If you’ve been injured on a property other than your own in the Lehigh Valley, you should contact Bethlehem premises liability lawyers right away. In Pennsylvania, every property owner or manager is expected to keep their property safe and free of hazards for lawful visitors, guests, and invitees.
When a homeowner, property manager, or business owner fails to maintain safe conditions, and a visitor is injured as a result, they may be held legally responsible. Under state law, victims may be entitled to financial compensation for losses caused by the accident.
If you or a loved one were injured on someone else’s property in the Lehigh Valley, you may have a Bethlehem premises liability case. The experienced premises liability lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are knowledgeable about these cases and have won numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Munley Law can review your situation and explain your legal rights. Contact us for a free consultation.
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Call Us At 844-686-5397 Understanding Premises Liability in Bethlehem, PA
A premises liability claim in Bethlehem arises when a person is injured due to an unsafe or hazardous condition on someone else’s property. Before filing a claim, it’s critical to identify what type of visitor you were at the time of the accident, because Pennsylvania law determines the property owner’s duty of care based on your status.
The premises liability visitor categories in Pennsylvania are as follows:
- Invitee: A person who has permission to be on the property for business reasons (e.g., a store customer). Invitees are owed the highest duty of care.
- Licensee: A person who has permission to be on the property for a personal or social activity, such as a cocktail party or a meeting.
- Trespasser: Someone who enters without permission or authorization. In most cases, trespassers are owed minimal duty of care, though exceptions can apply, such as the attractive nuisance law for children.
The property visitor category can sometimes be fluid, in that someone may step foot onto the property as an invitee and then become a trespasser. For example, someone can go to a mall and then step into an out-of-bounds area. Upon entering the restricted area, the invitee became a trespasser.
Differentiating between the various categories of visitors is central to every premises liability case in Lehigh Valley, PA.
What Types of Liability Cases are Common in Bethlehem, PA?
Premises liability cases in Bethlehem and throughout Pennsylvania often cover a wide range of accidents. To know if your situation qualifies as a premises liability claim or lawsuit, see the list below:
- Slip-and-fall accidents (one of the most common types of premises liability claims nationwide, with 5,283 fatalities reported in 2023)
- Trip-and-fall accidents
- Dog bites, or other animal attacks
- Defective, broken, or cracked walkways causing trip- or slip-and-fall accidents
- Poor property security or maintenance
- Lacking warning signs on the property
- Inadequate property maintenance resulting in the buildup of debris, fluids, or ice hazards
- Injuries sustained at the workplace
- Poor or lacking lighting in parking areas, stairs, or walkways
- Drowning or pool accidents
- Gas or chemical leaks
- Carbon monoxide leakages
- Amusement park accidents
- Elevator or escalator accidents
- Construction site accidents or hazards
- Falling objects and structural collapse
These are some of the major causes of premises liability cases in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. If your injury occurred on another property but isn’t listed here, please feel free to contact us so we can assess if you have a unique premises liability claim.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you determine if you have a valid case and the best course of action for you. Over the past six decades, through trial experience, hard work, and dedication to our clients, our attorneys have earned national recognition as leaders in personal injury law.
Our firm has secured record-setting verdicts and multi-million-dollar settlements, contributing to more than $1 billion in total client compensation across personal injury practice areas. Munley Law lawyers are consistently recognized for excellence, earning repeated inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and multiple Super Lawyers honors.
Munley Law’s partners are listed among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, one of the nation’s premier plaintiff rankings. Our trial victories include landmark recoveries for seriously injured clients, underscoring our ability to handle complex liability and negligence claims with skill, tenacity, and strategic advocacy.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
Who is Liable in a Premises Liability Case in Bethlehem, PA?
Each premises liability case’s outcome depends on proving negligence. To prove that the property owner or manager was negligent, four factors must be demonstrated:
- Duty of Care: The owner owed a duty to keep the premises safe based on your visitor classification.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The owner failed to take reasonable steps to address or warn about known hazards.
- Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused your injury.
- Damages: You suffered losses as a result of your injury.
Pennsylvania also uses a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for the injury. Additionally, proving negligence takes considerable resources.
It may also be necessary to file the claim against multiple parties, rather than just the property owner or supervisor. However, you may not be aware that there are multiple liable parties involved until you hire Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
That’s why you need a law firm that can deploy the staff and resources to prove these four elements. Munley Law’s legal team, along with our network of investigators, medical personnel, and industry experts, can devote ourselves to making sure that you get what’s due to you.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Bethlehem Premises Liability Case?
If you have been injured on another person’s property, you may be able to seek and recover damages. Depending on the severity of your injury and the success of your claim, you may be able to recover the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future income
- Physical impairment and disability costs
- Mental and emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
To build a successful claim, you’ll need a very experienced legal professional on your side who understands how to navigate the tricky terrain of premises liability in Pennsylvania. Our Bethlehem premises liability lawyers can help you secure the compensation that you deserve.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability in Bethlehem, PA
What Must I Do if I am Injured on Someone’s Premises in Bethlehem, PA?
If you’re injured on someone else’s property, seek medical attention right away and report the incident to the property owner or manager. Then, document the scene (digital photos and videos work best) and contact an experienced Bethlehem premises liability lawyer to protect your rights and explore your legal options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Bethlehem, PA?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability claim, though certain exceptions may apply.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, as Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault, though your compensation may be reduced.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Premises Liability Case?
Liable parties may include property owners, landlords, business owners, property management companies, or maintenance contractors responsible for the unsafe conditions.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Premises Liability Claim?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, and long-term disability costs.
Do I Need a Bethlehem Premises Liability Lawyer to Make a Claim?
While not required, an experienced Bethlehem premises liability lawyer can help investigate the accident, prove negligence, deal with insurers, and pursue maximum compensation.
Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Munley Law offers a free initial consultation for every premises liability case. Our qualified lawyers are always available to attend to you and assess your case. We are a no-win-no-fee firm that’s dedicated to helping you secure your future.
With almost seven decades of experience, we have successfully won numerous premises liability cases for our clients.
Talk to the experienced lawyers of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys about your case. Call 844-303-7321 toll-free or fill in our contact form today.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
