Suffering an injury on someone else’s property could be grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. If you were harmed recently due to a property owner’s negligence, contact a Bala Cynwyd premises liability lawyer. You might be able to recover damages depending on your right to be on the property and the circumstances surrounding your harm.
An experienced personal injury attorney could review your case and determine your rights to legal recourse. You could potentially recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Types of Premises Visitors in Bala Cynwyd
In Pennsylvania, visitors fall into three distinct categories. Depending on a claimant’s visitor status, they may be able to file a claim against a negligent property owner with the help of a local attorney. The three categories include:
- Invitees — people who have implied or express permission to enter the property for the benefit of the landowner, such as shoppers, and restaurant patrons
- Licensees — people who enter the property for social or business purposes not beneficial to the owner, such as friends, family, or solicitors
- Trespassers — people who enter property without the owner’s permission
Duty of Care of Property Owners in Bala Cynwyd
Landowners in Pennsylvania legally owe varying degrees of care to invited guests and licensees. For invitees, the owner must inspect the property for potential hazards and remove them if possible. If the hazards remain on the property for any reason, the owner must put up signage and other warning materials, such as tape or fencing, to maintain safe premises. In terms of licensees, property owners must at least use warning signs and related materials to protect these people from harm.
One of the most common premises liability cases attorneys in Bala Cynwyd see are slip and falls, often caused by failing to remove tripping or slipping hazards. Dog bites also fall under property liability, when a landowner allows a dangerous dog to remain unfenced.
Attractive Nuisance Exceptions
Trespassers do not enjoy as much legal protection, since property owners only need to prevent reckless or willful behavior that endangers these individuals. Children are usually exempt from trespassing penalties under “attractive nuisance” laws. A property without regulation fencing surrounding a pool, for example, can attract young children who do not understand the dangers involved. Dogs and farm animals allowed to roam on properties without leashes or fencing also function as attractive nuisances, as do lakes and farm equipment.
Since children are not mentally and emotionally mature enough to recognize potentially dangerous situations and environments, it becomes the property owner’s responsibility to eliminate attractive nuisances with fencing and similar means.
Speak with a Bala Cynwyd Premises Liability Attorney Today
If you sustained injuries on another person’s property, call a Bala Cynwyd premises liability lawyer right away. Whether the injuries occurred because of poor lighting, icy or slippery floors, missing railings, loose carpeting, dangerous dogs, broken stairs, or any other hazard that breached duty of care, our team of attorneys could help you seek damages to ease the recovery process. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation and determine your eligibility for compensation.
