Premises Liability Lawyer
Under Arizona law, property owners generally have a duty to keep their premises safe and free from hazards that could injure visitors. If you are injured by a dangerous or defective condition on someone else’s property, you may be able to pursue compensation for the medical bills and other losses you face. An experienced Phoenix premises liability lawyer can help you understand your rights and seek the fair resolution you deserve.
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we understand the frustration and stress that can come with recovering from injuries caused by a property owner’s carelessness or recklessness. When you turn to our firm to help with your case, you can expect attentive service and strategic legal representation. From the very beginning, we will work to take the stress off you.
Reach out to our firm today for a free consultation with an experienced Phoenix premises liability lawyer. There is no charge for us to start work on your case. You only pay us if we recover money for you.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to a specific type of personal injury claim that arises when someone is injured by the conditions on another party’s property. The law generally requires that property owners keep their premises in a safe condition for all lawful visitors. In a premises liability claim, the owner of the property (and their insurance company) is held liable for the expenses and losses that arise from the visitor’s injuries.
What Do You Have to Prove in Your Personal Injury Claim?
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you must prove that you were injured by a dangerous or defective condition on someone else’s property while you were lawfully visiting the property. In addition, you must prove that:
- The condition that caused your injuries was either created by the property owner or the property owner had an obligation under the law to fix the condition or warn you of its presence.
- The property owner either knew of the condition or it existed long enough for the property owner to have discovered it and taken action.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we have extensive experience representing people who have been hurt in:At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we have extensive experience representing people who have been hurt in:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog attacks
- Incidents caused by negligent security
- Swimming pool accidents
- Sidewalk accidents
- Assaults
No matter how you were injured, if you believe the property owner is to blame, get legal advice as soon as possible. Time is limited for filing a premises liability claim. The sooner you take action, the better.
Legally Reviewed By:
Alex Silkman
Alex Silkman is the founder and managing member of Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. He focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases, with the goal of getting truly just results for accident victims and their families...
How Can a Phoenix Premises Liability Attorney Help?
Just because you were hurt on someone else’s property does not automatically entitle you to financial recovery in a premises liability claim. Instead, you must prove the property owner’s or other party’s liability under Arizona law. An experienced Phoenix premises liability attorney from our firm can help you protect your legal rights after an accident by:
- Investigating the accident, including recovering important evidence such as accident scene photos, surveillance video footage, or eyewitness statements
- Collaborating with accident reconstruction or engineering experts to review the evidence and determine how the accident occurred and who might be held responsible for your injuries
- Documenting your losses to ensure that we pursue fair and full compensation on your behalf
- Filing your claims for compensation with the property owner and other liable parties and their insurers, and vigorously pursuing maximum financial recovery for you in a negotiated settlement
- Pursuing your claims in court and taking your case to trial if necessary to leave no stone unturned in fighting for the maximum results you deserve
Demanding Full Compensation in a Civil Claims
After a serious accident, you may face major expenses and other losses as you struggle to recover. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we demand full compensation for our clients when they have suffered losses such as:
- Expenses for medical treatment and rehabilitation of injuries
- Expenses for home health services or long-term care of chronic or permanent injuries or disabilities
- Loss of income after missing time from work to recover from injuries
- Loss of earning capacity caused by permanent disabilities that impact the working ability
- Loss of quality of life because of disabilities or scarring/disfigurement
- Physical pain and emotional distress
Time Limit on Premises Liability Lawsuits in Arizona
The statute of limitations under Arizona law limits the time you have to file a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner or other potentially liable parties. Normally, you have only two years after being injured to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. If you wait too long to take action, you run the risk of your case being permanently dismissed by the court.
In addition, if your injuries occurred in an accident on public property, Arizona law requires you to provide notice of your premises liability claim to the relevant public agency within 180 days of the accident. Failing to give timely notice of your claim means you could lose your right to pursue compensation from the government
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt on Someone Else’s Property
After you have been hurt on somebody else’s property, take the following steps to protect your legal rights and options:
- If possible, take photos or video of the scene where you were injured, documenting details such as what condition of the property may have caused your injuries, the presence of any warning signs or other safety equipment, and the lighting or weather conditions (if relevant).
- Get examined by a doctor or other medical professional for any injuries that you sustained. Photograph any visible injuries. Remember to follow all treatment instructions that your providers give you.
- Preserve or photograph the clothing and footwear you were wearing at the time of the accident, in case the property owner or insurance company tries to argue that they contributed to your accident.
- Keep copies of all bills and invoices, along with your pay stubs or income statements if you suffer lost wages.
- Also keep a journal to document how your injuries negatively impact your enjoyment and quality of life.
- Set up a free consultation with a Phoenix premises liability lawyer to discuss your next steps for pursuing your legal claim.
Tips for Dealing with Insurance Companies After an Accident
When you have been injured in an accident on someone else’s property, you might be contacted by the property owner’s insurer soon afterward. Some tips and things to know when dealing with insurers after an accident include:
- Remember that the insurance company does not serve your interests. Even though an insurance adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, the adjuster is instead focused on minimizing the insurance company’s liability to you. This means you should always take care in what you say to the insurance company. Document any communications you have with an insurer.
- Avoid making any written or recorded statements. Anything you say could later be used to deny your claim or reduce your compensation. This includes any statements that might be construed as an admission of partial or complete responsibility for the accident, any accusations you make against other parties, or statements regarding your injuries and losses. Do not discuss your injuries with the insurance company. Instead, it is best to let your lawyer handle all communication.
- Never sign any documents presented to you by the insurance company without first having them reviewed by your attorney. No matter what an insurance adjuster tells you about any documents you are asked to sign, you may end up limiting or giving up important rights to recover compensation for your injuries.
You can best protect yourself by having a Phoenix premises liability lawyer communicate with the insurers on your behalf. Your attorney can look out for your best interests while providing the insurance company with the information it needs to process your claim.
