There is always a certain level of risk that you incur when visiting someone else’s property. Even when premises appear to be safe, there can be unexpected hazards that can result in an injury. Uneven flooring, accumulated water, and other hazards can cause you to slip and fall if a property owner does not properly maintain their premises.
If you suffered injuries while visiting public or private property, you could be able to collect compensation. This involves both showing how the event has impacted your life and proving that a landowner was legally liable for the incident, which requires the help of a dedicated injury attorney. A Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyer is ready to demonstrate both these concepts during negotiations with insurance companies and in court.
Obligations for Property Owners to Protect Invited Guests
When a property owner invites a person to visit their premises, they have an obligation under the law to take reasonable action to prevent harm. This may include warning guests about known hazards, taking steps to clear dangers that may cause injuries, and keeping the property in good condition.
Obtaining information about the state of the property and what the owner knew about hazards is essential for any slip and fall case. A Baton Rouge slip and fall attorney could assist an individual in understanding their rights under the law and how a property owner may be at fault for their injuries.
Special Rules that Apply to Merchants
In general, property owners have a broad duty to protect guests from harm. However, state law provides additional protections to the owners of commercial property. Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 9:2800.6, merchants must take reasonable care to prevent injuries to visitors. To obtain compensation from a commercial property owner, injured individuals must prove that the hazard that caused an accident posed an unreasonable risk of harm and that the owner had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition. This goes beyond the basic concept of negligence that can allow people to demand compensation from non-merchant landowners, and a skilled slip and fall lawyer in Baton Rouge could provide guidance during a case of this nature.
Seeking Fair Compensation Under State Law
Proving that a landowner was liable for an incident that occurred on their property is only one part of a comprehensive slip and fall case. It is just as important to be able to show how the event impacted a person’s life. This requires gathering medical bills and records, placing dollar values on emotional traumas, and communicating with employers to determine lost wages.
An experienced lawyer could work to prove the extent of a person’s losses and take all necessary steps to demand fair payments. While this often ends in a fair settlement offered through an insurance claim, the slip and fall attorneys at Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers will never settle just for the sake of getting you out the door. If a trial becomes necessary to collect full payments, an attorney could file a formal petition in court within the one-year statute of limitations laid out under Louisiana Civil Code § 3492.
Discuss Your Legal Options with a Baton Rouge Slip and Fall Attorney
Proving fault after a slip and fall injury can be tricky. Even if there is no doubt that the incident occurred on another’s property, you must still show that the owner was negligent in allowing it to occur. It is crucial that you move forward in these cases with a knowledgeable attorney by your side who could connect your losses to the incident and place a proper dollar value on your experiences.
Reach out to a Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyer at our firm now to let them take the lead on your case. We are prepared to protect your legal right to compensation while you concentrate on getting your life back on track. Call today to get started.
