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You could have the legal right to collect compensation after suffering an injury while on the property of another person. This type of claim would fall under premises liability. Property owners or managers are responsible for keeping their property free from hazards so that the guests who enter the premises are safe. They must check their property regularly for any potential hazards and make repairs as quickly as possible.
Potential dangers include torn or bunched carpets, damage to concrete in the parking lot, loose railings, or ice and water that may cause a person to slip and sustain injuries. If you suffered injuries on someone else’s property, a trustworthy personal injury attorney could help you investigate and build a strong claim. Call a Tacoma premises liability lawyer to schedule a time to discuss your situation.
Three Categories of Visitors in Premises Liability Law
Property visitors fall within three categories and the liability of the owner will depend significantly on how the plaintiff is classified. A Tacoma premises liability injury attorney could review the claim and help a person determine which category of visitor they fall within.
Invitee
Invitees enter a premise because the owner or person responsible has invited them there. The invitation is generally for commercial purposes. Examples of an invitee are a person shopping at a mall or grocery store. The owner owes the invitee the highest level of care and must ensure their property is safe and hazard-free; and if a hazard is found, then they must rectify it immediately or put out a visible warning.
Licensee
A licensee is an individual who enters a property with permission but is not there for business purposes. An example of a licensee visitor is a neighbor or friend who visits the property for a social gathering. The person responsible for the property owes the licensee the second highest duty of care when they enter the property.
Trespasser
A trespasser enters a person’s property without permission. An example of a trespasser would be a person who enters a property to commit a crime, although not every trespasser has nefarious intent. The property owner does not owe a trespasser any duty of care to ensure they are safe. When people choose to trespass on private property, they assume all risks and damages for potential harm and injuries. However, property owners cannot purposely leave hazards to harm trespassers.
The Attractive Nuisance Statute
An attractive nuisance presents an exception to the trespasser rule. If a child has access to private property and enters because of something that attracts them, such as a pool, the property owner could still be accountable if they sustain injuries.
Per Washington Practice Series 120.04, if the person has an attractive nuisance on their property and a child enters because they failed to secure the premises, they could be liable for the losses that the child sustains. A dangerous property attorney in Tacoma could answer questions on attractive nuisance and other state statutes.
Meet With a Tacoma Premises Liability Attorney Today
Premises liability injuries can be severe and change your life in an instant. If your accident happened because of a careless property owner, you might have the right to collect compensation for the losses that followed. Premises liability claims are complex and require a deep level of understanding of civil law and litigation.
A skilled legal professional could help you through the process while you focus on recovery. If you sustained injuries because of a careless property owner, contact an experienced Tacoma premises liability lawyer right away to begin your claim.
