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

Wellsville, MO

Premises Liability Attorneys Wellsville, MO

Wellsville, MO Personal Injury Lawyers


Call 866-382-4167 for a Complimentary Case Review | Wellsville, MO Slip and Fall Lawyers

Premises liability attorneys in Wellsville, MO. Property managers in Wellsville, MO have an obligation to ensure their property is reasonably safe for people who are legally on it. Unfortunately, a lot of times they neglect that duty, and innocent people are injured through the property owner's negligence. When that happens, you need dedicated Wellsville, 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 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. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

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

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 responsibility to warn against or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have known of through reasonable maintenance. If they neglect that responsibility, they are responsible for any injuries suffered because of the dangerous condition.

The states are different in one key aspect, related to the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.

Types of Visitors in Wellsville, MO Premises Liability Cases

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

  1. 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 someone watching a movie at a movie theater. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, such as bike paths or a library. Property owners can be held accountable for an invitee's injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known about.
  2. Licensees — A licensee is someone who is on the property with the owner's consent, 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 a restaurant 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 had express knowledge of; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
  3. Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property without permission of the property owner. Therefore, 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 a couple of exceptions:
    1. According to 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 be there because they wanted trespassers to get hurt, the trespasser may be able to sue the owner.
    2. Under the attractive nuisance theory, a child who is trespassing may be considered an invitee. An "attractive nuisance" is something that is likely to attract children. 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.

How Do I Prove a Premises Liability Claim in Wellsville, MO?

In any personal injury case, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence are present in your case:

  1. Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to prevent unreasonable risks of injury? The degree of a landowner's duty of care depends on what kind of visitor you are 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 neglect their duty, that constitutes a violation of that responsibility. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
  3. 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. Likewise, if you didn't notice warning signs 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 hazard.
  4. Damages — In order to make a claim, you need to show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show financial harm, including lost wages and medical bills, to make a claim for how the injury affected you physically and mentally. If you sustained a minor cut, 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 Wellsville, MO premises liability attorneys have proven numerous premises liability claims. If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, or have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, don't hesitate to speak to one of our attorneys at no charge at 866-382-4167.

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

Most Common Premises Liability Claims in Wellsville, MO

Slip and Falls

Falling is by far the most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls are responsible 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:

  • Wet or oily floors
  • Broken staircases, handrails or floors
  • Ice or snow
  • Loose wiring
  • Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting

Negligent Security

These cases often arise in apartment complexes, offices or hotels. The owners of these properties must guard against potential criminal activity that may reasonable occur. Examples of proper security could include a doorman or needing a keycard to enter the premises. Typically, lawsuits for inadequate or negligent security are filed 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 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 death to children between one and four years old. Public swimming pools must have lifeguards, and barriers and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.

In 2016, over 30,000 people went to the emergency room for injuries suffered at amusement parks. Negligence can include mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, malfunctioning safety belts, electric shocks structural issues. Amusement park owners must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If they didn't and you ended up injured, our Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, 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 missing or broken sprinkler systems.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites must be secured with obvious 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 your injuries.

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 Wellsville, MO premises liability attorneys for the maximum compensation you're entitled to.

How Much Is My Wellsville, MO Premises Liability Claim Worth?

The value of your claim depends on the financial, physical and mental toll your injuries cause. With experienced Wellsville, 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 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, mental anguish, permanent impairment, disfigurement and loss of consortium

How much your premises liability injuries are worth will be based on how serious your injuries are, the impact they've had on your life and the abilities of your Wellsville, MO premises liability attorneys.

What Our Wellsville, 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 develop a legal strategy to prove negligence
  • Obtain evidence, including maintenance reports, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or surveillance 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 the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on your physical recovery
  • 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 Wellsville, MO include:

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

Call Halvorsen Klote's Wellsville, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Today

The thought of going up against a large corporation can be intimidating. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, nothing should be able to keep you from getting the financial recovery you deserve. We've dedicated our practice 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 Wellsville, MO, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation 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.