Middle Tennessee Premises Liability Lawyers You Can Rely On
Whenever someone opens their property to visitors, they take on an implicit legal responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe for those visitors to walk around in and use for its intended purpose. If a lawful visitor then gets hurt because of a hazardous condition on that property, the owner or manager may bear civil liability for the visitor’s resulting damages.
However, successfully recovering civil compensation under premises liability law can be a difficult endeavor, even in the best of circumstances. It is always worth speaking with our qualified personal liability lawyers at Miller Injury Firm before trying to pursue such a case by yourself. Our attorneys can explain how state law applies to your situation, determine whether you have valid grounds for a case and work tirelessly on your behalf to maximize available compensation.
When Are Property Owners Liable For Dangerous Property Conditions?
Under Tennessee premises liability law, property owners and managers in Middle Tennessee must adhere to a “reasonable owner standard” when it comes to protecting lawful visitors on their property from harm. This means the property owner must provide a level of care for their premises and its lawful visitors that any other reasonable property owner would under the same circumstances.
However, what constitutes “reasonable” care of property can vary depending on a myriad of factors, the most paramount being the purpose a plot of land or piece of property is meant to serve. For example, the landlord of an apartment complex would have a reasonable responsibility to ensure each apartment they rent out is in a safe condition before a tenant moves in, as well as to promptly fix any problems a tenant notifies them of. Conversely, a parking lot owner might only need to check their lot for potholes and ensure the proper placement and visibility of traffic signs and markings.
Even the broader area surrounding the property can have an impact on the duty of care the property’s owner owes to visitors. For instance, the owner of a retail store in an area known for high crime rates might be reasonably expected to provide security for their property like fencing, good lighting, security cameras and potentially even security guards.
Our dedicated premises liability lawyers could investigate the property you were hurt on to determine if the owner or manager failed to meet their duty of care.
Common Types Of Premises Liability Matters
Many types of dangerous property conditions can result in premises liability claims such as:
- Swimming pool accidents such as tragic drownings
- Slips, trips and falls resulting from any number of hazards
- Falling objects such as broken tree branches that should have been trimmed
- Dog bites and other animal attacks
- Deck collapses and other structural hazards
- Violent crimes resulting from negligent security
Our attorneys handle all of these cases and more.
Can You Still Recover Damages If You Were Also At Fault?
Even if a property owner is at fault for a condition that led to you suffering an injury, you may not be able to recover as much compensation – or any compensation at all – if you also bear some portion of fault for your accident. This is because of the modified comparative fault systems that state courts follow when ruling on personal injury claims, and insurance companies and defense lawyers tend to lean on as well during private settlement negotiations.
According to court precedent, civil courts have the authority to proportionally reduce your final damage award based on the percentage of fault you are found to bear for causing or exacerbating your injuries. Furthermore, any plaintiff found 50 percent or more to blame for an incident is ineligible to file suit in the first place. Our lawyers at Miller Injury Firm can help you contest allegations of comparative fault if you were harmed on dangerous property in the area.
Talk To Our Lawyers About Your Premises Liability Case Today | Free Consultations
Accidents that occur on someone else’s property can often make for complicated civil cases, especially if you have little to no prior experience with premises liability law. Given how damaging these kinds of accidents can be, attempting to handle the case on your own could result in you not recovering the full amount you are due. Retaining a skilled premises liability lawyer at our firm boosts your chances of a favorable case outcome.
Call Miller Injury Firm today at 615-922-5693 or reach out to us online to discuss your legal options. We handle premises liability cases throughout Middle Tennessee from our offices in Brentwood, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Lebanon.