Premises Liability Attorneys Shrewsbury, MO
Shrewsbury, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a No-risk, No-obligation Consultation | Shrewsbury, MO Slip and Fall Law Firm
Premises liability attorneys in Shrewsbury, MO. Property managers in Shrewsbury, MO have an obligation to ensure their property is reasonably safe for patrons. But too often, they fail in that responsibility, and good people who did nothing wrong get hurt. If you or a loved one was injured on public or private property, you need experienced Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are dedicated 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 evaluation.
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 for both states.
The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has an obligation to inform people of or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have known of through reasonable care. If they don't, they are responsible for any injuries suffered as a result of the dangerous condition.
The states do differ in one key aspect, related to the duty of care owed to different types of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Shrewsbury, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law differentiates between invitees, licensees and trespassers:
- Invitees — A business invitee is someone whose presence on the property benefits the property owner or manager. This can be people dining at a restaurant or someone shopping in a grocery store. Invitees can also be considered people on property the public is allowed to be on, such as recreational areas 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 has the permission of the property owner to be on the premises, but the owner doesn't get any express benefit from their presence. These can be social guests, but the law might apply to someone who stopped into an establishment just to ask for directions. In Illinois, licensees have the same legal protections as invitees. In Missouri, property owners are only liable for dangers they knew about – not ones they "should have known about.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the premises illegally. Therefore, they do not have the same rights as people that are allowed to be there, meaning they can't sue the property owner to get compensated for their injuries. There are a couple of 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 conduct." 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 doctrine, 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, 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.
How Do I Prove a Premises Liability Claim in Shrewsbury, 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 protect you from unreasonable dangers? The degree of a landowner's duty of care depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and your jurisdiction. Generally, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they fail in their obligation, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not roping off a section that has a dangerous condition.
- Causation — Did the hazardous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because somebody ran into you, it's likely not the property owner's fault. Similarly, if you didn't observe an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, you might not have a valid claim.
- Damages — To have a valid claim, you need to show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show financial harm, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to get a financial recovery for emotional harm and pain and suffering. If you sustained a minor cut, but did not suffer any financial loss, you may not have a valid claim.
Halvorsen Klote's Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys have gotten great results for our clients in a variety of cases. 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 Shrewsbury, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is the number one most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls are responsible 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, office buildings or hotels. The owners of these properties must guard against potential criminal activity that may reasonable occur. Examples of this could include a doorman or requiring a keycard to enter the property. Generally, lawsuits for inadequate or negligent security 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 help 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 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 suffered at amusement parks. Negligence can include mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, ride ejections, electric shocks structural issues. Anybody who operates a theme park must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and maximum compensation.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, 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 a duty to keep their construction zones safe. If you were injured in a construction site accident in a slip and fall, car accident or by falling debris because the site was dangerous, you can make a claim against the construction company.
Whatever the nature of your specific injuries, if you were injured on someone else's property or in a public space, call Halvorsen Klote's Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys for the maximum financial recovery you are owed.
How Much Is My Shrewsbury, MO Premises Liability Claim Worth?
The value of your claim depends on the financial, physical and mental toll your accident caused. With knowledgeable Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure compensation:
- Medical expenses
- 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, mental anguish, permanent impairment, scarring and loss of consortium
How much your premises liability injuries are worth depends mostly on how serious your injuries are, how they have affected your life and the abilities of your Shrewsbury, MO premises liability attorneys.
How Shrewsbury, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Help
When it comes to pursuing a premises liability case, the role of a lawyer is paramount. As part of our legal services, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the accident and develop a legal strategy that gets you the most compensation possible
- Gather evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or surveillance footage
- Interview 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 documentation and litigation so you can focus on healing
- Negotiate the best possible settlement for you
- Represent you in court 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today
The thought of having to fight back against a large corporation can be intimidating. But, if they or their policyholder caused you harm, you deserve full compensation. We've dedicated our careers to offering the injured the same high-quality legal representation as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured on someone else's property in Shrewsbury, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free 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.
