Premises Liability Attorneys Centralia, MO | Personal Injury Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote

Centralia, MO

Premises Liability Attorneys Centralia, MO

Centralia, MO Personal Injury Law Firm


Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Centralia, MO Slip and Fall Law Firm

Premises liability attorneys in Centralia, MO. Property owners in Centralia, MO have an obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries on the premises. But too often, they fail in that responsibility, and innocent people who did nothing wrong get hurt. If you or a loved one was injured on public or private property, you need dedicated Centralia, MO premises liability attorneys to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are devoted to leveling the playing field between large corporations and insurance companies and everyday people every day. We fight for the injured in both Missouri and Illinois, and fight hard so our clients can finally get a sense of justice and recognition. Speak to our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.

Premises Liability Attorneys Centralia, MO | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyer Near Centralia

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.

The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has an obligation to inform people of or fix a "dangerous condition" they either were aware of or should have known of through reasonable care. If they neglect that responsibility, they are responsible for any injuries sustained because of the dangerous condition.

The states do differ in one key aspect, and it concerns the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.

Types of Visitors in Centralia, MO Premises Liability Cases

The law differentiates between three types of visitors in premises liability claims:

  1. Invitees — A business invitee is someone who is on the property to benefit themselves and/or the proprietor. This can include a customer in a retail store or someone watching a movie at a movie theater. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, such as bike paths or a library. Property owners are liable for an invitee's injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known about.
  2. Licensees — A licensee is someone who is on the property with the owner's consent, but to the benefit of either solely the licensee or neither of them. This can mean a family member coming over for dinner, but the law might apply to someone who came into a grocery 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 hazards they knew about – not ones they "should have known about.
  3. Trespassers — Trespassers are on the site without permission of the property owner. 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:
    1. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, property owners are not immune from liability if they acted with "willful and wanton misconduct." Meaning, if the owner created or maintained a hazardous condition because they wanted to injure a trespasser, they can still be held responsible.
    2. Under the attractive nuisance theory, a child who is trespassing may be considered an invitee. An "attractive nuisance" is something about the property that could make a child want to enter the property. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or old appliances. If a child is injured by or because of an attractive nuisance, the family of the child may still make a claim against the landowner for the child's injuries.

How Do I Prove a Premises Liability Claim in Centralia, MO?

With all personal injury claims, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence apply to your injuries:

  1. Duty of care — Did the property owner or manager owe you a duty of care to prevent unreasonable risks of injury? The degree of a landowner's duty of care depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and what state you're in. Generally, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
  2. Breach of duty — If they fail in their responsibility, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not repairing a broken staircase, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
  3. 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. Likewise, if you didn't see an obvious hazard because you were looking at your phone, you might not have a valid claim.
  4. Damages — In order to make a claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show economic loss, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to get a financial recovery for how the injury affected you physically and mentally. If you sustained a few bumps and scrapes, but didn't need medical attention or miss any time off work, you may not have a valid claim.

Halvorsen Klote's Centralia, 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, call one of our attorneys for free today at 866-382-4167.

Premises Liability Attorneys Centralia, MO | Personal Injury Law Firm | Slip and Fall Lawyer Near Centralia

Types of Premises Liability Cases in Centralia, MO

Slip and Falls

Falling is accounts for a third of all nonfatal preventable injuries. Slip and falls are responsible 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:

  • Slippery floors
  • Broken staircases, handrails or floors
  • Ice or snow
  • Loose cords
  • Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting

Negligent Security

These cases often arise in apartment buildings, office buildings 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 requiring a code to enter the premises. Typically, negligent security claims are filed after someone being injured due to a violent crime. While the criminal justice system may secure a conviction of the offender, you'll typically need to take civil legal action – with the assistance 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 are most common in children. Drowning is the primary cause of fatalities in children between the ages of one and four. Public swimming pools need to be properly supervised, and barriers 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 suffered at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, ride ejections, electric shocks structural issues. Amusement park owners must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Centralia, MO premises liability attorneys will hold them accountable.

Fire and Smoke Injuries

Local Centralia, 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 Centralia, 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 companies have an obligation to keep their construction zones safe. 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 file a lawsuit against the construction company.

However you suffered your injuries, if you were injured on someone else's property or in a public space, call Halvorsen Klote's Centralia, MO premises liability attorneys for the full compensation you are owed.

What Compensation Can I Receive For My Centralia, MO Premises Liability Injuries?

How much your injuries worth depends on the financial, physical and mental hardships your injuries cause. With experienced Centralia, MO premises liability attorneys, you'll be compensated for:

  • Medical expenses
  • 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, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement and loss of consortium

How much money you get in your premises liability settlement depends largely on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the abilities of your Centralia, MO premises liability attorneys.

The Role of Your Centralia, MO Premises Liability Attorneys

Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, the role of a lawyer is crucial. Your Halvorsen Klote premises liability attorneys will:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and develop a legal strategy that gets you the most compensation possible
  • Obtain evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or surveillance footage
  • Take depositions from witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the dangerous condition
  • 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 the best possible settlement for you
  • 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 Centralia, MO include:

Premises Liability Attorneys Centralia, MO | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Attorney Near Centralia

Reach Out to Halvorsen Klote's Centralia, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now

The notion of having to fight back against a large corporation can be intimidating. But, if they or their policyholder injured you by their negligence, nothing should be able to keep you from getting the financial recovery you deserve. We've devoted our practice to offering the injured the same expert legal advocacy as the people who injured them. If you were injured because of a Centralia, MO property owner's carelessness, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case review.


Joel Halvorsen

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

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.