Premises Liability Attorneys Mexico, MO
Mexico, MO Personal Injury Law Firm
Call 866-382-4167 for a No-risk, No-obligation Consultation | Mexico, MO Slip and Fall Law Firm
Premises liability attorneys in Mexico, MO. Anyone who owns or operates a property in Mexico, MO has a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries on the premises. Unfortunately, a lot of times 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 Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are committed to offering injury victims the same excellent 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. 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 stipulate the premises liability laws for both states.
Both states treat premises liability almost equally: A property owner has a duty to inform people of or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have known of through reasonable maintenance. If they don't, they are responsible for any injuries sustained because of the poorly maintained property.
The states do differ in one very important way, and it concerns the duty of care property owners must give different kinds of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Mexico, 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 include people dining at a restaurant or residents in an apartment complex. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, such as a park or a library. Those in control of the property can be held accountable for an invitee's injuries caused by hazards 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 for personal, non-business reasons. These can be social guests, but the law might apply to someone who stopped into a grocery store just to use the restroom. 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; 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 people that are allowed to be there, meaning they can't make a claim to get compensated for their injuries. There are a couple of exceptions:
- 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 trespassers to get hurt, the trespasser may be able to sue the owner.
- 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, ladders or power tools. In this instance, the family of the child may still sue the landowner for the child's injuries.
Do I Have a Premises Liability Claim in Mexico, 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 landowner owe you a duty of care to keep you from unreasonable harm? The degree of the property owner's or manager's duty of care depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and what state you're in. Typically, anybody who is allowed to be on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they fail in their obligation, that constitutes a violation of that duty. That could mean not repairing 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 you were running, 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, you might not be able to make a claim.
- Damages — To have a valid claim, you have to show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show economic loss, including lost wages and medical expenses, to make a claim for emotional harm and pain and suffering. 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 Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys have taken on, proven and won these types of cases before. 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.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Mexico, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is by far the most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls account for over one million emergency room visits a year, 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 wiring
- Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting
Inadequate Security
Negligent Security often arises in apartment complexes, 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 adequate security could include a doorman or requiring a keycard to enter the premises. Generally, negligent 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 typically need to take civil legal action – 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 are most common in children. Drowning is the primary cause of fatalities in children between one and four years old. Public swimming pools need to be properly supervised, and fences and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.
In 2016, more than 30,000 people sought emergency medical attention for injuries sustained at amusement parks. Negligence can include 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 they didn't and you ended up injured, our Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys will hold them accountable.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Mexico, MO laws are stringent 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 Mexico, 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 a responsibility 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 not properly secured, you can hold the construction company accountable 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 Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys for the full compensation you're entitled to.
How Much Is My Mexico, MO Premises Liability Claim Worth?
The damages you recover after a premises liability accident are meant to compensate you for the economic, physical and mental toll your accident caused. With talented Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure a financial recovery:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential if you can no longer make a living as you used to, or have to work less hours
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as hiring household services for chores you can't do while you're injured
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical impairment, scarring and loss of consortium
How much your premises liability injuries are worth depends mostly on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the skill and experience of your Mexico, MO premises liability attorneys.
How Mexico, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Help
Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, 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 that gets you the most compensation possible
- Obtain evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or surveillance footage
- Take depositions from witnesses, employees or others who may be familiar with the hazard
- Answer the phone when you call and answer any question you may have
- Handle all the legal aspects of your claim 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 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 Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now
The thought of going up against a powerful 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 are owed. We've committed our lives to helping the average person get the same excellent legal advocacy as the people who injured them. If you were injured because of a Mexico, MO property owner's negligence, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a complimentary consultation.
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.