Connecticut Premises Liability Attorneys
Businesses and private property owners, as well as municipal and state governments, have an obligation to ensure that their property does not present an undue danger to the physical well-being of people entering the property.
If you are injured due to a hazardous condition on private or public property, you may be able to bring a legal claim seeking compensation for your injuries. This type of lawsuit is called a premises liability lawsuit.
Some more common types of premises liability lawsuits include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Ice-and-snow cases
- Injuries from falling merchandise
- Assaults caused in part by negligent or inadequate security
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Dramshop liquor liability
Premises liability lawsuits can be complicated, and you should seek independent legal advice before accepting any settlement offer from the responsible party or an insurance company. Otherwise, you run the risk of accepting a settlement that will fall short of meeting all your financial needs after a premises liability accident.
Successful Law Firm Handling Premises Liability Lawsuits
Since 1988, the law firm of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., has vigorously represented the rights of injured people throughout the state of Connecticut. We successfully handle a wide range of injury cases, including premises liability claims.
Over the course of more than 30 years of practice, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. To learn more about these cases, please see our Cases & Verdicts page.
In a premises liability lawsuit, our job is to thoroughly research your case, work with medical and financial experts to build a strong and complete picture of your current and future financial needs, and present your case in the best possible light. With every step we take, our goal is to obtain the highest possible settlement or jury verdict on your behalf.
How it Works
Contingency Fees
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we handle all Premises Liability cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.
Questions
Premises Liability FAQs
What is premises liability?
Under the doctrine of premises liability, property owners can be legally responsible for injuries that occur on their property (premises). However, owners are not automatically liable for every accident or injury.
- There must be some lasting injury. For instance, if you fell but were not seriously harmed (merely shocked or embarrassed), there would be no damages.
- There must be a dangerous condition. It could be an unseen hazard, neglected maintenance, code violations, poor security, or failure to supervise.
- There must be notice or knowledge. It must be proven that the owner knew or should have known of the danger and failed to warn people or correct the unsafe condition in timely fashion.
Are all property owners liable?
Commercial property owners have a duty to provide safe conditions for their patrons and the general public. Residential landlords have a duty to their renters as well as visitors. Homeowners can be liable if the person had a lawful reason to be on the property.
Government entities are not immune to premises liability lawsuits. However, in Connecticut, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident to preserve your right to sue a municipality, school district, county or the state.
What are some examples of premises liability?
The most common premises liability claim is a slip-and-fall accident: slipping or tripping because of an unsafe property condition, such as a floor spill, icy sidewalk, uneven sidewalk or broken handrail.
Other examples include fires, hazardous exposures, falling objects, swimming pool accidents, playground injuries, animal attacks, and assaults or sexual assaults.
What damages can I recover?
You deserve to be compensated for all medical care arising from your injury, including any rehab or surgery. Any lasting disability or disfigurement is compensable. If you missed work while recovering, you can be reimbursed for those wages. Personal property that was damaged (such as a smartphone) should be replaced. Lastly, you are entitled to damages for your pain and suffering.
What are the defenses against premises liability?
Property owners may contest whether the injuries are serious or whether the injuries even occurred on their property. They may argue that the hazardous condition was open and obvious. They may argue there was no notice or reasonable opportunity to discover and fix the problem. They may argue that the victim was trespassing or caused their own injury through careless or reckless actions.
Are dog bites covered by premises liability?
Special laws apply. Pet owners are strictly liable(automatically liable), whether the attack occurs on or off the owner’s property. See our Dog Bites page.
Do I need a lawyer?
Technically speaking, no. However, the average person may make mistakes in presenting the claim or simply not be taken seriously by the property owner and their insurance carrier.
In a free consultation, our personal injury attorneys can determine if you have grounds to sue. If we take your case, we do all the investigative work and you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.