North Carolina Premises Liability Law

In North Carolina, premises liability refers to the property owner’s duty to ensure their property is safe for visitors. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring on their property. If a property owner fails to take these steps and someone is injured; as a result, the property owner can be held liable for the accident and injury.

Do I Have a Premises Liability Claim?

To have a claim, your injury must have been caused by the property owner’s negligence. Premises liability claims can be complex, so it’s important to have a premises liability attorney look at the details of your case.

When you are on someone’s property, you are in one of three categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. This will help establish if you have a valid claim.

Invitees

If you were invited onto the property for business reasons, you are an invitee. For example, you’re a customer at a store or a patient at a doctor’s office. Since the property owner benefits from you being on their property, they have a duty to ensure your safety.

Licensees

You are a licensee if you have permission to be on the property but not for business reasons. An example would be a social guest in someone’s home. In these cases, you are still owed a duty of care by the property owner. However, they are not expected to uphold the same standards as a business owner.

Trespassers

You are a trespasser if you do not have permission to be on the property and the property owner knows or should know that you’re there. If you are a trespasser, in most cases, you will not have a valid claim. In other cases, you will have a valid claim. If the property owner intentionally tried to cause harm to trespassers, they could be held responsible for the trespasser’s injuries.

The type of visitor you were will help determine if the property owner can be liable for your injuries. It’s always best to consult with one of our liability attorneys to discuss the specific details of your case.

What Are Some Common Defenses in Premises Liability Cases?

Property owners might use a few common defenses in premises liability cases. These include:

• You were trespassing on the property
• You knew about the hazard and chose to ignore it
• Your injuries were caused by something other than the hazard
• It was an act of God
• The property owner did not have enough time to fix the hazard
• You assumed the risk of injury by entering the property

Each case is unique, and it’s important to speak with an attorney about the specific details of your accident.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases in Greenville, NC

Many different types of injuries can occur on a person’s property. Some common injuries in premises liability cases include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Structural failings that lead to injury
• Escalator and elevator accidents
• Injuries that occur when children play in an unsafe area
• Dog bites
• Injuries caused by defective products
• Injuries caused by inadequate security

Even if your injuries were unrelated to one of these hazards, you might still have a valid claim. It’s important to speak with an attorney about the specific details of your accident and injuries.

When speaking with a premises liability lawyer, be sure to bring any relevant documentation, such as:

• Medical records
• Photos of the accident scene
• Witness statements

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Greenville, North Carolina, as soon as possible.

Who is Responsible for an Injury in a Premises Liability Case?

To hold someone liable for your injuries, you must be able to prove that they were negligent. This means they did not take the necessary steps to ensure your safety while you were on their property. To do this, you will need to show that:

• The property owner knew or should have known about the hazard
• The property owner did not take the necessary steps to fix the hazard
• You were injured as a result of the hazard
• The property owner’s negligence led to your injuries
  It can be challenging to prove that the property owner was negligent, so it’s important to have an experienced premises liability lawyer on your side.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Greenville Premises Liability Case?

If you are successful in proving that the property owner was negligent, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. The amount of compensation you are eligible to receive will depend on the specific details of your case.

Contact our Premises Liability Lawyers in Greenville, NC

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to speak with an experienced premises liability lawyer in Greenville, North Carolina, as soon as possible. The lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid claim and what your next steps should be.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have years of experience handling premises liability cases in Greenville, NC. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.