering. If you sustained a minor cut, but didn't need medical attention or miss any time off work, you likely do not have enough to make a case.
Halvorsen Klote's Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys have proven numerous premises liability claims. If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, or have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, don't hesitate to speak to one of our attorneys for free today at 866-382-4167.
Most Common Premises Liability Claims in Bonne Terre, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is the number one most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls account for 12% of total falls that lead to emergency room visits, and are the number one reason people need to lose days from work.
Slip and falls can be caused by:
- Wet or oily floors
- Broken staircases, handrails or floors
- Ice or snow
- Loose cords
- Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting
Inadequate Security
Inadequate Security often occurs in apartment buildings, offices or hotels. The owners of these properties must guard against potential criminal activity that may reasonable occur. Examples of this could include a doorman or needing a keycard to enter the building. Generally, lawsuits for inadequate or negligent security occur after someone has been the victim of a crime. While the police and criminal courts are responsible for convicting the offender, you'll usually need to take civil legal action – with the aid of premises liable attorneys – against a property owner to be compensated financially for your injuries and emotional anguish.
Swimming Pool and Amusement Park Accidents
Swimming pool accidents usually happen to children. Drowning is the leading cause of fatalities in children under the age of five. Public swimming pools must be properly supervised, and fences and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.
In 2016, an estimated 30,900 people went to the emergency room for injuries sustained at amusement parks. Negligence can include mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, ride ejections, electrician poor designs. Anybody who is in control of a theme park must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If you were injured because of their negligence, our Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and maximum compensation.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
There are strict laws for smoke detectors and fire exits in public, private and business properties. Fires can cause terrible injuries and lifelong scarring, and even the inhalation of smoke can create substantial health risks. If a property owner did not adhere to local fire codes, your Bonne Terre, MO premises liability lawyers at Halvorsen Klote can hold them liable for any injuries you sustain. Liability can occur because of a variety of factors, from faulty wiring or gas leaks to leaving debris around heating units.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites need to be coned or roped off with sufficient warning signage. If you were injured in a construction site accident in a slip and fall, car accident or by falling debris because the site was dangerous, you can hold the construction company accountable for your injuries.
Whatever the nature of your specific injuries, if you were injured because a property owner or manager did not keep their property safe, call Halvorsen Klote's Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys for the best possible financial recovery you're entitled to.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Bonne Terre, MO Premises Liability Injuries?
How much your injuries worth depends on the financial, physical and emotional hardships your injuries cause. With knowledgeable Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential if your accident results in permanent disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as hiring household services for chores you can't do while you're injured
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent impairment, scarring and loss of consortium
How much your premises liability injuries are worth depends largely on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the abilities of your Bonne Terre, MO premises liability attorneys.
What Our Bonne Terre, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Do For You
Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, the role of a lawyer is essential. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and develop a legal strategy to prove negligence
- Obtain evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or video footage
- Interview witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the hazard
- Be available whenever you need us to be and keep you up-to-date on the status of your claim
- Handle all the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on your physical recovery
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Take the defendant to court if we cannot secure fair compensation in negotiations
Our compassionate and experienced attorneys will be by your side every step of the way, and will not stop until you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Other injury cases we take on in Bonne Terre, MO include:
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Reach Out to Halvorsen Klote's Bonne Terre, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now
The notion of going up against a powerful corporation can be daunting to many. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you deserve full compensation. We've dedicated our careers to offering injury victims the same high-quality legal advocacy as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured on someone else's property in Bonne Terre, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or fill out our online form for a complimentary case evaluation.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
