Legal statutes in Texas state that property owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of visitors to a reasonable extent. This is known as premises liability. If you are injured on public property, let a Dallas attorney help you.
Not all injuries sustained on a property will qualify for any type of compensation. Different duties are owed to a person in different situations. It is also based on what type of visitor ends up with an injury.
Visitors fall into three categories. These categories include an invitee, licensee, and trespasser. An invitee is a person who enters a property for some type of mutual benefit. An example would be a grocery shopper. This person benefits themselves and the owner by making a transaction. A licensee is someone who enters a property for the benefit of a visitor. This would be a friend visiting a friend’s home. A trespasser is someone who knowingly enters a property without legal right or permission.
A property owner is obligated to warn of dangerous conditions (also those previously known), and must refrain from hurting a visitor willfully, or through gross negligence. When warning of dangerous conditions, this is only a duty that is owed to an invitee. An example would be a slippery floor.
The duty to warn of danger that was prior knowledge is owed to licensees and invitees. If you go to someone’s home, and you fall in a hole they didn’t tell you about, they are liable for the damages.
You have a legal duty to refrain from willingly or negligently hurting visitors and trespassers. If you try to prevent a burglar by placing traps, and they get hurt, you will be liable.
There are many types of premises liability cases. These include but are not limited to slip and fall accidents, elevator accidents, falling down stairs, death or injury due to criminal activity, animal attacks, and more.
If you have been injured on a property, check with a Dallas personal injury attorney to find out what your rights are. You have a legal right to pursue for damages suffered. Attorneys who take these cases are very intent on listening to your story in order to help you out in any way that they can.
Premises injuries happen all the time. Many people are not sure of their rights. Some people blow it off as just being clumsy or not seeing a sign. Make sure to get a consultation from a Dallas attorney. Free consultations will help key you in on what to expect if you decide to pursue a case. If you get hurt, you have the right to be compensated. Many people are afraid of this. You are not abusing a privilege or going after people personally. You were hurt and you may have medical expenses and other aspects of your life that are up in the air due to injuries you received while on someone else’s property. It is ok to get what you are owed by law.
This article should not be construed as legal advice.
Dallas Attorney Kristopher Barber. Serving clients throughout the United States and Texas.