If you suffer an injury on someone else’s property, you can seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit under the legal theory of premises liability. Premises liability holds property owners and occupiers responsible for maintaining safe conditions on the properties they control.
To make the most of your personal injury lawsuit and to protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries, there are a few steps you should take.
Seek Medical Treatment
The first step is always to seek medical treatment. This will create a paper trail of your injuries and the medical treatment you received for them. However, it’s important not to stop after receiving your initial treatment. You should attend all follow-up appointments and continue the treatment until you recover.
It’s also essential to keep all medical bills you receive related to your injury. An attorney can use these bills to calculate your medical expenses and, if necessary, to predict your future medical expenses.
Report the Injury
You should report the injury to the property owner or manager. Tell them when the incident occurred and how it happened. For example, if you slipped and fell in a grocery store, tell the manager the aisle where you fell so they can file an official report of the hazard.
By reporting the incident to the person in charge of the property when your injury occurred, you’re making it harder for them to claim that they weren’t aware of the hazard or your injury.
Collect Evidence of the Hazardous Condition
If possible, you should take photographs of the hazardous conditions on the property that contributed to your injuries. Depending on the injuries you suffered, this may not be possible. However, you should get someone else to return to the property to take these photos. An attorney can help with this.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the best things you can do to protect your rights and increase your chances of recovering compensation is to hire a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer will handle all aspects of your case, from identifying liable parties and gathering evidence to negotiating a settlement with insurance companies and representing you at trial as necessary.
A personal injury lawyer can protect you from accepting a lowball settlement offer that won’t cover your expenses, and they can provide general advice throughout your case.
File Your Lawsuit
Under Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury, victims have five years to file lawsuits against the parties liable for their injuries. If you don’t file your lawsuit within this period, you could lose your right to recover compensation.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can file your claim on time and correctly. Even though five years may seem like a long time, you should get started on your case as soon as possible so you and your attorney can collect the necessary evidence while it still exists.
When Might You Not Have a Premises Liability Case
You might have trouble pursuing a premises liability claim if:
- You were trespassing on the property when you suffered your injury.
- You caused the incident that led to your injury, as Missouri’s comparative negligence statute may apply.
- You were engaged in illegal activity on the property when your injury occurred.
Still, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney even if you think one of these conditions might apply to you. They can give you an objective opinion about your rights and options based on their considerable legal experience.
Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer Serving Southern Missouri
Did you suffer an injury caused by a hazardous condition on someone else’s property? If so, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more by filing a personal injury lawsuit against them. Contact Privette Law Office for a free consultation and to learn more about how our Southern Missouri premises liability lawyers can help.