Premises Liability Attorneys Florissant, MO
Florissant, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a No-risk, No-obligation Case Review | Florissant, MO Slip and Fall Attorneys
Premises liability attorneys in Florissant, MO. Anyone who owns or operates a property in Florissant, MO has a responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe for people who are legally on it. But too often, they fail in that responsibility, and innocent people are injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one was injured on public or private property, you need experienced Florissant, MO premises liability attorneys to get you the maximum compensation you are owed. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are dedicated to offering injury victims the same high-quality legal representation as large corporations and insurance companies. We take cases in both Missouri and Illinois, and fight hard to see our clients get the justice and recognition they deserve. Speak to our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free consultation.
What Are the Premises Liability Laws in Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri Revised Statute §537.348 and the Illinois Premises Liability Act stipulate the premises liability laws for both states.
The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has a responsibility to warn against or repair a "dangerous condition" they either were aware of or should have been aware of through reasonable maintenance. If they don't, they are responsible for any injuries sustained because of the dangerous condition.
The states are different in one very important way, and it concerns the duty of care owed to different types of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Florissant, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law differentiates between three types 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 include a customer in a retail store or residents in an apartment complex. Invitees can also be considered people on property the public is allowed to be on, such as a park or a library. Those in control of the property can be held accountable for an invitee's injuries caused by dangers 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. a party guest, but the law might apply to someone who stopped 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 dangers they knew about – not ones they "should have known about.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the premises without consent of the property owner. Therefore, they do not have the same protections as the first two categories, meaning they can't sue the property owner to get compensated for their injuries. There are a couple of exceptions:
- Pursuant to Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, property owners are not immune from liability if they 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 responsible.
- Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners might be liable if a child gets hurt while trespassing. An "attractive nuisance" is something present on the property that could be alluring to a child. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or power tools. In this instance, the family of the child may still sue the landowner for the child's injuries.
How Do I Prove a Premises Liability Claim in Florissant, MO?
With all personal injury claims, you must prove the following four elements in order to win a claim for negligence:
- Duty of care — Did the landowner have an obligation to prevent unreasonable risks of injury? The extent of the property owner's or manager's responsibility to keep you safe 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 responsibility, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not fixing a broken staircase, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
- Causation — Did the dangerous condition cause or contribute to your injuries? If you fell because somebody ran into you, you may not be able to show that the property owner was negligent. Similarly, if you didn't observe an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, the property owner may argue that your inattention caused your injuries, not the hazard.
- Damages — In order to make a claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show economic harm, including lost wages and medical expenses, to get compensation for how the injury impacted 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 likely do not have enough to make a case.
Halvorsen Klote's Florissant, 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 at no charge at 866-382-4167.
Most Common Premises Liability Claims in Florissant, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is the number one most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls are responsible for 12% of total falls that lead to emergency room visits, 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 complexes, offices or hotels. The owners of these properties must guard against potential criminal activity that may reasonable occur. Examples of proper security could include a doorman or requiring a keycard to enter the building. Typically, 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 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 primary cause of death to children between the ages of one and four. Public swimming pools must be properly supervised, and have strict measures to protect children from injuring themselves.
In 2016, more than 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, electric shocks structural issues. 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 Florissant, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and maximum compensation.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Florissant, 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 Florissant, 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 poor handling of flammabale materials to missing or broken smoke alarms.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites need to be secured with obvious warning signage. If you were hurt in a construction site accident in a slip and fall, car accident or by falling debris because the site was not properly secured, you can hold the construction company accountable for your injuries.
However you suffered your injuries, if you were injured on someone else's property or in a public space, call Halvorsen Klote's Florissant, MO premises liability attorneys for the full financial recovery you are owed.
What Compensation Can I Receive For My Florissant, MO Premises Liability Injuries?
How much your injuries worth depends on the financial, physical and mental toll your accident caused. With experienced Florissant, 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 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 Florissant, MO premises liability attorneys.
The Role of Your Florissant, MO Premises Liability Attorneys
When it comes to pursuing a premises liability case, the role of a lawyer is essential. Your Halvorsen Klote premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and develop a legal strategy to prove negligence
- Acquire evidence, including maintenance logs, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or surveillance footage
- Interview 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 the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on healing
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Take the fight to trial 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 Florissant, 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 Florissant, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now
The idea of having to fight back against a powerful corporation can be intimidating. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, nothing should be able to keep you from getting the financial recovery you deserve. We've committed our lives to helping the average person get the same high-quality legal representation as the people who injured them. If you were injured on someone else's property in Florissant, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a no-risk, no-obligation 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.