Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility landowners possess if someone is injured on their property. To establish liability, the injured party must prove that the landowner had knowledge of unsafe conditions or activities on their property, failed to take the reasonable steps necessary to protect against the hazard, and had some role in causing the damage.

At Quinn Injury Lawyers, our Philadelphia premises liability lawyer fights aggressively to protect the rights of victims and families. We handle the full spectrum of premises liability cases—from slip and falls to dog bite liability cases. If you or your loved one was hurt on another party’s premises, we are here to help. Call our Philadelphia law office today for a free consultation. 

What to Do After an Accident on Someone Else’s Property?

Were you or a family member hurt in an accident on another party’s premises? Whether you were at a business, an apartment building, or any other location, it is essential that you know the steps to take to protect your rights and interests. Here are four things to do after an accident in the Philadelphia area to ensure you are in the best position to bring a premises liability claim: 

1. Document What Happened (Evidence Matters): Immediately after an accident on someone else’s property, it’s important to document what happened as thoroughly as possible. This will be valuable evidence in any future legal proceedings. Take photos of the scene of the accident, and write down what happened, including the time and date, any witness statements, and any conditions that may have contributed to the accident. A key thing to remember is that a premises liability claim is a fault-based case. Evidence matters. 
2. Seek Medical Care from a Licensed Physician: If you have been injured, it is crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible. Do not delay. Health comes first. Seeing a doctor will not only help you recover, but it will also provide you with a medical report that can be used as evidence in any future legal proceedings. As a general rule, you cannot bring a premises liability claim without medical records.  
3. Notify the Business or Property Owner: After seeking medical care, you should notify the business or property owner of the accident. You do not need all of the details at this point in time. However, it is vital that you ensure that the business or property owner is aware that an accident happened on their premises. Doing so will make it easier to bring a claim. 
4. Speak to a Lawyer (Not an Insurer): Premises liability cases are complicated. Unfortunately, defendants and insurers are not on your side. Before you give any statement to an insurer, consult with an experienced Philadelphia premises liability attorney. A qualified lawyer will be able to help you navigate the complex legal process and make sure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

We Handle the Full Range of Premises Liability Claims in Philadelphia

Quinn Injury Lawyers is a full-service personal injury law firm that is laser-focused on protecting the legal rights and financial interests of injured victims and their family members. From our main law office in the heart of Philadelphia, we go above and beyond to help victims of premises liability accidents successfully navigate the claims process. Our legal team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that these accidents can have on victims and their families, and we work tirelessly to secure the compensation they deserve. No matter how or why your accident happened, our Philadelphia, PA premises liability lawyer is ready to help you find the best path forward. The following are typical examples of premises liability cases:

Slips and Falls

If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim and recover damages for any injuries you sustained. However, the landowner is only obligated to compensate the injured party if they knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition on their property. Dangerous conditions that lead to slips and falls may include:

• Inadequate warnings of potential dangers when signage or a marked crosswalk would have been sufficient to indicate the risk, such as unmarked curbs.
• Improperly stored items in aisles, hallways, and stairwells.
• Landscaping defects that could cause someone to trip or slip, such as missing or uneven sidewalk slabs/blocks, overgrown grass, and unpaved pathways.
• Lack of proper lighting to identify hazards in areas where there is no natural light available. For example, poorly lit exit stairs and doorways in underground garages without windows.
• Unsecured pet objects, tripping hazards from extension cords laying across walkways, or poor drainage from planters leading to slippery conditions from moss.

If the landowner had actual knowledge of the hazardous condition and failed to correct it, they could be responsible for your injuries. To be clear, this does not mean that they are automatically liable for a slip and fall or trip and fall on their premises. As part of your claim, you must be prepared to prove that the business or property owner’s negligence contributed to the fall.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Property owners are liable when visitors are injured by dogs that attack without provocation. If this is the case, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries under premises liability. Bites by dogs or other pets are often the result of negligence by their owner or a person who had control over them at the time of the attack or bite.

If you were visiting someone’s home when they were present, for example, and their dog escaped from another room to attack you, the homeowner may be held responsible for your injuries under premises liability. However, if there is no evidence to prove they knew about their dog’s dangerous propensities in the past, their homeowners’ insurance policy may help cover your medical bills in full or in part.

A Negligent Security Guard Allowing An Intruder Onto The Property

In some cases, situations can arise when a property owner or tenant is responsible for keeping trespassers off their property but fails to do so. A security guard might be legally liable for injuries resulting from an attack if they could not fulfill their job requirements. A security guard’s failure to notice an intruder may leave the property owner liable for damages under premises liability.

Factory or Manufacturing Site Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) establishes standards for employers to create safe working conditions for employees. If you are injured on the factory floor, there is a good chance that OSHA standards were not followed by your employer or the plant management, which lead to your injury.

OSHA regulations require employers to provide protective equipment — like steel-toed boots, shoes, and safety glasses — for workers required to perform dangerous tasks without them, for example. You may be able to file a claim against the employer if you were not given the proper personal protective equipment to perform your daily tasks and were injured as a result.

If your factory accident was caused by faulty equipment or machinery, the plant owner could be responsible for causing your injuries. Liability will depend on whether the factory failed to maintain the machines, inspect them for safety issues, or neglect training employees on its use.

Recovering Compensation in a Premises Liability Claim in Philadelphia

Hurt in an accident in Philadelphia? You have the right to seek compensation for economic and intangible damages through a premises liability claim. Most often, these types of personal injury cases are defended by large commercial property insurance companies. They want to limit their own financial culpability—and that means trying to find a way to pay you less. Our Philadelphia premises liability lawyer has the skills and experience to help you maximize your recovery for: 

• Medical bills; 
• Physical therapy; 
• Lost wages; 
• Diminished earning power; 
• Pain and suffering; 
• Disability; 
• Disfigurement; and
• Wrongful death.

Why Rely On Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer Sean E. Quinn

Founded by nationally recognized trial lawyer Sean E. Quinn, the Quinn Injury Lawyers can help assess your claim after an accident and help you understand your legal rights. The goal in filing a premises liability claim is to recover damages for unexpected medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. We are devoted to providing proactive, personalized legal guidance and support that is focused on ensuring that our clients get the compensation that they need to move forward. 

There are time limits on filing claims against another party, including landlords or property management companies. Some states also place caps on how much money you can recover for pain and suffering, depending on the circumstances of your accident. Having a capable attorney by your side can help streamline a complex claims process and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available for your injuries. An experienced lawyer can help you file a claim in civil court and provide expert guidance throughout the process. 

Contact Our Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney Today

Insurance companies may offer you a small settlement following your injury. Oftentimes, these settlements are only a portion of the compensation you are entitled to, and by accepting any settlement offer put forth by the insurance company, you are waiving your rights to pursue additional compensation moving forward. 

Don’t fight the insurance company alone. A Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney with Quinn Injury Lawyers can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensure you are getting fair compensation, and protect your legal rights. Call the Quinn Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights. 

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