Premises Liability Attorneys Hannibal, MO

Hannibal, MO Personal Injury Law Firm

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Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Case Evaluation | Hannibal, MO Slip and Fall Attorneys

Premises liability attorneys in Hannibal, MO. Anyone who is in control of a property in Hannibal, MO has an obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries on the premises. But too often, they neglect that duty, and good people who did nothing wrong get hurt. When that happens, you need dedicated Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are devoted to offering injury victims the same high-quality legal advocacy 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. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

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 in each state.

The laws in each state tend to be comparable in regards to property ownership and management: 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 care. If they fail in that responsibility, they can be held liable for any injuries sustained because of the poorly maintained property.

The states are different in one very important aspect, and it concerns the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.

Types of Visitors in Hannibal, MO Premises Liability Cases

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

1. Invitees — A business invitee is someone whose presence on the property benefits the property owner or manager. This can include people dining at a restaurant or someone watching a movie at a movie theater. Invitees can also be considered people on property the public is allowed to be on, for example a park or a library. Property owners can be held accountable for an invitee's injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known about.
2. Licensees — A licensee is someone who has the permission of the property owner to be on the premises, 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 an establishment just to ask for directions. In Illinois, there is no legal distinction between invitees and licensees. In Missouri, property owners are only liable for dangers they had express knowledge of – not ones they "should have known about.
3. Trespassers — Trespassers are on the premises illegally. 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 two exceptions:
   1. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a property owner 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, they can still be held accountable.
   2. Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, a child who is trespassing may be considered an invitee. An "attractive nuisance" is something that is likely to attract children. 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 sue the property owner or manager for the child's injuries.

Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Hannibal, MO

With all personal injury claims, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence are present in your case:

1. Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to protect you from unreasonable dangers? The extent of the property owner's or manager's duty of care depends on what kind of visitor you are and your jurisdiction. Typically, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — If they neglect their duty, that constitutes a violation of that responsibility. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not roping off a section that has a dangerous condition.
3. Causation — Did the hazardous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because you had inappropriate footwear for conditions, you may not have a valid claim against the property owner. Similarly, if you didn't notice an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, you might not have a valid claim.
4. Damages — To have a valid claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show economic harm, including lost wages and medical expenses, to make a claim for emotional harm 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 Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys have proven numerous premises liability claims. If you want to discuss your 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.

Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Hannibal, MO

Slip and Falls

Falling is accounts for 33% of all nonfatal preventable injuries. Slip and falls account 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

Negligent Security

These cases often arise in apartment complexes, office buildings or hotels. The owners of these properties must take reasonable steps to ensure that dangerous people don't have access to the building, or certain areas of it. Examples of this could include security guards or needing a keycard to enter the property. Generally, inadequate security claims occur after someone being injured due to a violent crime. While the criminal justice system may secure a conviction of the offender, you'll usually need to file a civil lawsuit – 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 usually happen to children. Drowning is the primary 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, over 30,000 people sought emergency medical attention for injuries sustained at amusement parks. Negligence can include mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, malfunctioning seat belts, electrician poor designs. Amusement park owners must ensure that the rides are properly designed, maintained, inspected and repaired. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys will hold them accountable.

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 Hannibal, 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 leaving debris around heating units.

Construction Accidents

Construction companies have an obligation to keep their construction zones safe. If you were hurt 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 Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys for the best possible financial recovery you are owed.

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

The value of your claim depends on the financial, physical and emotional toll your injuries cause. With talented Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure a financial recovery:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages from time spent recovering
• Lost earning potential if you can no longer work
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from medical appointments
• Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent impairment, scarring and loss of consortium

How much your premises liability claim is worth will be based on the severity of your injuries, how they have affected your life and the abilities of your Hannibal, MO premises liability attorneys.

What Our Hannibal, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Do For You

Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, having a qualified lawyer on your side is crucial. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and come up with a legal strategy to prove negligence
• Gather evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or video footage
• Take depositions from witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the dangerous condition
• Answer the phone when you call 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 fight to trial if the other side will not be fair 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 Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today

The idea of going up against a large 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 are owed. We've committed our practice to offering the injured the same excellent legal advocacy as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured on someone else's property in Hannibal, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

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