Premises Liability

Property owners in Missouri and Illinois have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to fix dangerous conditions or warn guests about known hazards, serious injuries can happen. If you were hurt on another’s property, a St. Louis premises liability lawyer can explain your legal options.

You don’t have to handle the fight for compensation alone. The attorneys at DM Injury Law can protect your rights and pursue the accountability you need. Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Why Choose DM Injury Law for Your Premises Liability Claim

When you face an injury, choosing the right legal team makes a significant impact on your case. DM Injury Law has the resources and the dedication to manage your claim from start to finish. We focus on giving your case the individual attention it needs while you focus on your recovery.

Our Connection to St. Louis

We’re not just attorneys who practice in St. Louis, but part of this community. Our team understands the local landscape, from the bustling Citygarden to the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and the Central West End. 

We know the businesses along Gravois Avenue and the foot traffic patterns at Busch Stadium. Our local knowledge helps us investigate claims thoroughly and build strong cases for our clients.

A Record of Dedicated Advocacy

Our firm dedicates its practice to fighting for the injured. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, showing opposing parties that we’re serious. This rigorous preparation often puts our clients in a better position during settlement discussions. 

Here are a few of our successful case results for premises liability accidents:

• $3,400,000: Our client was shot in the knee in a pawn shop.
• $1,500,000: Our client was helping a neighbor on his farm when he was hit by a truck that rolled down a hill.
• $1,000,000: Our client suffered facial injuries and seizures after falling through the attic of a house.

No Upfront Costs

DM Injury Law manages personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. 

We cover all the upfront costs of building your case, from investigation to litigation, so you can access strong legal representation without any financial risk. 

Let a dedicated St. Louis premises liability lawyer handle the complexities for you. 

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Property Owner Responsibilities in St. Louis

Missouri and Illinois property owners must maintain a safe environment for people they invite onto their property. This duty applies to various types of properties and visitors. 

A business owner on Washington Avenue owes a high duty of care to customers. A homeowner in a Lafayette Square neighborhood owes a similar duty to their invited social guests. When property owners or managers neglect their duties, dangerous conditions can arise.

Things they must do include:

• Regular Inspections: A property owner must reasonably inspect their property to find any potential hazards.
• Prompt Repairs: Once a hazard is identified, the owner needs to repair the dangerous condition in a timely manner.
• Adequate Warnings: If a repair cannot happen immediately, the owner must provide clear warnings to alert visitors of the known danger.
• Sufficient Security: In areas known for criminal activity, property owners might have a duty to provide adequate lighting, locks, or security personnel.

The failure to take these basic steps often forms the basis of a premises liability claim. An experienced lawyer evaluates the specific facts of your case to determine how a property owner’s actions or inactions led to your injury. 

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Premises liability law covers a wide range of incidents beyond slip and fall accidents. A St. Louis premises liability lawyer from our team can assist with many types of injury claims. We represent clients injured in many different scenarios on commercial, residential, and public properties.

Our firm handles cases involving:

• Slip and Fall Accidents: These often occur due to wet floors, icy sidewalks near areas like Forest Park, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting.
• Negligent Security: Property owners may be responsible for injuries caused by criminal acts if they failed to provide reasonable security measures.
• Dog Bites: In Missouri and Illinois, dog owners can face strict liability for injuries their dogs cause.
• Elevator and Escalator Accidents: Poor maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that cause severe injuries in commercial buildings or shopping centers.

Other common claims involve swimming pool accidents, fires, or exposure to toxic substances. No matter the cause of your injury, our team can investigate the circumstances. We work to identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable for their negligence. 

What Constitutes a Dangerous Property Condition?

A dangerous condition is a hazard on a property that presents an unreasonable risk of harm. These dangers aren’t always obvious, and property owners have a legal obligation to correct or warn visitors about these risks. Identifying such a condition is a key part of any premises liability lawsuit.

Many factors can create a dangerous environment for visitors, including:

• Structural Hazards: An apartment building could have broken stairs or a missing handrail, which creates a significant fall risk for residents and guests.
• Aisle Obstructions: Grocery and retail stores must promptly clean up spilled liquids or remove merchandise left in the aisles.
• Poor Lighting: A commercial establishment may be liable for incidents that occur in poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, or walkways.
• Electrical Dangers: Property owners must repair exposed wiring and address other electrical hazards to prevent serious injuries.

An invisible hazard, such as a recently mopped floor without a “Wet Floor” sign, can be just as dangerous. A seasoned St. Louis premises liability lawyer knows how to investigate an incident scene, gather evidence to prove the existence of a hazardous condition, and link it directly to your injuries.

Proving Negligence in a Missouri Premises Liability Claim

To win a premises liability case, your attorney must show that the property owner was negligent. This legal concept involves proving several specific elements. Simply getting hurt on someone else’s property doesn’t automatically mean the owner is liable for your injuries.

Our legal team will work to establish the following:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner owed you a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment.
2. Breach of Duty: The owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition but failed to fix it or provide an adequate warning.
3. Causation: The property owner’s failure directly caused your injuries.
4. Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain.

Building a winning case requires robust evidence. This can include photographs of the hazard, incident reports, witness statements, and medical records. 

Our St. Louis premises liability attorneys know how to compile this evidence to construct a compelling argument on your behalf. 

Determining the Value of Your St. Louis Premises Liability Case

After an injury on someone else’s property, the value depends entirely on the unique facts of your case. An honest attorney cannot promise a specific outcome or amount. However, a qualified lawyer can assess the losses you have sustained to calculate a fair demand for compensation. 

We consider all the ways an injury has impacted your life, not just the immediate medical expenses, and evaluate different categories of damages to determine case value.

Common damages include:

• Medical Treatment: You may recover compensation for all medical care related to the injury, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and future rehabilitation costs.
• Lost Wages: The law allows you to seek reimbursement for the salary and wages you lost while you were unable to work during your recovery.
• Future Earning Potential: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your former job or limit your ability to earn a living, you may pursue damages for this loss of future income.
• Physical Pain: You may seek financial recovery for the physical pain, suffering, and discomfort your injuries have caused.
• Mental Anguish: A claim can address the significant emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression, that often results from a serious injury.
• Loss of Routine Life: Compensation may be available for the ways the injury has diminished your ability to participate in hobbies, social activities, and daily routines.

Our team at DM Injury Law will meticulously document your losses. We may consult with medical and financial professionals to accurately project the full impact of your injuries over your lifetime. This comprehensive approach helps us seek the maximum compensation possible for your situation.

5 Steps To Take After an Injury on Someone’s Property

The actions you take following an accident can protect both your health and your legal rights. Your first priority is always your well-being. Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are severe. Beyond getting medical care, other steps can help support a future legal claim.

You can take several steps from home to support your case:

Seek Legal Counsel: Your next move should be contacting a St. Louis premises liability lawyer. An attorney can offer guidance based on the specifics of your situation. Acting quickly helps your legal team build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

Create an Official Report: If you haven’t already done so, notify the property owner, manager, or landlord in writing about the specific details of your injury to create an official report.

Record Your Memories: Write down every detail you remember about the accident, including the date, time, what caused your fall, and any statements made by employees or witnesses.

Compile Witness Information: If anyone saw what happened, gather their names and phone numbers so your attorney has a list of people to contact.

Preserve Key Evidence: Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time of the incident in a safe place, without washing them.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online for a free consultation.

FAQ for St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Premises Liability Claim?

In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. In Illinois, however, victims only have two years to file a lawsuit. Failing to file your claim within this timeframe will likely result in the court dismissing your case permanently. 

This deadline highlights the importance of consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury.

What Should I Do if the Property Owner’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?

You should exercise caution when speaking to an insurance adjuster. The adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company’s interests by minimizing the value of your claim. You should avoid giving a recorded statement or signing any documents without first consulting with a lawyer.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

Missouri uses a comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, the court will reduce your total compensation award by your percentage of fault.

Illinois operates similarly, but has a 51% bar; if you’re found to be more than half at fault for the accident, then you cannot recover compensation.

How Can a St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer Help My Case?

A St. Louis premises liability lawyer can manage all aspects of your claim. They’ll investigate the incident, gather evidence, calculate your damages, negotiate with the insurance company, and represent you in court if necessary. 

Having an attorney handle the legal work allows you to concentrate on your recovery.

What if I Were Injured on Government Property in St. Louis?

Claims against government entities involve special rules and much shorter deadlines, a concept known as sovereign immunity. In some cases, you may need to provide a formal notice of your claim to the correct government agency soon after the injury occurs. 

Due to these complexities, you should contact a lawyer immediately if your injury occurred on public property.

Mike’s Got This!

You don’t have to face the consequences of a property owner’s negligence on your own. Let a St. Louis premises liability lawyer from DM Injury Law stand up for you. We’re ready to listen to your story and explain how we can help. 

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online for a free consultation.