High Ridge Premises Liability Lawyer

Property owners are generally obligated to keep their premises safe for visitors. As such, any injuries that occur on someone’s private property may justify a legal claim. However, there are laws that dictate when a property owner can be held liable for an accident.

Our knowledgeable injury attorneys could explain these laws and help you determine whether you have a case. Get in touch with one of our High Ridge premises liability lawyers to learn more about your options.

Who May be Responsible for the Plaintiff’s Injuries?

In premises liability cases, the responsible party is usually the owner or manager of the property. These individuals or entities are responsible for keeping their properties safe for visitors and may be held liable if they fail to do so.

It is common for multiple parties to be liable for a single accident. Many properties are owned and maintained by more than one person or corporate entity. Each party may be partially responsible for the accident and any damages that stem from it. A skilled injury attorney could investigate a premises liability claim to determine who was at fault.

Legal Status and Impact on Property Owner Liability in High Ridge

The injured party’s visitor status is a key component in premises liability cases. This status determines what level of care the property owner owes to the visitor. Anyone who is unsure of their visitor status in a hazardous property case should speak with a well-versed lawyer.

Invitees

An invitee is expressly or implicitly invited onto a person’s property. This is most common with customers to a store or business, but can also apply to many other situations. Invitees are afforded a high duty of care, as property owners must inspect their premises for potential hazards and fix them to keep these visitors safe.

Licensees

Often referred to as social guests, licensees are on the property for purposes that do not benefit the owner. They are afforded a slightly lesser duty of care. While property owners must warn of potential dangers, they are not necessarily required to fix them.

Trespassers

Trespassers are not allowed on the property and are given very little duty of care to protect them. Property owners are prohibited from purposefully harming trespassers, but they are not required to prevent harm to intruders.

Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability claims are subject to a five-year statute of limitations according to Missouri Revised Statutes Section 56.120. It is important for plaintiffs to file their claims within this period, as the court may dismiss any claims filed after the deadline.

Additionally, the more recent the incident is, the fresher the evidence is likely to be. Proper physical and testimonial evidence is usually better preserved soon after the accident. For these reasons, it is best to seek legal counsel shortly after suffering an injury on private property.

Consult a Qualified High Ridge Premises Liability Attorney

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you should talk to an attorney as soon as you can. You might be able to recover significant compensation from the negligent property owner. Contact us today to meet with a High Ridge premises liability attorney and get started.