After you have been injured by hazardous property conditions, seek legal guidance. The legal team of Bautista Leroy LLC is ready to assist you throughout the process. Our attorneys have long served clients throughout Southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis area. We believe that quality representation is achieved through a focused practice in medical malpractice, nursing home law, personal injury, sexual abuse or assault litigation and railroad crossing cases.

This article discusses the many examples of dangerous property conditions, what defenses might property owners raise and how long an individual should file a claim after being injured.

What Are Examples of Dangerous Property Conditions?

Different types of hazards that can harm people while doing their everyday routine or attending an event are considered dangerous property conditions. Here are the common examples every individual might encounter:

• Wet or newly waxed floors 
• No warning signs
• Loose steps or handrails
• Uneven sidewalks
• Poor lighting
• Exposed wiring
• Falling merchandise in stores
• Unsecured swimming pools

What Defenses Can Property Owners Raise?

When you file a compensation claim after being injured on someone's property, expect that some owners might not admit fault. Instead, they will rely on many reasons in their defense. Here are the common narratives:

• Not aware of the hazard
• Victim was not paying attention
• Saying the hazard was obvious
• Blaming a third party
• Stating the victim was trespassing

These defenses can challenge your claim, which is why having solid pieces of evidence, such as photos, witness accounts or medical records, can counter their excuses.

How Long Do I Have To File A Premises Liability Claim?

The deadline for filing a premises liability case can be different in every state. However, one thing is the same: if you miss these deadlines could compromise your case. Some states impose two-year window from the date you have sustained the injury, but others shorten this period, especially when government-owned property is involved. You must take early actions because evidence might be lost, camera footage gets deleted and unsafe conditions are often repaired immediately. 

Why Is Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Beneficial?

You might face difficulties if you decide to handle the premises liability case alone. A personal injury attorney who has experience in these kinds of cases can guide you to achieve a favorable outcome. Here's why working with a legal professional brings many advantages:

• A deeper understanding of the law
• Access to expert evaluators 
• Negotiation experience
• Complex procedures guidance

When Is The Right Time To Hire An Attorney?

As mentioned earlier in this article, delays can only harm your case. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible can give them more time to investigate the hazardous condition of a property and build you a strong case. If you are facing these difficulties, then it is time to hire an attorney:

• Injuries required medical treatment
• Missed work
• Property owner denies responsibility
• Low settlement offer
• You're unsure about your rights

What Are The Criteria For Finding A Good Attorney?

Filing a successful premises liability case requires the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney. You must consider these criteria before choosing someone to represent you:

• Experience with premises liability cases
• Clear communication during consultation
• Good reputation within the legal community
• Proven results in personal injury litigation
• Client-centered approach

Why Choose Bautista LeRoy LLC?

The Bautista LeRoy LLC team believes that quality legal services come from attorneys with a focused practice in personal injury law. Our legal team is experienced in representing clients who are injured due to a dangerous property condition. We handle premises liability cases with a thorough investigation while keeping our clients informed throughout and we work in a personalized approach to meet their needs. Our goal is to achieve a reasonable amount to compensate for what our client has lost due to being injured in a hazardous property. 

Suggested Action Steps

After being injured on someone's property due to negligence or an unaddressed dangerous condition, consider the following actionable steps:

• Seek medical care immediately
• Document the hazard with photographs
• Obtain the names of witnesses
• Report the incident
• Keep all expense records
• Contact a personal injury attorney

Dangerous property conditions can have serious legal consequences for the property owners. Victims of the hazard can also suffer injuries that require medical assistance and expenses. You can recover losses by filing a premises liability case with the guidance of an experienced attorney. Contact us today at 833-381-6589 or send us an email on our Contact Page. Serving St. Louis and the surrounding areas of Boone County and Benton County.