Waterbury Premises Liability Attorney
Serving Clients Throughout Connecticut
When property owners fail to provide a safe environment for those who come to their property, accidents and terrible injuries can occur. Premises liability laws exist to protect those who are injured on another’s property. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, you should get in touch with an experienced premises liability lawyer from the Law Offices of James A. Welcome to see if you are eligible to pursue a personal injury claim. Call (203) 753-7300.
Why You Need a Waterbury Premises Liability Lawyer
A premises liability lawyer can complete many tasks for you so that you can spend your time receiving medical care and focusing on your recovery. A Waterbury premises liability lawyer has experience dealing with insurance companies and protecting clients from the tactics that insurance providers use to devalue claims.
If you are seriously injured and too stressed to conduct legal negotiations on your own, an attorney can be your advocate. A lawyer will understand the legal process and be able to hire experts to explain the mechanism of your injury to a jury. Your Waterbury premises liability lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf.
Types & Causes of Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability accidents take many forms and it’s impossible to tell if the property owner can be held liable without hearing the specifics of a case.
Common causes of premises liability accidents include the following:
- Slippery floors or unsafe walking surfaces
- Negligent security
- Pool accidents
- Dog bites
- Poor maintenance
If you were injured in any type of accident while on someone else’s property, contact a Waterbury premises liability attorney to find out if you have a case.
The Duty of a Property Owner in Connecticut
The extent to which a property owner might be held liable for your injuries depends in part on what kind of visitor you were. Property owners in Connecticut owe different levels of care to visitors depending on the person’s status as a visitor.
There are three different visitor classifications in premises liability law:
- A property owner owes the highest level of care to invitees. For example, if you were invited by the owner of the property to do business, or if you were a patron of a business on the property, you should expect a high standard of safety.
- A property owner has a slightly less high duty of care to licensees. An example of a licensee would be a friend visiting another friend at his or her house. That friend does not necessarily have a responsibility to proactively check for safety risks in the home; however, it is expected that the friend provide reasonable warnings for existing risks or hazards. If a guest is injured by something on a rental property, he or she may be able to hold the landlord accountable for the injury.
- Property owners do not necessarily owe a duty of care to trespassers. They are not entirely off the hook, however. Property owners are expected to take reasonable care to prevent any hazards on their property if a child was to wander onto it. A common example would be putting a fence around a swimming pool.
A Waterbury lawyer can help you determine what type of visitor you were at the time of your premises liability accident, as well as whether the defendant’s actions give you the right to hold him or her financially responsible.
Compensation Available
If the owner of a property reasonably should have prevented your accident, injury or illness, you may be eligible for compensation. Although no amount of money can reverse your losses, a fair and full financial award can give you the power to move forward with greater peace of mind. You can pay off your medical debt and replace lost wages with a settlement or jury verdict won during a premises liability lawsuit in Connecticut.
Losses you may be able to list as part of a premises liability claim include:
- Past and future medical care
- Losses of income
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Disability accommodations
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Legal expenses
- Punitive damages
The value of your claim will depend on the types of losses you suffered, as well as the extent of your injuries. Although an insurance company may try to undervalue your losses, a premises liability lawyer will work hard to optimize your financial recovery.
What Is the Time Limit on Filing a Claim?
Like every state, Connecticut has a time limit for filing premises liability claims. The courts are strict with this time limit and generally do not accept a claim filed past the deadline. For the most part, claimants in Connecticut must file their lawsuits within two years of the date they were injured by the dangerous property condition.
There are some exceptions, however, for cases involving victims who are children or injuries suffered on public properties. These exceptions may extend or shorten the time limit. The best way to make sure you file before your deadline is by contacting an attorney right away.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident
If you get injured while on someone else’s property, take immediate action to make sure your legal rights are protected. The steps you take in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, dog attack, or another type of premises accident can change the outcome of your civil lawsuit. If you can, take the following steps to collect evidence and build a stronger claim to financial damages:
- Pause and check for injuries. After an accident such as a slip and fall, it is natural to want to jump to your feet and shake it off out of embarrassment. It is critical, however, to pause and take notice of any pain or injuries.
- Don’t admit fault. Do not shrug off what happened with an apology or an excuse, such as that you weren’t paying attention to where you were going. Admitting fault could hurt your ability to file a lawsuit.
- Report the accident. Tell someone about the accident, such as the owner of the property or a store manager. Ask the person to write up an official accident report.
- Take pictures. Before you leave the scene of your premises liability accident, take photographs. Take pictures of the part of the property where your accident happened, as well as any noticeable hazards or defects.
- Talk to eyewitnesses. Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident take place.
- Go to the hospital. Don’t delay in seeking medical care in Waterbury after a premises liability accident. Ask for copies of your medical records to prove your injuries.
- Keep your clothing and shoes. Hold on to what you were wearing at the time of your accident, as it may contain evidence, such as grease marks from something that was spilled on the floor.
- File a claim. Call the insurance company of the owner of the property to file your initial injury claim. Before you settle, however, speak to an attorney.
- Consult with a premises liability lawyer in Connecticut. Schedule a free consultation to tell your story and discuss your legal rights with a trustworthy attorney near you.
The success of your premises liability lawsuit can rely in part on the steps you take or don’t take after your accident. Preserving and collecting evidence right away, as well as knowing how to deal with an insurance company, can strengthen your legal claim.
What to Ask Your Waterbury Premises Liability Attorney
Don’t choose just any premises liability lawyer to handle your case. Take the time to schedule free consultations with a few top choices near you. Then, attend each meeting with a list of questions geared toward narrowing down your options so you can hire the lawyer who is best suited for handling your case. Ask the following questions for more information:
- How much experience do you have handling premises liability lawsuits?
- Do you have the ability to go to trial, if this is necessary?
- Who is the lawyer that will be handling my case?
- Can I communicate with my attorney during the legal process?
- What do your past case results look like?
- How much do you think my case is worth?
- How long will my case take to settle?
Your questions should enable you to determine if the premises liability lawyer is the right fit for you. Your free consultation is also a chance for the lawyer to get to know you and your case better. Our Waterbury premises liability attorneys will not provide their services unless we believe we are the right fit for the type and size of your lawsuit.
Speak With a Skilled Connecticut Premises Liability Lawyer
Over the years, our founding attorney has been named to Super Lawyers® multiple times and maintained a high rating on Avvo for his commitment to excellence. Our firm is passionate about helping our clients obtain the justice they deserve and about making sure that our clients are taken care of throughout the process.
Call (203) 753-7300 to learn more about your options. Our staff can speak fluent English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, & Cantonese and we are available for weekend and evening appointments, if necessary. Contact a Waterbury personal injury attorney today.