Premises Liability Attorneys Wright City, MO
Wright City, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a No-risk, No-obligation Case Evaluation | Wright City, MO Slip and Fall Lawyers
Premises liability attorneys in Wright City, MO. Anyone who owns or operates a property in Wright City, MO has a responsibility to take reasonable measures to prevent people who enter the premises from becoming hurt. But too often, they fail in that responsibility, and good people are injured through no fault of their own. When that happens, you need experienced Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are committed to offering injury victims the same high-quality legal advocacy as large corporations and insurance companies. 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. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or fill out our online form 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 in their respective state.
The laws in each state tend to be comparable in regards to property ownership and management: A property owner has a responsibility to inform people of or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have known of through reasonable diligence. If they don't, they are responsible for any injuries suffered as a result of the dangerous condition.
The states are different in one very important way, related to the duty of care owed to different categories of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Wright City, MO Premises Liability Cases
The law distinguishes 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 be a customer in a retail store or someone shopping in a grocery store. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, such as bike paths 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 is on the property with the owner's permission, but the owner doesn't get any express benefit from their presence. a party guest, but the law might apply to someone who came into an establishment just to use the restroom. 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.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Therefore, they do not have the same protections as the first two categories, meaning they can't make a claim for a financial recovery. There are a couple of exceptions:
- Pursuant to Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a landowner can still owe compensation for a trespasser's injuries if the landowner acted with "willful and wanton misconduct." Meaning, if the owner created or maintained a hazardous condition because they wanted trespassers to get hurt, 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 about the property that could make a child want to enter the property. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or construction projects. In this instance, the family of the child may still make a claim against the landowner for the child's injuries.
Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Wright City, MO
In any personal injury case, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence are present in your case:
- Duty of care — Did the property owner or manager have an obligation to keep you from unreasonable harm? The degree of the property owner's or manager's responsibility to keep you safe depends on what kind of visitor you are and your jurisdiction. Generally, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they neglect their duty, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
- Causation — Did the dangerous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because you were running, you may not have a valid claim against the property owner. Likewise, if you didn't observe 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.
- Damages — In order to make a claim, you have 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 likely do not have enough to make a case.
Halvorsen Klote's Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys have gotten great results for our clients in a variety of cases. 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.
Most Common Premises Liability Claims in Wright City, MO
Slip and Falls
Falling is accounts for a third of all nonfatal preventable injuries. Slip and falls are responsible for 12% of total falls that lead to emergency room visits, 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
Inadequate Security often arises in apartment complexes, 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 code to enter the building. Typically, inadequate security claims are filed after someone has been the victim of a crime. While the police and criminal courts are responsible for convicting the offender, you'll usually need to file a civil lawsuit – with the aid 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 fatalities in children between the ages of one and four. Public swimming pools need to have lifeguards, 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 suffered at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by 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 you were injured because of their negligence, our Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and a full financial recovery.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Wright City, MO laws are strict 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 Wright 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 blocked doors or escape routes to leaving debris around heating units.
Construction Accidents
Construction zones must 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 file a lawsuit 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 Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys for the maximum compensation you're entitled to.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Wright City, MO Premises Liability Injuries?
How much your injuries worth depends on the economic, physical and mental hardships your accident caused. With talented Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys, you cans secure a financial recovery:
- 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, disability, disfigurement 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 Wright City, MO premises liability attorneys.
What Our Wright City, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Can Do For You
When it comes to pursuing a premises liability case, the role of a lawyer is essential. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and come up with a legal strategy to prove negligence
- Gather evidence, including maintenance logs, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or video footage
- Interview 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 documentation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Take the fight in front of a judge and jury 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 Wright 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 Wright City, MO Premises Liability Attorneys Now
The thought of having to fight back against a powerful 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 the injured the same expert legal representation as the people who injured them. If you were injured because of a Wright 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.
