Corpus Christi Premises Liability Lawyers

Understanding Premises Liability Law in Texas

On any type of property or premises, the owner must maintain reasonably safe conditions. This means following building and safety codes, ensuring the property is safe from hazards, and keeping buildings and walkways in good repair. Anytime a property owner neglects these requirements, causing an injury, the victim may have recourse. Have you been hurt in this situation? If so, reach out to our team to see whether you have a claim for damages.

Premises liability cases can involve a variety of different properties, including shopping malls, public parks, stores, sidewalks, parking garages, parking lots, office buildings, and even personal residences. The most common type of premises liability injury is the result of slips and falls. However, there are many different injuries that could occur if the property owner is negligent in providing safe conditions.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a premises liability situation, contact Bandas Law Firm. Our Corpus Christi premises liability lawyers have extensive experience with these types of cases and will go to work for you.

The Three Legal Statuses of the Victim

Whenever there is the possibility of a premises liability case, the first thing to be established is the legal status of the person who was hurt.

The state of Texas recognizes three different statuses:

• Trespasser – If you were not legally allowed on the property and you had not been given permission or invitation to be there, you likely will not have a premises liability claim.
• Licensee – If you were given permission, either expressed or implied, to be on the property, but you weren’t invited specifically, you are a licensee. This means if the property owner did not warn you of any dangerous situations, you could have a premises liability case.
• Invitee – If someone directly invites you onto their property, any dangerous conditions that result in injury may give you cause to file a premises liability case. You must prove negligence on the property owner’s part.

Before starting your case, it’s important to determine which threshold you fall under. This will affect the evidence you will need to prove your case—or whether you are even eligible to bring one.

Proving Negligence

Proving someone was negligent in a premises liability case is not as easy as you may think. You must demonstrate the property owner knew about the dangerous situation (or reasonably should have known) and failed to correct it. However, if the defendant can show that you contributed to the dangerous situation in some way, they may argue that you hold contributory negligence. This claim, if effective, can reduce the amount they owe you. So, if you have been injured on someone else’s property, talk to us. We can help you determine the best approach when it comes to recovering the compensation you need.

Cases that Can Be Brought Under Premises Liability Law

Most people think of slip & falls when they hear about premises liability, which is fair—it is one of the most common types of injury-causing accidents. However, there are many different injures that could fall under this banner. They include:

• Animal attack (e.g., dog bite)
• Malfunction of amenities (e.g., a shower that scalds even when not turned all the way to hot)
• Lack of safety features (e.g., a staircase without a railing)
• Attack by someone else (e.g., a violent criminal whose presence was known to management)
• Struck by object (e.g., a hammer that falls off the shelf)
• Collapse of structure (e.g., decorative stonework coming loose)

One exception to these injuries is Texas’ “Open and Obvious” doctrine. For example, if you see a deep pothole in the middle of the sidewalk and fail to avoid it, the property owner will not be liable for your injury. Just as you must prove they reasonably should have been aware of a danger, they can argue a typical person would be expected to notice it and avoid a situation that could harm them.

On the other hand, if neither you nor the property owner knew (or should have known) there was a danger, you may not be able to bring a lawsuit at all. Sometimes accidents happen for no reason, and at no one’s fault. Only when negligence can be proven can you sue.

Who Is At Fault?

Determining whose negligence caused your accident can at times be complex. Is a sidewalk the property of the city, or the store it runs in front of? Is an injury in an apartment building the fault of the landlord, or the person staying there? Our team can help you evaluate your case to figure out which party (or parties) may be held to account.

Contact Our Firm for a Free Case Evaluation

Bandas Law Firm is here for you when you or a loved one has been injured in a premises liability case. We work with clients to protect their rights throughout the whole claim process, no matter how long it takes. Get started on the lengthy legal process now: Reach out to us as soon as possible after your injury. We will provide you with a free case evaluation to determine your legal options after a bad accident.