Douglasville Premises Liability Lawyer
Visitors on another person’s property have certain protections afforded to them under the law. Property owners have the legal obligation to maintain their premises so that it is free of hazardous conditions. Therefore, it follows that when an accident occurs on someone’s property that an injured visitor has the right to demand compensation for their losses.
However, the mere fact that an injury happens while visiting another’s property does not mean that the owner is liable. Depending on why a person was on the premises, whether they had permission to be there, and the actions taken by the owner to prevent the injury, many individuals may find that collecting compensation can be difficult.
A Douglasville premises liability lawyer could help hold a negligent landowner responsible for their actions if you sustained an injury while on their property. Additionally, a local personal injury attorney could explain your legal rights and options throughout the life of a case. En Español.
Classification of Visitors on a Property
Premises liability claims involve any injury that occurs while someone is visiting another party’s property. While proprietors typically have a duty to keep visitors safe, this obligation changes depending on someone’s purpose for entering the premises.
State law separates visitors into different categories. Establishing a plaintiff’s level of protection according to this system is an essential step in premises liability claims. A Douglasville premises liability attorney could help to provide more information about the classifications of visitors, and these may pertain to certain cases.
- Invitees: Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-3-1, an invitee is someone who enters a property for a business purpose. Landowners here must take reasonable precautions to keep their property free of dangerous conditions and to warn their visitors of any potential hazards.
- Licensees: According to C.G.A. §51-3-2, licensees have permission to enter land for a social purpose. Property owners who invite licensees onto their premises must avoid causing willful or wanton damage to guests.
- Trespassers: These individuals enter or remain on a property without the owner’s permission. According to C.G.A. §51-3-3, landowners must not cause intentional or wanton damage to trespassers, such as setting traps.
When is a Property Owner Liable?
Establishing a visitor’s legal rights is only the first step of a property liability claim. Plaintiffs also must be sure to document the cause of their injuries to prove the negligence of the defendant.
Sometimes, these injuries are the result of temporary hazards such as standing water or a loose handrailing. Other times, structural defects such as broken stairs or uneven flooring can lead to injuries. Property owners also may be liable for the actions of third parties if they do not take proper steps to protect visitors from criminal activity. Providing adequate lighting, hiring trained security staff, and having proper locks on doors may be necessary to prevent crime and injuries on someone’s property.
In general, a business landowner must take reasonable steps to prevent an injury. Whether or not their actions were reasonable is a matter for a jury to decide. A Douglasville lawyer could review a premises liability claim and determine if a proprietor beached their duty of care to keep a safe premises.
Contact a Douglasville Premises Liability Attorney
Accidents that occur while visiting someone’s property can create many complex legal questions. While a landowner has a legal duty to keep you safe, whether or not they violated this obligation depends on the specifics of the case.
These facts can combine to frustrate many unrepresented plaintiffs. Fortunately, a Douglasville premises liability lawyer could help. They could take the lead in every part of the claim from establishing your legal rights, to gathering evidence, and measuring your losses. Speak with an attorney at Hart & Hart to discuss your legal options.
