Premises liability claims may be brought against property owners, landlords, easement holders, tenants, and others in charge of maintaining a property. If you have been injured while on someone else’s property, it is important to seek medical attention and file a claim as soon as possible. Our firm has guided countless clients to successful solutions. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries, and will help you pursue justice.
Premises liability claims may be caused by a variety of dangerous conditions on a property. These involve slippery or wet floors, loose floorboards, snow and ice on walkways, broken handrails, poor lighting, and other hazardous conditions. Furthermore, property owners may be held liable for injuries caused by unsupervised or poorly trained employees, and by criminal conduct from inadequate security. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is 2 years. Our team will help you file the documents in a timely manner to hold negligent property owners accountable.
In New Jersey, There Are 3 Classifications of Property Visitors
The state of New Jersey recognizes 3 kinds of visitors on a property, including:
- Invitees – visitors on a property for business or commercial reasons
- Licensees – visitors on a property for social or personal reasons
- Trespassers – visitors on a property with no permission or legal right to be there
Property owners owe the greatest duty of care to invitees. This means the owner must take utmost care to eliminate dangerous conditions on the property, or to at least warn invitees about dangerous conditions. Owners must also perform an inspection to identify and fix latent hazardous conditions on the property.
Licensees are owed a reasonable duty of care. This means property owners must get rid of dangerous conditions and provide adequate warning to help keep licensees safe. However, property owners do not need to conduct an inspection to discover and fix latent hazards.
Trespassers are owed a minimal duty of care. This means a property owner should provide adequate warning of man-made conditions on a property that could harm or kill a trespasser. However, trespassers will have a much harder time receiving compensation in a premises liability lawsuit than licensees and invitees.
In Order to Pursue a Premises Liability Claim, You Must Prove 4 Things
When filing a claim for premises liability, you will need to show that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty of care
- This breach of the duty of care caused your injuries
- You suffered actual damages as a result
Depending on the situation, you may be able to receive a settlement for a variety of injury-related expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages. You may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant acted with egregious or criminal behavior, or with gross disregard for human life.
Seek Justice with the Help of Our Woodbridge Premises Liability Attorneys
At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., we believe negligent property owners must be held accountable in court. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries while on someone else’s property, we will investigate the situation to gather evidence. Our Woodbridge premises liability lawyers have the experience to handle any legal issues that may arise. We will answer your questions and guide you through the New Jersey legal system as you seek justice from those responsible.
Ready to schedule a free consultation? Call us today at (732) 709-4400 to get started.