Okemos Premises Liability Attorneys
Helping You Recover Compensation for Injuries
When you visit a business or someone else’s property, you expect that the property is safe and free from hazards. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim to recover compensation for your injuries.
At Grewal Law PLLC, our Okemos premises liability lawyers have extensive experience handling these types of cases. We understand the complexities of premises liability law and can help you navigate the legal process. Our team is committed to providing you with the compassionate and personalized legal representation you deserve.
Call us today at (517) 245-0700 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our premises liability attorneys in Okemos, MI.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for certain injuries that occur on their property. In Michigan, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe and free from hazards. When a property owner fails to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.
There are three main types of visitors that can enter a property:
- Invitees
- Licensees
- Trespassers
Michigan law treats each type of visitor differently when it comes to premises liability claims.
Invitees
An invitee is someone who is invited onto the property for the financial benefit of the property owner. This includes customers at a store or restaurant. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. They must inspect the property for any hazards and either fix the hazard or warn the invitee about the hazard. If a property owner fails to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.
Licensees
A licensee is someone who is invited onto the property for a non-financial reason. This includes social guests. Property owners owe a slightly lower duty of care to licensees. They must warn licensees about any hazards on the property that the licensee is unlikely to discover on their own. However, they do not have to inspect the property for hazards. If a property owner fails to warn a licensee about a hazard, they can be held accountable for any injuries.
Trespassers
A trespasser is someone who enters the property without permission. Property owners owe the lowest duty of care to trespassers. They do not have to warn trespassers about any hazards on the property. However, they cannot intentionally harm a trespasser. If a property owner intentionally harms a trespasser, they can be held liable for any injuries.
Common Types of Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability claims can arise from a wide range of accidents and injuries. At Grewal Law PLLC, our premises liability attorneys in Michigan have experience handling all types of premises liability claims.
Some of the most common types of premises liability claims include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Snow and ice accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Insufficient security
- Lead paint poisoning
- Dog bites
- Assault and battery
Proving Negligence in a Premises Liability Case
To recover compensation in a premises liability case, you must be able to prove that the property owner was negligent. This means that you must be able to prove that the property owner failed to keep the property reasonably safe and free from hazards.
To prove negligence, you must be able to prove the following elements:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care
- The property owner breached the duty of care
- The breach of the duty of care caused your injuries
- You suffered damages as a result of your injuries
Our Okemos premises liability attorneys can help you gather the evidence you need to prove negligence. We can help you gather evidence such as surveillance footage, accident reports, and witness statements. We can also help you find expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability?
In Michigan, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability claim. If you fail to file a claim within this time frame, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. Additionally, if the victim was mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Premises Liability Case?
If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. This can include both economic and non-economic damages.
Some of the most common types of damages awarded in a premises liability case include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
If the property owner’s conduct was especially egregious, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are meant to punish the wrongdoer.
Why You Need a Premises Liability Lawyer in Okemos, MI
If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. However, recovering compensation in a premises liability case can be challenging. You will need to prove that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. You will also need to gather evidence to support your claim. This can be difficult to do on your own, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries.
At Grewal Law PLLC, our premises liability attorneys in Okemos can help you build a strong case. We can help you gather the evidence you need to prove negligence and can handle all of the legal aspects of your case. We can also help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If the insurance company is not willing to offer a fair settlement, we can take your case to court.
Contact us today at (517) 245-0700 to let our firm help you maximize your award or settlement.