Premises Liability FAQs Answered by St. Louis Premises Liability Attorneys

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions at (314) 322-8515

If you have been injured in an injury accident while on someone else’s property, you may be wondering what your legal options are. Who should be responsible for your medical bills? Do you have to sue your friend to receive compensation for your losses? Here are a few frequently asked questions about premises liability claims in Missouri. For information about your specific case, contact an experienced premises liability lawyer who has successfully handled such cases.

Q: What is a premises liability claim in Missouri?

A: A premises liability claim is a civil lawsuit that victims of injury accidents may file against a property owner. Negligent property owners may be held responsible for the losses suffered on their property. Property owners cannot be expected to prevent all injury accidents on their property, however. Negligence on the part of a property owner is a key factor in most if not all premises liability claims.

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Q: What role does negligence play in premises liability cases?

A: In order to receive compensation through civil litigation, an injured victim will have to prove that the property owner knew about the hazardous condition that caused the accident and yet failed to rectify the problem. Did the property owner fail to repair a damaged step or floor? Did the accident involve criminal activity caused by inadequate security that could have been prevented by the property owner? Was a slippery floor clearly labeled or were visitors in danger of falling with no warning? These are all important questions to ask in order to determine fault and liability in such cases.

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Q: Do I have to sue my friend to receive compensation?

A: If you are injured at a friend’s house, you may be faced with a dilemma of whether or not to file a claim. It is natural to wonder if you will hurt your friend or damage a perfectly good relationship. Remember, a premises liability claim will be compensated through an insurance policy and not directly from a property owner. In other words, filing a lawsuit against a friend will not result in your friend being hurt financially, directly. He or she may, however, see an increase in insurance premiums. Sometimes civil litigation is the only way to get fair compensation for the injuries suffered. If you do not file a claim, you may have to spend out of pocket for medical expenses and take other losses.

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Q: How much is my Missouri premises liability claim worth?

A: The value of a Missouri premises liability claim is directly related to the extent of the injuries suffered. In other words, serious injuries tend to result in larger settlements than minor injuries. Losses that are typically considered in a civil lawsuit include all accident-related hospital bills, prescription drug costs, therapy fees and medical devices, lost wages and pain and suffering. Calculating exactly how much you have lost both financially, physically and emotionally is the first step to understanding how much your claim may be worth.

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Q: Do I need an attorney to receive compensation?

A: Legally, you may file a claim on your own without the assistance of a premises liability attorney. It is common, however for property owners to refuse responsibility and for insurance companies to deny reasonable claims. Injured victims often have to fight to receive compensation and an experienced premises liability attorney can expedite the process.

Our St. Louis injury attorneys have many years of experience in protecting the rights of accident victims and provide no-cost consultations on all potential claims. We can help you determine if you have a valid claim and help you better understand your legal rights and options. Call us today to find out how we can help you at (314) 322-8515.

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