{"id":358044,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/premises-liability-plaintiff.html"},"modified":"2023-11-18T03:14:30","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T08:14:30","slug":"premises-liability-plaintiff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/premises-liability-plaintiff.html","title":{"rendered":"When To Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When To Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Plaintiff\u2011side premises liability involves holding property owners accountable when unsafe conditions on their property cause injuries to visitors or guests. A premises liability lawyer can help injured plaintiffs pursue compensation and navigate defenses raised by the property owner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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If you’ve ever been injured while on someone else’s property, you may have a premises liability claim. For example, you may have fallen on iced pavement or had a swimming pool accident at your neighbor’s house. When these accidents occur, you may have a claim against the property owner. These cases require proving the owner\u2019s negligence<\/a>, whether the incident happened in a store, public space, or someone\u2019s home.<\/p>\n

This article explains how premises liability cases work and describes your legal rights. You’ll also learn how an attorney can help with a premises liability claim<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What If I Don’t Want To Sue My Friend?<\/h2>\n

The difficulty with premises liability law is that many plaintiffs don’t want to sue their friend or neighbor. You may not hesitate to pursue legal action if you sustain a serious injury inside a grocery store, amusement park, or public building. Your personal injury attorney can file a claim with the building owner’s insurance company.<\/p>\n

But you may feel differently when a premises liability accident<\/a> happens at a loved one’s home. Raising concerns about a friend or relative\u2019s negligence can feel uncomfortable. After all, most people don’t look forward to suing their friend. You may struggle to balance your recovery needs with your personal relationship.<\/p>\n

It’s important to note that in situations like this, you’re likely filing a claim against their homeowner’s insurance<\/a>\u2014not suing them personally.<\/p>\n

What Is Premises Liability Law?<\/h2>\n

Premises liability is a part of\u00a0tort law<\/a> that addresses injuries plaintiffs sustain while on someone else’s property. For example, if you are grocery shopping and slip on a wet floor, that would fall under premises liability law. The same is true if you’re at a holiday party at your neighbor’s house and fall down the stairs.<\/p>\n

For the courts to hold the property owner liable, the plaintiff must prove negligence<\/a>. This is true for most personal injury cases. The best way to do this is to hire an experienced premises liability lawyer.<\/p>\n

If your attorney can prove negligence, you’ll recover the following types of damages<\/a>:<\/p>\n