We all deserve to feel safe when we leave our homes, whether we are going to work, shopping, visiting a public park or pool, or simply going for a walk around the neighborhood. But when property owners and businesses don’t take their duty of care seriously, innocent people can get hurt.
Hotels may not provide adequate security, store owners may not take care of their grounds, and neighbors may not properly secure aggressive pets, for example.
What are your options if you have been injured in a situation like this? A Cheyenne premises liability lawyer can help you weigh your legal options, decide on a best course of action, and fight for whatever compensation you might be owed.
To learn more, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Olson Personal Injury Lawyers Cheyenne Branch. You can reach us by phone or you can reach out to us online.
Understanding Premises Liability
The basic idea of premises liability is that property owners and occupiers – whether it’s a private residence, a business, or a public space owned by the government – have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for any visitors, guests, and customers.
It’s up to them to watch out for any potential hazards on their property, warn about any hazards, and take protective steps to minimize the risk those hazards present.
If a property owner doesn’t take appropriate measures to look out for and address potential hazards and protect people they let onto their property, the owner can be held liable for their negligence when it results in injuries. This can give victims a way to recoup compensation for their losses.
How to Prove Property Owner Negligence
There are three core components to proving a property owner was negligent in a Cheyenne premises liability claim.
In order to successfully prove a premises liability claim, you must show:
- That you were on the property legally (with a narrow exception for children in some cases)
- That the property owner or manager owed you a duty of care while you were on the premises
- That any injuries you sustained were a direct result of the owner or manager’s negligence
To demonstrate fault in these situations, you may need to rely on photo or video surveillance records, expert testimony, and statements from anyone who might have witnessed the incident that led to your injury.
Property owners or managers also owe extra care in some specific circumstances. For instance, landlords can be held liable if they don’t take care of any defects in a building that leads to a tenant being injured. Along similar lines, property owners can also be held liable for not providing sufficient security on their land.
Common Causes of Accidents on Properties
There are many different ways in which the negligence of a property owner or occupier can lead to someone getting hurt.
A few common examples include:
- Ice, water, or other liquids on the floor – Failure to clean up slippery surfaces can easily lead to someone losing their balance and falling, which can cause all sorts of injuries from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and more.
- Sidewalk and parking lot defects – Ice or water on a sidewalk or in a parking lot can cause slip-and-falls, and poorly kept sidewalks can lead to people tripping or stumbling over an uneven surface.
- Lack of warning signs – Visitors may wander into unsafe areas if there isn’t proper signage to steer them away. Warning signs should also be put in place, for example, when floors have been mopped or when a dangerous condition cannot be immediately cleaned up.
- Broken locks or inadequate security – Subpar security measures can leave apartment tenants, hotel guests, bar patrons, and others vulnerable to physical assaults and other crimes.
These are just a handful of the many ways that property owner or occupier negligence can lead to someone being injured. If your situation doesn’t exactly line up with any of these scenarios, you should still speak with our attorneys. We can tell you if you could have a viable premises liability claim.
Common Types of Premises Liability Claims
There are about as many different types of premises liability claims as are there ways for these accidents to happen.
Typical examples of premises liability claims include:
- Slip-and-falls – A poorly maintained sidewalk or a spill on the floor can lead visitors to violently slip and fall to the ground. If you’re lucky, you might end up with “just” a sprain or a broken bone, but slip-and-falls can also lead to neck and spinal cord damage and even traumatic brain injuries.
- Dog bites – Pet owners are responsible for making sure their dogs are properly contained so that others aren’t injured. If they fail to do so, they could be held liable for negligence.
- Industrial accidents and chemical spills – Noxious fumes from chemical spills can cause serious injury or even death, depending on the chemical in question and how long the victim was exposed. Spills can also lead to slip-and-falls, and broken machinery can cause damage if something explodes or otherwise malfunctions.
- Fires, floods, and electrical equipment mishaps – Any of these situations can cause serious harm to many people, depending on the scope of the incident. It’s crucial that property owners protect visitors and guests from these kinds of dangers.
Contact Our Cheyenne Premises Liability Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, make sure you speak to a premises liability attorney as soon as possible. There’s a four-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Wyoming, and these cases take time to put together.
Your best bet for recovering compensation to pay your medical bills and other losses is to talk to a premises liability attorney from Olson Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible.
We’re prepared to fight aggressively on your behalf to seek full compensation for your injuries. Our firm is committed to pursuing every dollar our clients deserve. To get started, call our Cheyenne office today or reach out online for a free consultation. We look forward to working with you.