Property owners, managers, and renters have a duty to make their property reasonably safe for residents, visitors, and others. If an injury occurs on the property due to negligent maintenance or a failure to warn visitors of a potential hazard, they can be liable for an injured party’s losses.
If you or a loved one were injured while on someone else’s property, you have the right to seek damages. The Ohio premises liability lawyers at Slater & Zurz LLP have over 100 years of collective experience handling premises liability and other personal injury cases. We know how to recover maximum compensation for victims injured through the negligence of others. Our firm works with some of the most widely respected premises liability accident experts. They provide an invaluable assessment and knowledgeable insight into even the most complicated cases to help us prove liability. We also work with a reputable team of medical and financial professionals to provide expert testimony into the nature and extent of our client’s injuries and an accurate assessment of their past and future losses.
Our attorneys are tenacious fighters who will do everything within our power to get you the compensation you are entitled to. Let us put our vast knowledge and steadfast commitment to justice to work for you. Call us today to get started.
Ohio Premises Liability Accidents and Injuries
Premises liability law addresses personal injury cases where the victim’s injury was caused by a dangerous or defective condition on someone else’s property. As with other personal injury cases, premises liability matters are based on negligence, which is the failure to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm or injury to others. In these cases, the property owner or tenant knew or should have known there was a hazardous condition on their property and failed to take the proper steps to remedy the situation, such as removing the hazardous condition or properly warning those on the property of its presence. Many types of incidents can lead to a premises liability case, including:
Swimming pool accidents – These accidents typically involve small children and unsecured pools. Under Ohio’s attractive nuisance doctrine, pool owners have a legal duty to keep their pool area safe from young children who don’t understand the risk of drowning. This includes preventing access to the pool by installing a secure fence.
Dog bites – If someone enters a property and is attacked or in any way injured by a dog, the animal’s owner, keeper, or harborer is liable for the injured party’s damages under Ohio’s strict liability law. This means an injured victim does not need to prove the owner was negligent in any way to receive compensation for their injuries.
Negligent or inadequate security – In this type of premises liability case, an injured victim seeks to hold the owner or tenant of a property liable for a crime that occurred on their property. These matters often involve assaults or other criminal acts on campuses, parking lots, and apartment buildings that occur due to inadequate security measures.
Fires – Homeowners and tenants sometimes fail to take the necessary measures to prevent fires, which all too often results in devastating consequences. Gas leaks, overloaded outlets, and faulty and exposed wiring can contribute to fires that result in catastrophic injuries.
Toxic chemical exposure – Businesses, such as restaurants, paint stores, car repair shops, and print shops can expose employees and customers to harmful chemicals. Toxic chemicals that can result in serious injury include carbon monoxide, chlorine, ammonia, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid.
Elevator or escalator accidents – According to the CDC, almost 17,000 people are injured in elevator and escalator accidents each year. These accidents are commonly caused by a lack of regular inspections, inadequate maintenance, and poorly designed or defective equipment.
Porch, balcony, or stair collapse – Porch, balcony, and stair accidents are especially dangerous due to the height from which people fall. Victims have little to no time to react, causing serious injuries, such as broken bones, neck and back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These accidents typically stem from improper inspection and maintenance, though they may also result from faulty design or poor construction.
Available Compensation in a Premises Liability Case
Whether you were injured in a slip and fall accident, a balcony collapse, or a swimming pool accident, you likely want to pursue compensation from the property owner or tenant through a premises liability action. Many injured victims know they can seek damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. However, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to additional compensation, such as:
- Costs for future medical care
- Lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation therapy
- In-home or long-term facility care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages (if a loved one died as a result of their injuries)
Steps to Take After a Premises Liability Accident
After sustaining injuries while on another person’s property, you are likely wondering what to do next. Below are some simple steps to protect your rights and maximize the value and success of a potential premises liability claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention – It is best to have a thorough medical examination following an accident to ensure your injuries are correctly diagnosed and effectively treated. Also, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all of your medical bills.
- Take pictures of the accident scene – If possible, take photos and video of where the accident occurred. It is also a good idea to write down what happened soon after the accident, so important facts won’t be forgotten.
- Report the accident – Depending on the circumstances, the accident should be reported to the proper authority, such as a store manager, landlord, property owner, or homeowner’s association.
- Speak to an experienced premises liability attorney right away – To ensure you take the proper steps when seeking damages from the responsible party, consult with an attorney with extensive insight into premises liability matters.
Fighting for the Rights of Premises Liability Accident Victims for Over 30 Years
If you were injured on someone else’s property, you shouldn’t be left to deal with the consequences of their negligent actions. Fortunately, you have the right to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and seek maximum financial recovery through an Ohio premises liability action.
The premises liability attorney you choose to represent you can make a substantial difference in maximizing the value and success of your claim. That is why it is absolutely crucial to select the right lawyer – one with the knowledge, resources, and determination to get you the justice you deserve.
Slater & Zurz is consistently ranked as one of Ohio’s leading premises liability and personal injury firms. We have had an astoundingly high success rate in our cases because we are passionate about fighting for maximum compensation for our injured clients. Our lawyers have dedicated their careers to being unwavering advocates for injured victims and will stop at nothing to get them the justice they need and deserve. We handle our premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay nothing up-front and will owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more about filing a premises liability claim, contact us at 888.534.4850 or online to arrange a FREE, confidential consultation with one of our qualified premises liability attorneys.