Premises Liability Attorneys Sullivan, MO | Personal Injury Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote

Sullivan, MO

Premises Liability Attorneys Sullivan, MO

Sullivan, MO Personal Injury Lawyers


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

Premises liability attorneys in Sullivan, MO. Anyone who is in control of a property in Sullivan, MO has a duty to ensure their property is reasonably safe for people who are legally on it. But too often, they fail in that responsibility, and good people are injured through the property owner's negligence. If you or a loved one was injured on public or private property, you need knowledgeable Sullivan, 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 so our clients can finally get a sense of justice and recognition. Speak to our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

Premises Liability Attorneys Sullivan, MO | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyer Near Sullivan

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.

Both states treat premises liability fairly similarly: A property owner has an obligation to inform people of or fix a "dangerous condition" they either were aware of or should have been aware of through reasonable care. If they don't, they can be held accountable for any injuries sustained as a result of the dangerous condition.

The states do differ in one key aspect, and it concerns the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.

Types of Visitors in Sullivan, MO Premises Liability Cases

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

  1. 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, for example recreational areas or a library. Property owners are liable 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 the owner doesn't get any express benefit from their presence. 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, licensees have the same legal protections as invitees. In Missouri, property owners are only liable for hazards they knew about – not ones they "should have known about.
  3. Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Because of that, they do not have the same protections as people that are allowed to be there, meaning they can't sue the property owner for a financial recovery. There are a couple of 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 intentionally created or allowed a danger to exist because they wanted trespassers to get hurt, the trespasser may be able to sue the owner.
    2. Under the attractive nuisance theory, property owners may be liable if a child gets hurt while trespassing. 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 old appliances. 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 Sullivan, MO

With all personal injury claims, you must prove the following four elements in order to win a claim for negligence:

  1. Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to prevent unreasonable risks of injury? The extent of a landowner's responsibility to keep you safe depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and what state you're in. Generally, anybody who is allowed to be on the property is owed a duty of care.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 notice an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, the property owner may argue that you were injured because you were distracted, not because of the dangerous condition.
  4. Damages — To have a valid claim, you need to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show economic loss, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to get a financial recovery for emotional harm 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 Sullivan, MO premises liability attorneys have gotten great results for our clients in a variety of cases. If you want to discuss your case, or have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, call one of our attorneys at no charge at 866-382-4167.

Premises Liability Attorneys Sullivan, MO | Personal Injury Law Firm | Slip and Fall Lawyer Near Sullivan

Types of Premises Liability Cases in Sullivan, MO

Slip and Falls

Falling is by far the most common nonfatal preventable injury. 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:

  • 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 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 requiring a keycard to enter the building. Typically, 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 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 are most common in children. Drowning is the primary cause of fatalities in children under the age of five. Public swimming pools must be properly supervised, and have strict measures to protect children from injuring themselves.

In 2016, more than 30,000 people went to the emergency room for injuries suffered at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, malfunctioning seat belts, electric shocks poor designs. Anybody who is in control of a theme park must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Sullivan, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and maximum compensation.

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 Sullivan, 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 zones need to be coned or roped off with sufficient warning signage. 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 hold the construction company responsible for premises liability.

However you sustained your injuries, if you were injured because a property owner or manager was negligent, call Halvorsen Klote's Sullivan, MO premises liability attorneys for the full financial recovery you are owed.

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

How much your injuries worth depends on the economic, physical and mental toll your accident caused. With talented Sullivan, MO premises liability attorneys, you'll be compensated for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages from time spent recovering
  • Lost earning potential if your accident results in permanent disability
  • 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, mental anguish, permanent impairment, scarring and loss of consortium

How much money you get in your premises liability settlement will be based on the severity of your injuries, how they have affected your life and the abilities of your Sullivan, MO premises liability attorneys.

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

Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, the role of a lawyer is essential. 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 most compensation possible
  • Gather evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or video footage
  • Interview witnesses, employees or others who may be familiar with the dangerous condition
  • Be available whenever you need us to be and answer any question you may have
  • Handle all documentation and litigation so you can focus on healing
  • 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 Sullivan, MO include:

Premises Liability Attorneys Sullivan, MO | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Attorney Near Sullivan

Speak to Halvorsen Klote's Sullivan, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now

The notion of going up against a large insurance company can be intimidating. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you deserve full compensation. We've dedicated our careers to offering injury victims the same expert legal representation as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured because of a Sullivan, MO property owner's carelessness, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a complimentary case evaluation.


Joel Halvorsen

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

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.