If you were injured on someone else’s property, you might be wondering what to do next. Under Texas premises liability laws, property owners have a legal obligation to keep their land clear of hazards and other dangerous conditions. If a private property owner was negligent in addressing an issue on their land, leading to your injuries, you could file a lawsuit for damages.
A McAllen private property premises liability lawyer could help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries and other losses related to the accident. A successful settlement or lawsuit could reimburse you for the cost of your medical care, lost income, and mental anguish. To learn more about your legal rights and remedies, schedule a consultation with a local premises liability attorney.
Types of Private Property Premises Liability Claims
When hazards or other dangerous conditions are left unaddressed, visitors on private property can experience serious injuries. Some common types of accidents that may lead to private property liability include:
- Building collapses
- Dog or animal bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Property maintenance issues
- Falls on defective decks or steps
Under Texas’ premises liability laws, someone who has been injured can sue a landowner who was negligent in maintaining or addressing dangerous conditions on their land. Simply being injured on someone else’s property does not mean that negligence was a factor. Proving negligence in a premises liability case requires evidence that the private property owner had notice of the dangerous condition, making it helpful to work with an experienced McAllen attorney.
Legal Duties of Private Property Owners
In Texas, a property owner’s legal obligation depends on a guest’s purpose for visiting. There are three general categories of guests in premises liability cases.
Invitees
An individual who is on the property for the benefit of the owner, usually in a business context. This could include customers and other patrons of business or commercial properties. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care from property owners; owners must ensure the property is safe from dangerous conditions and warn of any known hazards.
Licensees
When a property owner gives someone permission to be on their land, they are a licensee. A common example of a licensee is a social guest. Property owners have a duty to warn licensees of any known dangers but do not have an affirmative obligation to inspect for hazards.
Trespassers
Someone who enters another person’s property without permission is trespassing. Property owners do not owe a legal duty to adult trespassers, although they could be liable for a child trespasser’s injuries under the attractive nuisance doctrine.
In premises liability cases, whether the injury occurred on public, commercial, or private property is an important factor as it determines the landowner’s legal duty to their guest. In private property premises liability cases, the injured person is often a licensee, meaning that the property owner invited them to the property for their own benefit. On the other hand, it is important to remember that private property owners in Texas are not liable for a trespasser’s injuries. When someone gets hurt on private property, they should discuss the possibility of filing a premises liability case with a lawyer in McAllen.
Meet With a McAllen Private Property Premises Liability Attorney
Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe for guests. If you were injured because a private property owner failed to ensure your safety, you may be able to pursue financial compensation. Ask a McAllen private property premises liability lawyer about your legal rights and potential remedies. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact KGS Law Group.