If you have been injured while visiting someone else’s property you have a right to file a premises liability claim to recover damages. The best way to prove your claim is to work with an experienced North Carolina premises liability lawyer.
At Bradford Law, we have extensive experience negotiating and litigating premises liability claims. Whether you have been injured on private, commercial, or public property in Charlotte, we know how to hold negligent property owners accountable. Contact our office today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.
What Is Premises Liability?
Under premises liability law, all property owners have a duty to protect visitors from injuries. In North Carolina, there are two categories of visitors: lawful and unlawful. Property owners and managers owe a duty of care to lawful visitors to maintain the safety of their premises and warn visitors about any hazards. For unlawful visitors, including trespassers or those entering the property to commit a crime, the property owner’s only duty is to not willfully cause them harm.
Why You Need a Charlotte Premises Liability Lawyer
Whether you have been injured at a neighbor’s home, the grocery store, on a sidewalk, a public park, or a government building, it takes a knowledgeable premises liability to prove your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. At Bradford Law, we have the skills and experience to prove the necessary elements of a claim:
- The property owner (defendant) owed a duty of care to the plaintiff as a lawful visitor
- The defendant breached their duty by failing to maintain the property in a safe condition or warn visitors about the hazard
- The defendant’s negligence directly caused the plaintiff’s injury
- The plaintiff sustained actual damages (e.g medical expenses, lost wages)
You should know that claims are typically resolved through settlement negotiations with the property owner’s insurance company. If the insurer refuses to pay the full value of your claim, we will file a premises liability lawsuit on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
What Does “Attractive Nuisance” in Premises Liability Mean?
Premises liability law in North Carolina includes the “attractive nuisance” doctrine, which requires property owners to take steps to abate hazards that might be attractive to children. For example, an outdoor swimming pool is considered an attractive nuisance. A landowner must protect children from accidentally drowning by building a fence with a locked gate to make sure that they cannot enter the premises.
Why Choose Us?
At Bradford Law, we have an impressive track record of success in premises liability claims related to all types of accidents and negligence, such as:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites/attacks
- Swimming pool accidents
- Explosions and fires
- Elevator/escalator accidents
- Exposure to hazardous substances (e.g. mold, fumes)
- Assaults due to negligent security
Regardless of the type of premises liability that caused you injuries, we have the skills to hold the negligent property owner accountable. But you must act quickly and contact us as soon as possible – the property owner may attempt to repair the hazard in an attempt to avoid liability. Once you contact our office, we will:
- Investigate and photograph the accident site
- Identify and interview any witnesses, including the property owner
- Collect medical evidence that supports your claim
- Take over communications with the property owner’s insurance company
- Negotiate a fair and just settlement
- File a premises liability lawsuit if necessary
You can depend on us to fight both in and out of the courtroom for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Recoverable Damages in a Premises Liability Claim
Depending on the circumstances, you may be awarded damages such as:
- Medical expenses, rehabilitative care
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You should know that premises liability claims are governed by the state’s rules of contributory negligence. This means that if you are partially at fault for causing your injury (e.g. by not being aware of your surroundings), you will be barred from recovering damages. Trust our legal team to prove the property owner’s negligence, protect you from liability, and help you obtain just compensation.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Cases in North Carolina?
The statute of limitations for premises liability cases is three years from the date of the injury. It is important for an experienced attorney to immediately investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident so that your rights are protected.
Contact Our Experienced North Carolina Premises Liability Attorney
Being injured on someone else’s property can result in mounting medical expenses and lost wages that significantly impact you and your loved ones. This is the time to call Bradford Law. Contact us today so we can start working on your claim.
