Atlanta Premises Liability Lawyer

When you visit someone else’s property, you should be able to expect safe premises. Sadly, landowners often fail in this duty. A property owner’s negligence can lead to serious harm when they fail to remove hazards or maintain safe conditions. If you were injured because of a landowner’s failure to keep you safe, you deserve fair compensation.

An Atlanta premises liability lawyer at Robert James Trial Attorneys could help you pursue the most favorable outcome possible. With over 25 years of experience in the justice system, our personal injury attorneys know how to fight for what you deserve.

When Might a Landowner be Liable for an Injury?

The law places a general duty on property owners to keep guests safe from foreseeable harm. This includes injuries that may happen as the product of accidents or from the attacks of third parties. As a result, a premises liability case may be appropriate under a variety of circumstances.

Premises liability cases may arise from temporary hazards, such as wet floors or loose carpeting. They may also be the result of structural defects, such as broken stairs or faulty hand railings. In both situations, it is worth investigating the steps that landowners took to recognize these hazards and warn guests.

In some cases, a property owner may also be liable for criminal activity that affects a guest. All property that invites guests should have adequate lighting, locking doors, and security staff where applicable. An Atlanta premises liability attorney could provide more information about premises liability cases and when a property owner may be responsible for an injury.

Classes of Visitors in Premises Liability Cases

Not every injury that occurs on another’s property is the landowner’s fault. State law places visitors into one of three categories, and this classification determines the rights of those parties. These categories are:

Trespassers

Trespassers enter land without the owner’s knowledge or permission. They can only pursue cases if they can prove that the injury was the result of intentional or wanton conduct on the part of the landowner.

Licensees

Licensees enter land with the permission of the owner for the visitor’s benefit. Here, much like in the case of trespassers, landowners must only provide protection against wanton or intentional conduct.

Invitees

Invitees enter land for the benefit of the owner, usually to spend money. Landowners must take all reasonable steps to protect invitees from harm.

An Atlanta premises liability attorney could help you determine your status under the law and investigate whether a landowner failed in their obligation to provide protection.

Seeking Fair Compensation within the Prescribed Time Limit

When you suffer harm because of a landowner’s negligence, you deserve full compensation for your losses. This often includes payments for medical bills, lost wages, and lost quality of life.

No matter how severe your injury or complex your case, the law places a strict time limit on these lawsuits. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33, this time limit may be as brief as two years from the date of the incident. Talking with an Atlanta attorney now maximizes your chances of pursuing a successful premises liability case.

Reach Out to an Atlanta Premises Liability Attorney Today

Certain property owners have a duty to protect invited guests from accidental harm. However, the exact steps that they must take depend upon your reason for being there. Having a full understanding of these laws is necessary to obtain the compensation that you need to cover medical costs, recover lost wages, and pay for your reductions in quality of life.

An Atlanta premises liability lawyer is here to help. We can work to explain the state’s premises liability laws and investigate whether a property owner was to blame for an incident. We could also measure the extent of your losses and fight to hold insurance companies and negligent property owners liable. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.