Premises Liability Attorneys Jefferson City, MO
Jefferson City, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Case Evaluation | Jefferson City, MO Slip and Fall Law Firm
Premises liability attorneys in Jefferson City, MO. Property managers in Jefferson City, MO have an obligation to take reasonable precautions to prevent people who enter the premises from becoming hurt. But too often, they neglect that duty, and innocent people are injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one was injured on someone else's property, you need knowledgeable Jefferson City, MO premises liability attorneys to get you the maximum compensation you're entitled to. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are committed to leveling the playing field between large corporations and insurance companies and injury victims every day. 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 fill out our online form 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 their respective state.
The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has a duty to warn against or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have been aware of through reasonable care. If they don't, they can be held liable for any injuries suffered because of the dangerous condition.
The states are different in one key way, related to the duty of care owed to different types of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Jefferson City, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law distinguishes 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 someone watching a movie at a movie theater. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, such as recreational areas or a library. Property owners 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 the owner doesn't get any express benefit from their presence. This can mean a friend staying at your house, but the law might apply to someone who came into an establishment 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 had express knowledge of; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Because of that, they do not have the same rights as invitees and licensees, meaning they can't sue the property owner for a financial recovery. 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 responsible.
- Under the attractive nuisance theory, a child who is trespassing may be considered an invitee. An "attractive nuisance" is something present on the property that could be alluring to a child. Examples could be swimming pools, ladders or construction projects. If a child is injured by or because of an attractive nuisance, the child and their family can make a claim for compensation.
Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Jefferson City, MO
In any personal injury case, you must prove the following four elements in order to win a claim for negligence:
- 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 responsibility to keep you safe depends on what kind of visitor you are and your jurisdiction. Generally, anybody who is allowed to be on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they fail in their duty, that constitutes a breach of that obligation. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
- 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. Similarly, if you didn't see warning signs 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 show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show economic loss, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to make a claim for emotional distress and pain and suffering. If you sustained a few bumps and scrapes, but did not suffer any financial loss, you likely do not have enough to make a case.
Halvorsen Klote's Jefferson City, MO premises liability attorneys have taken on, proven and won these types of cases before. 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 for free today at 866-382-4167.
Most Common Premises Liability Claims in Jefferson City, 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 number one reason people need to lose days from work.
Slip and falls can be caused by:
- Wet or oily 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, 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 a doorman or requiring a keycard to enter the building. Typically, negligent security claims are filed after someone has been the victim of a crime. While the criminal justice system may secure a conviction of the offender, you'll usually need to take civil legal action – with the help 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 leading cause of death to children under the age of five. Public swimming pools must be properly supervised, and barriers and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.
In 2016, roughly 30,900 people went to the emergency room for injuries sustained at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, ride ejections, electrician structural issues. Amusement park owners must ensure that the rides are properly designed, maintained, inspected and repaired. If you were injured because of their negligence, our Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, 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 sprinkler systems.
Construction Accidents
Construction companies have a duty 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 hold the construction company liable for your injuries.
However you sustained your injuries, if you were injured because a property owner or manager did not keep their property safe, call Halvorsen Klote's Jefferson City, MO premises liability attorneys for the full financial recovery you're entitled to.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Jefferson City, MO Premises Liability Injuries?
The damages you recover after a premises liability accident are meant to compensate you for the financial, physical and emotional toll your accident caused. With experienced Jefferson City, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure a financial recovery:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning capacity if you can no longer work
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from medical appointments
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical impairment, scarring and loss of consortium
How much your premises liability claim is worth will be based on how serious your injuries are, how they have affected your life and the abilities of your Jefferson City, MO premises liability attorneys.
What Our Jefferson City, 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 logs, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or video footage
- Interview witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the dangerous condition
- Answer the phone when you call 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
- Represent you in court 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 Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today
The notion of going up against a powerful corporation can be intimidating. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you are entitled to full compensation. We've dedicated our lives to offering injury victims the same expert legal representation as the people who injured them. If you were injured because of a Jefferson City, MO property owner's negligence, 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.
