Holding Property Owners Accountable: Premises Liability Attorneys You Can Trust

When accidents occur on another party’s property, you may not know who you can hold responsible for the injuries or losses you suffer. Property owners in Kentucky have a legal duty to take steps to ensure that their premise is safe and free of known hazards. Say you slip and fall down a flight of broken stairs at your neighbor’s home or suffer injuries after being stuck in an escalator at the mall. Can you take legal action to recover compensation for injuries and medical expenses? The answer depends on several factors.

While private home and business owners can be held responsible for accidents that occur on their premises, proving negligence in these types of cases can be challenging, and it’s important to reach out to an attorney at Bolus Law Offices for help.

Legal Requirements For A Premises Liability Claim

Not all accidents that occur on someone else’s property are the result of negligence. Sometimes an accident truly is just that and no one is at fault, or sometimes you may actually do something to cause or contribute to an accident. At Bolus Law Offices, we closely examine and review the evidence and facts in your case to determine if you have a valid claim.

In order to determine whether a property owner’s negligence contributed to your injuries, he or she must have had knowledge of, or should have known about and yet failed to take action to correct, the hazardous condition that caused your injuries.

Examples of premises liability claims include:

• Slip-, trip-and-fall accidents – Broken stairs, icy sidewalks, spilled substances
• Dog bites and attacks – Failure to leash or dog had history of aggressive behavior
• Negligent security – Poorly lit parking lots, lack of security cameras or personnel
• Elevator and escalator accidents – Failure to properly maintain, failure to warn public
• Swimming pool accidents – No or inadequate fencing, failure to maintain

Understanding Slip-And-Fall Injuries

Slip-and-fall accidents represent one of the most common types of premises liability incidents, often resulting in serious injuries that can have lasting impacts on victims’ lives. 

Common Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall incidents typically result from hazardous conditions that property owners fail to address or warn visitors about. Frequent causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors from spills, leaks or recent cleaning without proper warning signs
• Poor maintenance creating dangerous situations through broken or uneven flooring, loose carpeting or damaged stairs and handrails
• Cluttered or obstructed walkways when boxes, equipment or debris block safe passage
• Inadequate lighting in stairwells, parking lots or walkways preventing visitors from seeing potential hazards
• Weather-related conditions such as ice, snow or rain on walkways when not properly maintained

These hazardous conditions create liability when property owners knew or should have known about the dangers but failed to take corrective action.

Where Slip-And-Fall Accidents Commonly Occur

These accidents happen in various locations where property owners have responsibilities to maintain safe conditions. Retail stores and shopping centers see frequent incidents due to spilled products or merchandise left in walkways. Restaurants and grocery stores face particular risks from food spills and frequent floor cleaning. Parking lots and garages present hazards from poor lighting, uneven surfaces or weather conditions.

Typical Injuries From Slip-And-Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall accidents can cause severe injuries requiring extensive medical treatment:

• Broken bones, particularly wrists, ankles and hips, as victims attempt to break their falls
• Head injuries ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries
• Back and spinal injuries can result in chronic pain and permanent disability
• Soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains and torn ligaments, requiring physical therapy
• Bruising and lacerations causing pain and requiring medical treatment

These injuries often require ongoing medical care and can impact victims’ ability to work.

What To Do After A Premises Liability Injury

Taking proper steps immediately after a premises liability accident protects your health and preserves your legal rights:

• Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor
• Document the accident scene by photographing the hazardous condition and your injuries
• Report the incident to the property owner and request written documentation
• Gather contact information from witnesses who saw the accident occur
• Contact an experienced premises liability attorney promptly to protect your rights

These steps help preserve crucial evidence while the accident details remain fresh.

Get A Free Consultation Today

To discuss your slip-and-fall injury or other premises liability claim with a lawyer, call our firm at 502-410-3858 or reach out to us online. We offer free consultations and help accident victims in Louisville and the surrounding communities, including Lexington and throughout Kentucky and Indiana.