You need the right legal representation to protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve after a premises liability incident.
As respected premises liability lawyers in Charlotte, Riddle & Brantley are dedicated to advocating for the rights of individuals injured due to the negligence of property owners or managers.
Charlotte Premises Liability Guide:
- Typical Examples of Premises Liability Cases
- Common Premises Liability Injuries
- The Legal Elements of a Premises Liability Claim
- Why You Should Choose the Charlotte Premises Liability Lawyers at Riddle & Brantley
- Our Strategy for Negotiating a Fair Settlement
- How Our Lawyers Will Debunk the Key Arguments and Tricks of the Insurance Company
- The Process of Filing a Premises Liability Claim
- Contact Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for maintaining a safe environment for individuals who enter their premises.
This includes both public and private properties, such as retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, and private residences. When a property owner or manager fails to uphold their duty of care, resulting in an injury to a visitor, you can hold them liable for the resulting damages.
Premises liability cases can arise from various circumstances, including slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, unsafe conditions, and even criminal acts on the property.
Regardless of the specific details, the underlying principle remains the same: property owners must ensure the safety of those who enter their premises.
Typical Examples of Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability cases can take on many forms, but some of the most common examples include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: This is one of the most frequent types of premises liability cases, occurring when a visitor slips, trips, or falls due to hazardous conditions on the property, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting.
- Inadequate Security: Property owners may be held liable if they fail to provide adequate security measures, such as proper lighting, security cameras, or security personnel, leading to criminal acts like assault, robbery, or sexual assault on the premises.
- Unsafe Conditions: This can include a wide range of hazardous conditions, such as crumbling stairs, broken handrails, faulty elevators, or hazardous debris, that can result in serious injuries to visitors.
- Negligent Maintenance: Property owners have a duty to regularly inspect and maintain their premises to ensure the safety of all who enter. Failure to do so, leading to injuries, can result in personal injury claims.
- Animal Attacks: If a property owner fails to contain or control a dangerous animal on their premises properly, and that animal attacks and injures a visitor, you can hold the property owner liable.
Common Premises Liability Injuries
Premises liability incidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can be severe and life-altering.
Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in these cases include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Sprains and strains
- Neck and back injuries
- Wrongful death
The severity and long-term impact of these injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. That's why it's crucial to have a team of experienced premises liability lawyers, like those at Riddle & Brantley, to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The Legal Elements of a Premises Liability Claim
To establish a successful premises liability claim, you must prove:
- Duty of Care: The property owner or manager had a legal duty to maintain the premises safely for visitors.
- Breach of Duty: The property owner or manager failed to uphold their duty of care, resulting in a hazardous condition on the premises.
- Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused the visitor's injury.
- Damages: The visitor suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, resulting from the injury.
Navigating the complexities of these legal elements can require the guidance of experienced premises liability lawyers at Riddle & Brantley. We can build a strong case and advocate for your rights.
Why You Should Choose the Charlotte Premises Liability Lawyers at Riddle & Brantley
Regarding premises liability cases, the team at Riddle & Brantley stands out. Here's why you should choose us to represent you:
- Extensive Experience: Our attorneys have decades of experience handling a wide range of premises liability cases, from slip and fall incidents to inadequate security claims. We have a proven track record of success in securing favorable settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- Personalized Attention: We understand that each premises liability case is unique, and we take the time to investigate the details of your incident thoroughly, gather all relevant evidence, and develop a tailored legal strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
- Unwavering Commitment: At Riddle & Brantley, we are passionate about protecting the rights of individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of property owners or managers. We will go the extra mile to ensure your voice is heard and your interests are represented.
- Tools and Resources: Our team of legal professionals, including experienced investigators and medical experts, is well-equipped to handle the complexities of premises liability cases. We have the resources and knowledge necessary to build a strong case and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- No-Risk Representation: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won't owe us any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This ensures that you can focus on your recovery without worrying about the financial burden of legal representation.
Our Strategy for Negotiating a Fair Settlement
At Riddle & Brantley, we understand that the ultimate goal in a premises liability case is to secure a fair and just settlement that adequately compensates you for your injuries and losses.
To achieve this, we employ a comprehensive negotiation strategy that includes:
- Thorough Investigation: Our team will conduct a meticulous investigation, gathering all relevant evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert reports, to build a strong case.
- Damage Calculation: We will work closely with medical professionals to accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Aggressive Negotiation: Our experienced negotiators will engage with the insurance companies and defense lawyers, using our knowledge of premises liability law and the strength of our case to secure the highest possible settlement.
- Willingness to Litigate: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we can take your case to court and fight for your rights through the litigation process.
How Our Lawyers Will Debunk the Key Arguments and Tricks of the Insurance Company
Insurance companies often employ various tactics to minimize their liability and reduce the compensation they pay.
Our team at Riddle & Brantley is well-versed in these strategies and can counter them effectively.
Some of the common arguments and tricks we are adept at debunking include:
- Contributory Negligence: Insurance companies may try to shift the blame onto the victim, arguing that the individual was partially responsible for their own injuries. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the incident and present evidence to refute any claims of contributory negligence.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies may attempt to argue that the victim's injuries were caused by a preexisting condition, rather than the incident on the premises. We will work with medical experts to clearly demonstrate the causal link between the incident and the victim's injuries.
- Inadequate Documentation: Insurance companies may claim that the victim did not properly document their injuries or that the medical records don’t prove your losses. Our team will ensure that all relevant medical documentation is gathered and presented in a compelling manner.
- Delayed Reporting: Insurance companies may argue that the victim's delay in reporting the incident undermines the validity of the claim. We will explain the reasons for any delays and emphasize the importance of the victim's well-being and recovery.
By anticipating and effectively countering these tactics, our lawyers at Riddle & Brantley can maximize the chances of securing a fair settlement for our clients.
The Process of Filing a Premises Liability Claim
Filing a premises liability claim can require the guidance of the experienced team at Riddle & Brantley to navigate with confidence.
The typical steps involved in filing a premises liability claim include:
- Reporting the Incident: Immediately report the incident to the property owner or manager and file an official report.
- Seeking Medical Attention: Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not appear severe. This will create a record of your injuries and the treatment received.
- Gathering Evidence: Collect any available evidence, such as photographs of the hazardous condition, witness statements, and copies of the incident report.
- Contacting a Premises Liability Lawyer: Reach out to the premises liability lawyers at Riddle & Brantley to discuss your case and begin the legal process.
- Filing the Claim: Our team will handle the process of filing your premises liability claim, including communicating with the insurance company and negotiating a fair settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we can take your case to court and fight for your rights through the litigation process.
Throughout this process, our team at Riddle & Brantley will guide you and protect your rights.
How Riddle & Brantley Can Help Protect Your Rights
At Riddle & Brantley, we are committed to protecting the rights of individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of property owners or managers. Our experienced team of premises liability lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Some of the ways we can help protect your rights include:
- Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation, gathering all relevant evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Expert Witness Testimony: We will work with medical and other experts to provide credible testimony that supports your claims and the extent of your damages.
- Aggressive Negotiation: Our skilled negotiators will engage with insurance companies and defense lawyers to secure the highest possible settlement for your case.
- Litigation Support: If necessary, we can take your case to court and fight for your rights through the litigation process.
- Personalized Attention: You will receive individualized attention and support throughout the legal process, addressing your needs and concerns.
By choosing Riddle & Brantley, you can feel confident that we will protect your rights and interests every step of the way.
Compensation Available to Victims of Negligence
If the negligence of a property owner or manager injures you, you can recover recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, and any necessary assistive devices or equipment.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for lost income, both past and future, due to your inability to work as a result of your injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress you have experienced as a result of your injuries.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Compensation for any long-term or permanent impairments or changes to your physical appearance.
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one has tragically passed away due to a premises liability incident, you may be able to recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.
The specific compensation you may recover will depend on the unique circumstances of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the impact they have had on your life. Our team at Riddle & Brantley will work diligently to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Not Hiring a Charlotte Premises Liability Lawyer is Playing into the Hand of the Defendant
When it comes to premises liability cases, trying to navigate the legal system on your own can be a daunting and risky proposition. Insurance companies and property owners have teams of experienced lawyers and adjusters whose sole purpose is to minimize their liability and reduce the amount of compensation they are required to pay.
By not hiring a skilled premises liability lawyer, you are essentially playing into the hands of the defendant.
Without the tools and resources of an experienced legal team, you may struggle to:
- Properly document and present the evidence needed to support your claim
- Accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including future medical expenses and lost wages
- Effectively negotiate with insurance companies and defense lawyers to secure a fair settlement
- Prepare for and navigate the litigation process, should your case go to court
Attempting to handle a premises liability case on your own can result in a significantly reduced settlement or even the outright denial of your claim. By choosing the experienced premises liability lawyers at Riddle & Brantley, you can level the playing field and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
Don't let the defendant's legal team take advantage of you. Contact the experienced Charlotte personal injury attorney at Riddle & Brantley today for your free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of a property owner or manager, don't hesitate to contact the Charlotte premises liability lawyers at Riddle & Brantley. Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today to speak to a legal team member.
Don't let the defendant's legal team take advantage of you. Contact Riddle & Brantley today at (704) 486-5824 and let us help you navigate the complexities of your premises liability case.
Riddle & Brantley - Charlotte Office
Address: 301 McCullough Dr Ste 400
Charlotte, NC 28262
Phone: (704) 486-5824