Weatherford Premises Liability Lawyer

Weatherford Premises Liability Lawyer

Have you been hurt on someone else’s property? Property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe from hazards, including criminal activity. When a property owner is negligent in this duty, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have sustained. Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has more than 25 years of experience representing victims against large businesses and insurance companies.

Contact his law firm today to schedule a free consultation with an award-winning Weatherford premises liability lawyer who can help you. You can call us at (817) 409-7000.

How Stephens Law Firm, PLLC Can Help with a Premises Liability Case

slip and fall accident

Texas law is clear about a property owner’s duty to visitors to maintain a safe property reasonably free of hazards and dangers.

However, premises liability laws are notoriously complex, and proving negligence can be difficult.

Property owners and insurance companies will make it as difficult as they can for you to recover the compensation you deserve.

Their lawyers understand the many possible defenses they have and will likely blame you for your accident or minimize the severity of your injuries.

Winning a premises liability claim often requires a fight with a strong case built on clear evidence and a winning argument. Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has more than 25 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer representing clients against some of the largest companies in Texas. He will fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

You can count on Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to go above and beyond to:

  • Investigate the circumstances of your accident
  • Gather evidence to build a strong claim
  • Work with experts to investigate your claim, value your damages, prove your injuries, and build evidence
  • Protect you from claims that you share blame for your accident
  • Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf 

Jason Stephens will not pressure you to accept an unfair settlement offer. As an award-winning trial attorney, he is not afraid to take your case to court when necessary. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule your free consultation to review your case and your legal options.

What Is Premises Liability in Texas?

Premises liability law in Texas allows property owners to be held accountable for injuries and accidents that occur on their property. This law requires property owners and managers to take certain precautions to prevent crime and accidents. However, property owners are not liable for all accidents or injuries that occur; only when they are negligent in the repair, maintenance, or security of the property.

The amount of care a property owner must take depends on the visitor’s classification as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.

Invitee

Invitees are people who visit premises with a business purpose. They are invited to the property and benefit the property owner. Invitees do not need to be expressly invited; it’s enough that the premises are open to the public.

You are an invitee when you:

  • Go to a sports game at a stadium
  • Go to a store during business hours
  • Visit a bar or restaurant
  • Check into a hotel 

Property owners in Texas owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must inspect their property regularly for dangerous conditions. If a hazard is identified, invitees must be warned until it’s fixed, which should be done quickly.

Licensee

Licensees are invited to premises for some social purpose without monetary benefit to the property owner. Common examples of licensees are door-to-door salesmen, people canvassing a neighborhood for a political purpose, and people visiting a family member or friend’s home.

Property owners have a duty to warn licensees of known dangers and hazards. They do not have a duty to regularly inspect the property to discover and correct hazards.

Trespasser

In Texas, trespassing refers to entering someone’s property without permission or consent. Someone may be trespassing when they enter a store or building after business hours or sneak onto a property to use a pool or trampoline.

Attractive Nuisances & Children

There is a big exception when it comes to attractive nuisances and children. Children are owed a duty of care, no matter their status. This is particularly true if there is an attractive nuisance on the property that could lure a child to trespass, such as a swimming pool. The property owner has a duty to take extra precautions to ensure children who potentially trespass are safe from these attractions.

Types of Weatherford Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability claims come in many forms. They may involve accidents outdoors, such as in a parking lot, or inside a building. They can also involve crime that happens on the property. Common types of premises liability cases Stephens Law Firm, PLLC handles include:

If you have been hurt on someone else’s property, contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to schedule a free consultation. Jason Stephens will help you explore your legal options.

Common Injuries in a Premises Liability Case

Premises liability accidents can lead to serious and life-changing injuries and even death. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury claims. It’s a common misconception that these accidents are always minor or victims are exaggerating their injuries, but they are responsible for millions of hospital visits, fractures, and disability every year.

Falls are the leading cause of ER visits. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, 5% of fall victims suffer a fracture and more than 15,000 seniors every year die after a fall.

All types of premises liability cases can involve serious injury, however. Common injuries Jason Stephens sees in accident victims include:

If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt on someone else’s property, contact Jason Stephens as soon as possible. He will help you investigate your accident, determine if the property owner was liable, and seek the compensation you need for your medical expenses and other damages.

What Damages Are Available in a Premises Liability Claim?

After your accident, you may be left with overwhelming expenses including medical bills and lost wages. Your injuries may prevent you from returning to work, but they don’t stop bills from piling up. If the property owner’s negligence led to your injuries, you may have the right to compensation.

There are two broad types of compensation you can recover in a premises liability claim: economic and non-economic damages.

  • Economic damages are those with a clear financial value. This includes:
  • Medical expenses, both current and future
  • Rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity or disability

You are also entitled to seek non-economic damages. These damages do not have an intrinsic financial value. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life.

If your loved one was killed in an accident, a wrongful death claim can allow you to recover similar types of damage such as loss of consortium and companionship.

Jason Stephens is an award-winning premises liability injury lawyer in Weatherford who will help you explore the types of damages that may be available in your case.

Statute of Limitations to File a Premises Liability Case in Weatherford

After an accident, it’s important to remember that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for premises liability claims is two years from the date of the accident. This statute of limitations is extended for child victims, however.

Your time limit to file a claim is shorter if you are making a claim against the property owner’s insurance policy, however. This time limit depends on the insurer.

While two years may sound like a long time, it goes quickly. If you delay in pursuing your claim, valuable evidence establishing liability, such as property maintenance records and surveillance footage, may be lost. Contact a Weatherford premises liability injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim.

Contact a Weatherford Premises Liability Lawyer

After a serious accident or assault, the last thing you should be worried about is how you will pay for medical care and living expenses while you are unable to work. Jason Stephens understands how devastating an accident can be, not only for your financial security and physical health but also your psychological health. He will fight to recover the fair compensation you deserve and help you navigate the complex legal process you are facing.

Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free case review with a compassionate Weatherford premises liability lawyer to discuss your case.

Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000