Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer

Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer

Were you injured on someone else’s property due to dangerous conditions? Under Pennsylvania law, property owners are liable for negligent property maintenance. An experienced Philadelphia premises liability lawyer at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. Call us at (215) 875-7030 to schedule a free consultation.

We opened our doors more than 30 years ago to help accident victims in Philadelphia, PA, recover fair compensation for their injuries. Because of our hard work, we’ve recovered over $50 million for our clients.

Let us take the lead and help you fight for what’s fair. Contact our law offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania today.

How Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Premises Liability Claim in Philadelphia

How Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC Can Help With Your Premises Liability Claim in Philadelphia

Our lawyers at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers have more than 80 years of experience fighting for clients like you. We know that you’re facing unexpected challenges after an injury. We’re here to fight for you.

Business and property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. That doesn’t mean they’ll be quick to step up and take responsibility after an accident. More likely, they’ll try to downplay your injuries–or even blame you for the accident.

It’s not always easy to prove that the property owner was negligent. A skilled Philadelphia personal injury lawyer can help.

When you hire us, you can count on our lawyers to:

  • Gather and analyze all relevant evidence
  • Consult respected experts as needed
  • Calculate the fair value of your injury claim
  • Handle all insurance communications and negotiations
  • Work tirelessly to maximize your compensation award

We’ve been recognized as leading trial lawyers by the Philadelphia Bar Association, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Super Lawyers. Most importantly, we’ve been recognized by our satisfied clients over the years.

Do you have questions about your legal rights? Call our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys to schedule a free case review today.

Overview of Pennsylvania Premises Liability Laws

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in safe condition. They can be held financially responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property.

This duty applies to all property owners. For example, you may have a valid premises liability claim if you were injured while visiting a:

  • Grocery store
  • Parking lot
  • Bar or restaurant
  • Nightclub
  • Shopping mall
  • Sports arena or entertainment venue
  • Public park
  • Business complex or office building
  • Friend’s house
  • Rental or apartment building

Owners aren’t strictly liable for all injuries that occur on their property. Instead, owners are liable when they’re negligent about maintaining their property, and someone is hurt because of it.

Do you have questions about your legal rights after an accident on someone else’s property? Call our team to schedule a free case review right away. We’d be happy to help you explore your legal options for recovering financial compensation.

What is My Philadelphia Premises Liability Claim Worth?

A number of factors are relevant in determining how much your personal injury claim is worth. There is no set amount that victims can recover. Typically, the value of your case will depend on the severity of your injuries.

Factors to consider include:

  • The cost of your medical treatment
  • The duration of your recovery
  • Whether you’ll be able to work during and after recovery
  • Any permanent impairments or disability
  • The impact on your quality of life

It’s also possible that you could be blamed for getting hurt. If you’re partly responsible, your compensation can be reduced under Pennsylvania state comparative negligence laws. If the insurance company can prove that you were at least 51% to blame, you could even lose your right to seek compensation entirely.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Philadelphia Premises Liability Case?

Pennsylvania personal injury laws provide compensation to cover a victim’s economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages compensate for your monetary losses and include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost earnings
  • Reduced future earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Property damage

Non-economic losses, while more difficult to value, are equally important. Some common examples of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical disfigurement or scarring
  • Anxiety, depression, or PTSD
  • Loss of consortium

If you lost a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for wrongful death. Damages may include funeral costs, loss of financial support, and more. 

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries

An injury can change your life for years to come, even if you’re expected to make a full recovery. You could suffer from chronic pain or have trouble participating in the activities you once enjoyed.

Our lawyers in Philadelphia are here to help you fight for the compensation you need. We regularly represent clients who have suffered:

If you were hurt, you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to act–and the clock is already ticking. Don’t hesitate to reach out for your free case evaluation today. 

We Handle All Types of Premises Liability Claims in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of premises liability claims in Philadelphia, including those involving:

Whether you slipped and fell in a parking lot or were attacked because of inadequate security, our lawyers are here to help. For more information, call to discuss your case today.

How Do I Prove a Premises Liability Case in Pennsylvania? 

To prove your premises liability claim, you’ll have to show that the owner was negligent. You’ll have to establish the four elements:

More specifically, in premises liability cases, you’ll have to prove:

  • The property owner owed you a legal duty of care
  • You were injured on the property because of hazardous conditions
  • The property owner knew about the danger (or reasonably should have known about it)
  • The owner failed to provide adequate warning or fix the dangerous condition within a reasonable amount of time
  • You sustained damages

There are many different types of evidence that can support your claim. Our Philadelphia premises liability attorneys will carefully investigate to locate the proof you need, which may include:

  • Video footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Previous injury or accident claims on the property
  • Evidence about prior criminal activity on the property or in the neighborhood
  • Inspection and maintenance reports
  • Records of past safety violations
  • Police and accident reports 

Importantly, we’ll look for evidence about how long the danger had existed. This evidence can help us prove the owner knew about the danger or reasonably should have known about it.

Often, premises liability claims depend upon the nature of the property owner’s legal duty of care.

Business Invitees

Property owners owe a heightened duty of care to business invitees, e.g., customers. Operating a business comes with added responsibilities. The owner is required to:

  • Fix any known dangers in a reasonable amount of time
  • Provide adequate warning while the danger exists
  • Regularly inspect the property to locate any hidden dangers

You’re classified as an invitee anytime you enter a business–whether it’s a grocery store, restaurant, or even a hotel. 

Licensees

You’re classified as a licensee when visiting someone else’s property for social reasons. Private property owners still owe you a duty of care. However, they aren’t required to inspect the property for hidden dangers. They must repair or warn you about any known risks.

Trespassers and the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine

Most of the time, property owners don’t owe a duty of care to trespassers. Trespassers enter the property without permission. 

An exception exists for children under the attractive nuisance doctrine. Unlike adults, kids aren’t always able to appreciate and avoid risks. The property owner is obligated to take reasonable precautions to keep wandering children safe from attractive nuisances on their property.

A swimming pool is a common example of a property feature that is an “attractive nuisance.”

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit After an Accident in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations in most personal injury cases is two years. In the state of Pennsylvania, accident victims are required to take legal action within two years of their injury–or risk losing their right to compensation.

Contact a Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you or a loved one injured because of dangerous property conditions? You may be entitled to compensation. A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact our team today to schedule your free initial consultation.