Premises Liability Attorneys Imperial, MO
Imperial, MO Personal Injury Law Firm
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Imperial, MO Slip and Fall Attorneys
Premises liability attorneys in Imperial, MO. Property managers in Imperial, MO have a responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe for patrons. But too often, they neglect that duty, and good people are injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one was injured on public or private property, you need dedicated Imperial, MO premises liability attorneys to get you the full financial recovery 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 to see our clients get the justice and recognition they deserve. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a free 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 in their respective state.
The laws in each state tend to be comparable in regards to property ownership and management: A property owner has a responsibility to warn against or fix a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have been aware of through reasonable maintenance. If they don't, they are responsible for any injuries sustained as a result of the poorly maintained property.
The states are different in one very important aspect, related to the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Imperial, 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 a customer in a retail store or hotel guests. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, for example bike paths or a library. Property owners are liable for an invitee's injuries caused by dangers they knew about or should have known about.
- Licensees — A licensee is someone who is on the property with the owner's permission, but for personal, non-business reasons. a party guest, but the law might apply to someone who stopped into a store 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 knew about; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property without permission of the property owner. Because of that, they do not have the same rights as invitees and licensees, meaning they can't sue the property owner to get compensated for their injuries. There are two exceptions:
- According 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 misconduct." Meaning, if the owner created or maintained a hazardous condition because they wanted to injure a trespasser, they can still be held liable.
- 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, ladders or construction projects. In this instance, the child and their family can make a claim for compensation.
Do I Have a Premises Liability Claim in Imperial, MO?
With all personal injury claims, you must prove the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care — Did the property owner or manager have a duty to keep you from unreasonable hazards? The extent of the property owner's or manager's duty of care depends on what kind of visitor you are 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 neglect their duty, that constitutes a breach of that duty. That could mean not fixing a broken railing, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
- Causation — Did the dangerous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because you had inappropriate footwear for conditions, you may not be able to show that the property owner was negligent. Likewise, if you didn't observe an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, you might not be able to make a claim.
- Damages — In order to make a claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show financial harm, including lost wages and medical bills, to make a claim for how the injury impacted you physically and mentally. If you sustained a minor cut, but did not suffer any financial loss, you likely do not have enough to make a case.
Halvorsen Klote's Imperial, 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.
Most Common Premises Liability Lawsuit in Imperial, 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:
- Slippery floors
- Broken staircases, handrails or floors
- Ice or snow
- Loose wiring
- Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting
Negligent Security
These cases often arise in apartment buildings, offices 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 proper security could include security guards or requiring a keycard to enter the premises. Generally, negligent security claims occur after someone being injured due to a violent crime. While the police and criminal courts are responsible for convicting the offender, you'll usually need to take civil legal action – with the assistance of premises liable attorneys – against a property owner in order to get justice in the form of financial compensation.
Swimming Pool and Amusement Park Accidents
Swimming pool accidents usually happen to children. Drowning is the primary cause of death to children between one and four years old. Public swimming pools need to be properly supervised, and have strict measures to protect children from injuring themselves.
In 2016, over 30,000 people went to the emergency room 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 meet safety requirements. If you were injured because of their negligence, our Imperial, MO premises liability attorneys will hold them accountable.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Imperial, 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 Imperial, 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 doors or escape routes to leaving debris around heating units.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites need to be coned or roped off with sufficient 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 dangerous, you can hold the construction company responsible for premises liability.
Whatever the nature of your specific injuries, if you were injured because a property owner or manager was negligent, call Halvorsen Klote's Imperial, MO premises liability attorneys for the full financial recovery you're entitled to.
How Much Are My Imperial, MO Premises Liability Injuries Worth?
The damages you recover after a premises liability accident are meant to compensate you for the financial, physical and mental toll your injuries cause. With skilled Imperial, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure compensation:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning capacity if you can no longer make a living as you used to, or have to work less hours
- 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 skill and experience of your Imperial, MO premises liability attorneys.
The Role of Your Imperial, MO Premises Liability Attorneys
When it comes to pursuing a premises liability case, having a qualified lawyer on your side is paramount. As part of our legal representation, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the accident and come up with a legal strategy that gets you the best possible results
- Obtain evidence, including maintenance logs, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or video 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 keep you up-to-date on the status of your claim
- Handle all documentation and litigation so you can focus on healing
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Take the fight in front of a judge and jury 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 Imperial, 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
Call Halvorsen Klote's Imperial, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today
The thought of going up against a large corporation can be intimidating. But, if they or their policyholder caused you harm, nothing should be able to keep you from getting the financial recovery you are owed. We've committed our lives to offering injury victims the same excellent legal advocacy as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured on someone else's property in Imperial, 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.