Premises Liability Attorneys Bowling Green, MO
Bowling Green, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Case Review | Bowling Green, MO Slip and Fall Law Firm
Premises liability attorneys in Bowling Green, MO. Anyone who is in control of a property in Bowling Green, MO has a responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe for people who are legally on it. Unfortunately, a lot of times they fail in that responsibility, and good people are injured through no fault of their own. When that happens, you need experienced Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are dedicated to offering injury victims the same excellent 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 no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.
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 in each state.
The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has a duty to inform people of or repair a "dangerous condition" they either were aware of or should have known of through reasonable prudence. If they neglect that obligation, they are responsible for any injuries sustained as a result of the dangerous condition.
The states are different in one very important aspect, and it concerns the duty of care property owners must give different kinds of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Bowling Green, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law differentiates between invitees, licensees and trespassers:
- Invitees — A business invitee is someone who is visiting the premises to benefit themselves and/or the proprietor. This can include a customer in a retail store or hotel guests. Invitees can also be considered people on property the public is allowed to be on, for example a park or a library. Those in control of the property can be held accountable 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. These can be social guests, but the law might apply to someone who came into a restaurant just to use the restroom. In Illinois, licensees have the same rights as invitees. In Missouri, property owners can only be held accountable for hazards they had express knowledge of – not ones they "should have known about.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property without consent of the property owner. Because of that, they do not have the same rights as people that are allowed to be there, meaning they can't sue the property owner for a financial recovery. There are a couple of exceptions:
- Pursuant to Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a landowner can still be liable 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, the trespasser may be able to sue the owner.
- Under the attractive nuisance principle, 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 power tools. If a child is injured by or because of an attractive nuisance, the child and their family can make a claim for compensation.
What Do I Need to File a Premises Liability Claim in Bowling Green, MO?
With all personal injury claims, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence are present in your case:
- Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to prevent unreasonable risks of injury? The extent of a landowner's duty of care depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and what state you're in. Typically, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they fail in their responsibility, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not roping off a area of the property that isn't safe.
- Causation — Did the dangerous condition cause or contribute to your injuries? If you fell because somebody ran into you, it's likely not the property owner's fault. Likewise, if you didn't notice warning signs because you weren't looking where you were going, the property owner may argue that your inattention caused your injuries, not the hazard.
- Damages — To have a valid claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show financial harm, including lost wages and medical bills, to get a financial recovery for how the injury affected you physically and emotionally. If you sustained a bruise, but didn't need medical attention or miss any time off work, you may not have a valid claim.
Halvorsen Klote's Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys have taken on, proven and won these types of cases before. If you want to see if you have a case, 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.
Types of Premises Liability Cases in Bowling Green, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is the number one most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls account for over one million emergency room visits a year, and are the primary cause of lost days from work.
Slip and falls can be caused by:
- Wet or oily floors
- Broken staircases, handrails or floors
- Ice or snow
- Loose wiring
- Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting
Inadequate Security
These cases often arise 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 security guards or requiring a code to enter the property. Generally, lawsuits for inadequate or negligent security occur after someone being injured due to a violent crime. While the police and criminal courts are responsible for convicting the offender, you'll typically need to file a civil lawsuit – with the help 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 primary cause of fatalities in children between the ages of one and four. Public swimming pools must have lifeguards, and have strict measures to protect children from injuring themselves.
In 2016, over 30,000 people sought emergency medical attention for injuries suffered at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, malfunctioning safety belts, electrician substandard designs. Anybody who is in control of a theme park must ensure that the rides are properly designed, maintained, inspected and repaired. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and a full financial recovery.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Bowling Green, MO laws are strict when it comes to fire codes for all types of 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 Bowling Green, 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 blocked exits to leaving debris around heating units.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites need to be secured with obvious 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 responsible for premises liability.
However you sustained your injuries, if you were injured because a property owner or manager was negligent, call Halvorsen Klote's Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys for the best possible compensation you're entitled to.
How Much Are My Bowling Green, MO Premises Liability Injuries Worth?
How much your injuries worth depends on the economic, physical and emotional toll your accident caused. With talented Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys, you'll be compensated for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your accident results in permanent disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from medical appointments
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, scarring and loss of consortium
How much money you get in your premises liability settlement will be based on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the skill and experience of your Bowling Green, MO premises liability attorneys.
What Our Bowling Green, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Do For You
When it comes to pursuing a premises liability case, the role of a lawyer is crucial. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the accident and come up with a legal strategy to prove negligence
- Acquire evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or surveillance footage
- Take depositions from witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the hazard
- Be available whenever you need us to be and answer any question you may have
- Handle all documentation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Take the fight in front of a judge and jury 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 Bowling Green, 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
Speak to Halvorsen Klote's Bowling Green, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today
The notion of going up against a large corporation can be daunting to many. But, if they or their policyholder injured you by their negligence, you deserve full compensation. We've dedicated our practice to helping the average person get the same excellent legal representation as the people who injured them. If you were injured on someone else's property in Bowling Green, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a complimentary case review.
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.
