Accidents happen every day, in all types of environments. Regardless of whether they occur in residential homes, office buildings, restaurants, factories, or government buildings, these incidents can lead to serious physical injuries and high medical expenses. Often, a property owner could have prevented these injuries by fixing the unsafe conditions, but they failed to do so. If you were injured in an accident on someone else’s property in Connecticut, you may have grounds to file a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner.
To establish that the property owner should be held liable for your injuries, you must prove that they knew or should have known about an unsafe condition and did nothing to remedy the danger. This can be difficult to do. Rather than trying to handle the case yourself, you should seek out the services of an attorney with experience in cases like yours.
A skilled and experienced Hartford premises liability lawyer from Jainchill & Beckert, LLC can help guide you through the complexities of your case and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your situation in a free initial consultation.
What Is Connecticut’s Premises Liability Law?
Connecticut’s premises liability law defines the responsibility of property owners to maintain safe conditions. When a person is injured on someone else’s property, the property owner’s liability depends on whether that person is an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser.
Who Is Protected by Connecticut Premises Liability Laws?
Connecticut law requires property owners to protect three different categories of visitors from potential injury:
- Invitees are on the premises to do business.
- Licensees have permission to be on the property but are not there to do business.
- Trespassers do not have permission to be on the property.
The property owner owes the highest duty of care to invitees. They must warn invitees of any potential dangers and take steps to minimize the risk, such as posting signs and blocking off dangerous areas of the property. The owner must also repair any hazards promptly to protect invitees from potential harm.
The property owner also owes a duty of care to licensees, although less than to invitees. Licensees could include friends, family members, utility workers, or members of the public who stop in for some reason. The property owner must post warnings to protect licensees from any hidden dangers.
In most circumstances, a property owner cannot be held liable for accidental injuries to a trespasser. However, even though trespassers are on the property illegally, the property owner may still be liable in some situations. For example, a property owner may not intentionally set traps to harm trespassers. If they do, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. The owner should also fix or block off any known dangers that may affect children, such as a swimming pool. Even if they are trespassing, the property owner still has a duty of care to protect children from harm.
What Must I Prove to Hold Someone Liable for the Accident?
To hold someone liable for a premises liability accident, you must establish liability and then prove negligence on their part.
To establish liability in a premises liability lawsuit, you must prove:
- There was an unsafe condition on the property.
- The owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition.
- The owner did not take adequate steps to address the problem or warn you.
- You suffered injuries and losses directly because of the unsafe condition.
What Types of Premises Liability Accidents Happen in Hartford?
Typical premises liability cases in Hartford, Connecticut, include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Animal attacks
- Burns caused by chemical spills or fires
- Swimming pool accidents
- Stairway accidents
- Assaults due to inadequate security
- Accidents caused by bad lighting
What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured on Someone’s Property?
If you suffer injuries on someone else’s property, take the following steps immediately:
- Get medical attention for your injuries.
- Inform the property owner about the accident.
- Take photos or videos to document the scene of the accident.
- Keep all your medical records and other documentation.
- Contact a Hartford premises liability attorney right away.
There are also some things you should avoid. You shouldn’t post on social media, especially about your injury. Don’t make comments minimizing your injuries to the property owner or the insurance company, either. Remember, the property owner and their insurer do not want to pay for your injuries if there is any way they can help it. Don’t make the case easier for them by playing down the severity of your injuries. They will use this information to avoid compensating you for your losses. Contact our Hartford premises liability lawyer today.
Does Connecticut Have a Time Limit for Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
Under Connecticut law, you have two years to file a premises liability claim, starting with the accident date or when you discovered the injury. Two years might seem like a long time. But if you’re dealing with the consequences of an injury, the time can pass more quickly than you realize. If you want to protect your right to compensation, you should contact a Hartford premises liability lawyer as soon as possible.
Contacting a premises liability attorney promptly will also make it easier for your attorney to gather crucial evidence, such as video surveillance footage before it becomes lost forever.
Contact a Hartford Premises Liability Lawyer
Don’t let the negligence of an irresponsible property owner cause you suffering and other problems without compensation. If you were injured in a premises liability accident because the property owner failed to post warning signs or fix a dangerous condition, you deserve compensation and accountability.
Premises liability cases can be complicated because of the difficulty in proving what the owner did or didn’t know. Don’t try to take on this challenging task yourself. A skilled premises liability attorney can do the hard work for you, giving you the space to focus on healing from your injuries.
The premises liability lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC have the experience to handle even the most challenging premises liability cases. We treat every client with dignity, respect, and personal attention. If you’ve suffered injuries in a premises liability accident in Connecticut, contact Jainchill & Beckert, LLC today to discuss your case in a free consultation.
