Premises Liability Attorney in Athens

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, an Athens premises liability lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC may be able to help you seek compensation.

Premises liability is common grounds for injury lawsuits. Premises liability lawsuits hold property owners responsible for injuries or damages resulting from a negligent owner failing to keep their property reasonably safe.

We Have Some of the Best Premises Liability Lawyers in Athens

If you have been injured on someone else’s property in Athens, Georgia, and that injury may have been a result of the property owner’s negligence, you may have a viable premises liability claim. An experienced Athens premises liability attorney at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can help you understand all of your legal options and ensure your legal rights remain protected.

Contact our Athens personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

Types of Premises Liability Lawsuits

There are many different types of premises liability lawsuits that an injured person may bring against the property owner of the place where they were injured. These include, for example:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Swimming pool accidents
• Inadequate premise maintenance or conditions
• Inadequate security on-premises that led to assault or injury
• Dog bites or other animal attacks
• Fire-related injuries

In Georgia, premises liability injuries can occur almost anywhere – ranging from apartment buildings to private homes to malls and even worksites – just to name a few.

What Are Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents in Athens?

Premise liability claims suggest that the owner of the property’s negligence played a role in the injured person’s accident. That means if the property owner did not take steps that most reasonable people would take to ensure the property was safe, he or she may be negligent.

Some common causes of premise liability claims include:

• Inadequate maintenance including loose or broken floors or steps, defective staircases, collapsed decks and balconies, or damaged handrails
• Structural defects
• Hazards such as accumulation of ice or snow, wet and oily floors, hidden extension cords, or unsecured rugs
• Inadequate building security such as unlocked doors or no doormen or security guards
• Swimming pools without fencing
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic materials such as mold and lead paint

If you have been injured on someone else’s property in Athens but are not sure if it could be a result of negligence, contact an Athens premises liability lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC to discuss your situation.

What Types of Injuries Are Commonly Caused by Premises Liability Accidents?

Some common injuries that are associated with premises liability claims include:

• Head injuries – Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries frequently occur due to slip and fall cases or falling objects.
• Musculoskeletal injuries – These types of serious injuries can include any injuries to tendons, joints, ligaments, muscles, or other soft tissues.
• Broken bones – Broken or fractured bones are often a result of slip and fall or from activities that lacked appropriate supervision.
• Internal organ damage – In some severe cases, slip and fall victims suffer from internal organ damage.

Many of these injuries may have a long-lasting impact on the injured person. A knowledgeable Athens premises liability attorney may work with the injured person to help them pursue the compensation they have a legal right to receive under the law.

Elements of a Successful Premises Liability Case in Athens, Georgia

A successful premises liability case can prove that:

• The property contained danger.
• The property owner was aware of the danger or should have been aware through regular upkeep.
• The property owner did not take steps to remove the danger or warn people of it.
• The danger led to an injury.

Georgia law differentiates property owners’ responsibilities depending on the type of property visitor – whether the visitor is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.

Invitee

An invitee refers to anyone who has entered the property through invitation, such as someone shopping at a mall or a guest at a pool party. The property owner must address any existing dangers on the property, check for any hazards, and warn visitors about non-obvious dangers.

Licensee

A licensee refers to anyone who has been given the property owner’s permission to enter the property but is coming for their own purposes, such as a salesperson. The property owner has less responsibility towards licensees than invitees but has a duty to warn the licensee of any dangerous conditions they know about and that the licensee is unlikely to recognize on their own.

Trespasser

A trespasser refers to anyone who is on the property without permission. In these cases, the property owner owes no duty to the trespasser unless the trespasser is a child in certain circumstances.

What About Premises Liability Accidents Involving Children in Athens?

In Georgia, the attractive nuisance doctrine recognizes that children may gravitate toward dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. The law protects them if they are injured while trespassing to play on an unsecured hazard.

For example, unattended swimming pools or trampolines may attract children. In this scenario, the property owner is responsible for addressing any hazards that may attract or injure children. The attractive nuisance doctrine may hold the property owner liable if they are aware or should be aware that it is likely children will trespass, are aware of the hazard’s existence, and if trespassing children are not aware of the danger posed.

The attractive nuisance doctrine only applies when the child is a trespasser. If the injured child is a guest on the owner’s property, the property owner may still be held liable, but the attractive nuisance doctrine is not applicable.

When Should You Get the Help of an Athens Premises Liability Lawyer?

If you have suffered injuries on someone else’s property as a result of the property owner’s negligence, you may have a viable premises liability claim and may be entitled to compensation. An Athens premises liability lawyer can help you determine what you may be eligible to receive, guide you through the intricacies of premises liability laws, and support you throughout your case.

Contact our compassionate and experienced Athens premises liability attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC now for a free consultation.