Premises Liability Lawyer Pennsylvania

When you visit a property—whether it’s a private home, a retail store, an office building, or a public space like a park or museum—you expect it to be safe. Property owners, both residential and commercial, have a legal responsibility to maintain a hazard-free environment for visitors. If a dangerous condition on someone else’s property causes you harm, you may have the right to seek compensation through a premises liability claim.

Injuries resulting from unsafe property conditions can be severe, leading to costly medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Whether you slipped on an unmarked wet floor, tripped on a crumbling staircase, or were harmed by poor lighting in a parking lot, you may be eligible to hold the negligent property owner accountable for their failure to maintain a safe space.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners responsible when hazardous conditions on their property cause injuries to lawful visitors. This legal principle applies to a wide range of locations, including:

• Sidewalks and driveways
• Private residences
• Restaurants, bars, and cafes
• Shopping malls and retail stores
• Hotels and resorts
• Office buildings and corporate centers
• Schools and college campuses
• Public parks and playgrounds
• Movie theaters, museums, and entertainment venues

If you were injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you may have a valid claim for compensation. However, proving liability can be challenging, especially if the property owner quickly fixes the hazardous condition after your accident.

Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents

Among the most frequent premises liability claims are slip and fall accidents, which occur when a person loses their footing due to unsafe walking conditions. While slippery or uneven surfaces are common culprits, many other hazards can also lead to serious injuries.

Hazardous Conditions That May Lead to Injury:

• Cracked or crumbling stairs – Unstable or broken steps can cause falls, especially when handrails are missing or loose.
• Wet or slippery floors – Spills, leaks, or recently mopped surfaces without warning signs can be extremely dangerous.
• Exposed electrical wiring – Loose or unprotected wires can create tripping hazards or even pose the risk of electrocution.
• Raised or uneven flooring – Sudden changes in floor levels can lead to missteps and falls.
• Falling debris – Unsecured objects, such as construction materials, ceiling tiles, or merchandise in retail stores, can cause head and body injuries.
• Blocked or obstructed pathways – Objects left in hallways or doorways can increase the risk of falls.
• Poorly lit areas – Dim lighting in stairwells, parking lots, or walkways can make it difficult to see and avoid potential hazards.

While property owners have a duty to address these dangers, many fail to do so, leading to preventable accidents.

Proving Liability in a Premises Liability Case

Although premises liability laws are designed to protect injured individuals, winning a claim can be complex. The burden of proof falls on the injured party, meaning you must demonstrate that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injury.

To establish a successful premises liability case, you must prove the following:

• The property owner had a duty of care – If you were lawfully on the property, the owner had a legal obligation to ensure your safety.
• The owner was aware (or should have been aware) of the hazard – You must show that the dangerous condition existed long enough that the owner reasonably should have fixed it.
• The hazard was not corrected or properly warned against – If a reasonable property owner would have fixed the problem or placed warning signs, but this did not happen, the owner may be considered negligent.
• The hazardous condition caused your injury – A direct connection must be established between the unsafe condition and the harm you suffered.

If the property owner was aware of the risk but failed to take appropriate action, they could be held liable for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How Visitor Status Affects Your Claim

Your visitor status—or your legal reason for being on the property—can also impact the strength of your claim. In general, visitors fall into three categories:

• Invitees – Individuals who are explicitly or implicitly invited onto the property for business or social reasons (e.g., customers in a store, guests in a hotel, or tenants in an apartment complex). Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must regularly inspect for hazards.
• Licensees – Visitors who enter a property for non-business purposes but still with permission (e.g., a social guest visiting a friend’s home). While property owners must warn licensees of known dangers, they are not necessarily required to inspect for unknown hazards.
• Trespassers – Those who enter a property without permission. In most cases, property owners are not liable for injuries suffered by trespassers, unless the owner willfully created a dangerous situation or if the trespasser is a child who wandered onto the property due to an attractive nuisance (e.g., an unfenced swimming pool).

The stronger your legal status as a visitor, the more likely you are to secure compensation for your injuries.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you were injured due to unsafe conditions on another person’s property, you may be eligible to recover damages, including:

• Medical expenses – Coverage for hospital bills, rehabilitation, medication, and future treatments.
• Lost wages – Compensation for time off work due to your injury.
• Pain and suffering – Monetary awards for physical pain and emotional distress.
• Disability and disfigurement – Compensation if your injury results in long-term impairment or scarring.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.

Each case is unique, and the amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and the extent of the property owner’s negligence.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

If you’ve suffered an injury on someone else’s property, it’s critical to work with an experienced premises liability attorney. Our legal team has the resources and expertise necessary to investigate your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

• Investigating the scene – Gathering photos, video footage, and witness testimony to establish liability.
• Consulting safety experts – Working with building inspectors, engineers, and medical professionals to strengthen your case.
• Handling negotiations – Dealing with insurance companies and defense attorneys to pursue maximum compensation.
• Representing you in court – If necessary, taking your case to trial to fight for your rights.

We understand the emotional and financial toll a serious injury can take on your life. That’s why we are committed to providing compassionate and aggressive representation to ensure you get the justice you deserve.

Get in Touch with a Premises Liability Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, don’t wait to take legal action. Premises liability claims have strict time limits, and evidence can disappear quickly. Contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation, and let us help you recover the compensation you need to move forward.