When individuals are on someone else's property, whether for a visit, a meal at a restaurant, or shopping, they expect the premises to be maintained in a safe condition and to be made aware of any potential hazards. It is not uncommon to see yellow caution signs indicating a slippery surface, such as a "Wet Floor," which allows individuals to proceed with caution or avoid the area altogether. However, you can take legal action if these signs are not present and an individual unexpectedly slips and falls, resulting in a personal injury. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, as experienced Cincinnati premises liability lawyers, understand the importance of holding property owners accountable for their actions. They will assist individuals in seeking justice and obtaining compensation for injuries sustained in such accidents. The law firms conduct a thorough investigation to determine if a property defect caused the accident and if the property owner is liable for personal injury and damage.
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What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
When to Contact a Cincinnati Premises Liability Attorney
Premises liability laws typically involve filing a claim with the at-fault property owner's home or business insurance provider. However, it's essential to be aware that insurance companies are not necessarily on the victim's side, and their primary goal is to minimize the amount they have to pay out.
Their claims adjusters may try to undervalue the victim's damages and offer a settlement that is less than what their case is worth. To protect themself from these common tactics, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in unsafe premises cases.
How Dangerous Are the Premises Liability Injuries?
When a slip and fall accident occurs, it may be natural to want to get up and move on as if nothing has happened. However, it's essential to be aware that brushing off the incident and trying to act fine could be detrimental.
It may be embarrassing to have tripped or slipped, but it is crucial to prioritize health and well-being. Here are some of the possible serious injuries:
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Back injuries
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Brain injuries
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Broken bones
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Spinal Cord injuries
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Soft Tissue injuries
In an accident that results in injuries, it is vital to seek immediate medical attention if the injuries are severe. It is best to remain at the scene, call for help or have someone else call, and receive medical treatment to assess the extent of the injuries.
It is also essential to inform the person in charge of the accident and file a report, providing as much detail as possible while the incident is still fresh in mind. Taking pictures of the scene where the accident occurred can also be beneficial in capturing details that could show negligence as the cause of the injuries.
After receiving first aid treatment, scheduling an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible for a medical evaluation is crucial. This will aid in the recovery process and ensure that the injuries are on record. Failure to do so promptly could raise questions about the seriousness of the injuries and negatively impact any legal premises liability claim.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys know the importance of prioritizing health and taking the necessary steps to ensure they adequately document the injuries. They can assist in determining if a property defect caused the accident and if the property owner is liable for the injuries and damages and help the individual to seek their legal options.
Types of Property Visitors
Ohio property laws distinguish between three types of visitors, each of whom is owed different legal duties by property owners. These include:
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Invitees are individuals on the property for the owner's benefit, such as customers at a store or business. Owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, including taking steps to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition and warning of any known hazards.
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Licensees are individuals on the property with the owner's permission but not for the owner's benefit. They owe licensees a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect them from known hazards.
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Trespassers are individuals who are on the property without the owner's permission. Owners owe them the least duty of care and are not responsible for warning of hazards. However, they can't intentionally cause harm to a trespasser.
A Cincinnati Premises Liability lawyer from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can assist in determining the type of visitor and the level of duty of care that the property owner owed.
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What Kind of Accidents Can Happen on the Premises of the Property Owner?
Here are some of the most common accidents on the premises.
Wet or Slippery Surfaces
Wet or slippery surfaces, such as spilled liquids, icy sidewalks, and melted snow tracked into a building's entrance, can be a significant hazard and cause individuals to lose their balance and slip. These hazards can lead to severe injuries and can be grounds for a premises liability claim against the property owner.
Uneven Flooring
Uneven flooring can cause people to trip and lead to similar serious injuries to slips and falls. This can include uneven tiles, raised thresholds, or uneven pavement. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property safely and fixing any hazards that could cause personal injury.
Torn or Unanchored Carpet
A worn carpet or holes in it can be a tripping hazard. If the carpet is unanchored, it can shift while someone is walking on it and cause them to lose their balance.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting in hallways, parking lots, or other areas can make it difficult to see obstacles that could cause tripping. If someone is walking through a dimly lit hallway or poorly lit parking lot, they could walk into an object or trip on something they couldn’t see.
Debris in Walkways
When they fill the walkways with clutter, they become tripping hazards. If the mess is stacked up high, objects could fall and strike those underneath.
Exposed Wires
Exposed wires can create electrical problems and can be fire hazards. They could also cause electrocution.
Negligent Security or Broken Security Equipment
If someone is robbed or attacked on the premises, and there isn’t sufficient security equipment to help the victim or sufficient security measures such as posted guards or adequate lighting, the possessor may be liable for the victim’s serious injuries and damages in that case.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys understand that accidents caused by hazards can result in severe injuries that can be incapacitating. The company will provide a thorough investigation and understanding of each case's specific details and circumstances.
The attorneys will work to establish exactly what happened and why to determine if a property defect caused the accident and if the property owner is liable for serious injuries and damages.
If someone was involved in an accident on someone else's property, they could reach out to Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. They will provide the legal support and representation needed to ensure that victims are fairly compensated for any suffered injuries and damages sustained.
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
Ohio Premises Liability Lawyers and Laws for the Property Owners
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, as experienced Cincinnati premises liability lawyers, are well-versed in the laws that pertain to such premises liability case. They will thoroughly investigate whether the negligent property owner owed or violated laws and regulations.
When individuals have permission to be on the property, the owner is responsible for fixing any hazards or warning of potential dangers; even when the individual is trespassing, the property owner owes specific responsibilities.
According to Ohio Revised Code 2305.402, the possessor of the property is not obliged to owe a duty of care to a trespasser. However, they expect to refrain from reckless conduct that could cause personal injury, death, or other loss to the trespasser.
The possessor of the property can be liable for damages if they know the trespasser is in peril and fail to take ordinary care to prevent harm. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys will review the reasons for the individual's presence on the property and the events leading to the accident.
They will also investigate how the accident caused a personal injury and how it impacted the individual. With a comprehensive understanding of the situation, the law firm will fight for fair compensation on the individual's behalf.
Ohio Premises Liability Information Center
Types of Unsafe Premises Liability Cases
Unsafe premises accidents that could expose the owner to premises liability include:
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Slip and fall accidents
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Dog bite incidents
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Swimming pool accidents
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Elevator/escalator accidents
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Fire or flood incidents
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Negligent security cases
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Structural collapse incidents
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Falling object accidents
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Workplace accidents
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Snow and ice accidents
People can hold the property owners liable if the accident was a defect, hazard, or element unreasonably dangerous for visitors. Accidents that would not have occurred without the property defect may be grounds for a premises liability claim.
A Cincinnati premises liability attorney from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can assist in determining if a property defect caused the accident and if the property owner is liable for personal injury and damage.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Will Go to War for You
After an accident resulting from a premises liability, individuals may face injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about how to move forward. A Cincinnati premises liability lawyer from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys will help victims meet the challenges of such incidents.
They have personal injury attorneys that can help people in premises liability claims, are dedicated to holding the negligent party accountable for their actions, and seek compensation for sustained injuries and losses.
It is essential to contact the law firm as soon as possible, as there may be strict time limitations on when the premises liability claims can be filed, depending on the location of the accident. The attorneys at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys law office will guide people through the legal process and assist in moving forward from the incident so that they can focus on recovery.