What are the most common causes for a premises liability claim in St. Louis?

Our St. Louis Lawyers Explain the Common Causes of Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability claims in St. Louis stem from property owners failing to uphold their responsibility to ensure safe conditions. These claims can arise in various settings, from private residences and businesses to public spaces. Recognizing common causes is essential for property owners aiming to prevent accidents and for those seeking compensation for injuries incurred on someone else’s property.

If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions on a property, knowing your legal rights and options for seeking compensation is essential. At Bollwerk & Associates, LLC, our experienced St. Louis premises liability lawyers are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

Leading Causes of Premises Liability Claims in St. Louis

Premises liability refers to a business or property owner’s responsibility to keep their properties in a safe condition and free of dangerous conditions that could cause individuals that come onto their property harm. There are many ways you could be injured on another’s property that would give you the right to file a premises liability claim. Here are the top causes of premises liability accidents that our legal team at Bollwerk & Associates, LLC helps our clients with:

Slip and fall accidents. The most common type of premises liability accident is a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, these incidents can occur at any time and place. Spills of liquids, defective flooring, asphalt cracks and potholes, and debris in store aisles are some dangerous conditions that could cause you to slip, fall, or trip and hurt yourself.

Dog bites. If a dog owner doesn’t control their dog, it could bite or attack you. In Missouri, dog owners are strictly liable for compensating you for your dog bite injuries, even if there is no evidence that the animal bit someone in the past.

Negligent security. Hotels, parking garages, shopping malls, apartment complexes, and other business and commercial property owners may have a responsibility to protect you from foreseeable crimes. If they breach this duty, our attorneys can help you get damages for your medical bills, wages, and the emotional trauma you suffered due to their negligence.

Chemical exposure. Businesses and property owners have a duty not to expose individuals coming onto their property to harmful chemicals that could cause them to suffer serious medical conditions. We can pursue your claim against the negligent party if you were exposed to toxic chemicals.

What Should You Do if You Were Injured in a St. Louis Premises Liability Accident?

You must prove the business or property owner’s negligence caused your premises liability accident to be entitled to compensation for your injuries under Missouri law. The actions you take right after your accident can directly impact the strength of your claim. Here are crucial initial steps that our premises liability lawyers recommend you take:

#1: File an Accident Report

You should file an accident report with the property or business owner immediately after your premises liability accident. Filing a report puts them on notice of your claim and will help you prove that you were injured on their property if the insurance company disputes this.

#2: Take Care of Your Health Right Away

Even if you believe your injuries are minor enough to tough out or don’t think you were hurt, you should be examined by a physician promptly after your accident. Why is this important? You may not realize you suffered a back, spinal, or traumatic brain injury for days or weeks after the accident. Your injuries could worsen or become life-threatening if they are not treated quickly.

In addition, the insurance company could argue about the cause of your injuries or their severity if you delay getting medical treatment. Don’t give them ammunition to deny your claim or drag out settlement negotiations.

#3: Preserve Evidence at the Accident Scene

You should start collecting evidence that can help you win your case at the scene of your premises liability accident. Take photos of where you were injured, any hazardous conditions that may have caused your accident, and your injuries. Also, get the contact information of the owner, their insurance company, and any eyewitnesses who saw your accident occur.

#4: Consult With an Attorney

One of the most vital first steps you should take is to retain a premises liability lawyer at Bollwerk & Associates, LLC. Here are some of the ways we will fight for your rights:

Gather evidence. We’ll collect the evidence you need, such as business surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, accident records, and medical records, to establish your right to compensation.
Evaluate your claim. Our legal team will give you an honest evaluation of your claim, answer your questions, and explain your options using non-legalese language you can understand.
Communicate with insurers. Our attorneys will take over communications with the insurance company and the process of filing your claim and negotiating your settlement.
File a lawsuit. Our premises liability lawyers will file a lawsuit if the statute of limitations to sue under Missouri Code §516.120(4) is approaching or the insurance company refuses to offer you what you’re entitled to.

Have You Been Injured On Someone Else's Property In The St. Louis Area?

If you've been injured on someone else's property in the St. Louis area you should speak with an experienced premises lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our St. Louis office directly at 314.315.8111 to schedule your free consultation. We help people who have been injured due to the neglect of others throughout the St. Louis area and look forward to helping you.

Bollwerk & Associates, LLC is located in St. Louis, Missouri and serves all of Missouri and Illinois including the following counties, cities, and towns:

St. Louis. St. Louis County: Clayton, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Florissant, Oakville, University City, Mehlville, Wildwood, Ballwin, Affton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Webster Groves, Brentwood, Lemay, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Manchester, Town and Country, Ferguson, Glendale, Creve Coeur, Maplewood, Bridgeton, Ladue, Jennings, Saint Ann. Jefferson County: Arnold, Festus, Murphy, Barnhart, De Soto, Fenton, Byrnes Mill. St. Charles County: O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, Weldon Spring. Franklin County: Washington, Union, Sullivan, Pacific, Saint Clair. Warren County: Warrenton, Wright City. Lincoln County: Troy, Elsberry, Moscow Mills. Boone County: Columbia. Randolph County: Moberly, Huntsville. Southern Illinois.