Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Philadelphia, you may be entitled to compensation. Under Pennsylvania law, it is the property owner’s job to keep their guests and visitors from getting hurt. By filing a premises liability claim, people who get hurt can get money for their injuries and other losses. “Premises liability” is a type of personal injury lawsuit against the owner of a property where someone was injured.

As the injured victim, you will need to prove that the property owner was negligent. This is where a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer  at Munley Law can help. If you were hurt on someone else’s property or place of business, contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation.

How Do You Know If You Have a Premises Liability Claim in Philadelphia?

In Pennsylvania, it is the responsibility of property owners and managers to make sure that their visitors and residents live in a safe place. Moreover, the city of Philadelphia has its own Property Maintenance Code that aims to protect residents and visitors from unsafe conditions. The city code lists a number of things that can make a building unsafe, such as weather damage, insufficient fire protection systems, and unfit ways to get out of the building.

If a hazard appears on the property, the owner must remedy the problem and provide adequate warning to visitors until it can be fixed. Failure to do so can result in a premises liability lawsuit. A premises liability lawsuit can stem from all kinds of injuries that occur on someone else’s property, from a slip and fall to an animal attack or toxic exposure.

Regardless of what type of injury you suffered, you will need to prove the following elements in order to bring a successful claim:

Duty: You will need to prove that the property owner owed you a duty of care. The duty that a property owner owes to another person depends on that person’s status as a visitor. Under the law, there are three types of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Trespassers are the only class of visitor to whom property owners do not owe a duty, except to refrain from intentionally inflicting injury. As long as you were on the property lawfully, the owner owes you a reasonable duty of care.

Violation: You will need to show that the property owner violated the duty of care. This might mean you must present evidence of a dangerous condition or hazard.

Causation: You will need to demonstrate that the owner’s lack of care directly resulted in the injury.

Damages: Finally, you will need to prove that the injury resulted in damages. Damages can include economic losses like medical bills and lost wages as well as non-economic losses like emotional distress, PTSD, and altered quality of life.

Premises Liability Claims in Philadelphia

You need a lawyer with specific experience in your type of premises liability case. A lawyer who handles grocery store slip and falls may not have expertise in cases like chlorine gas poisoning.

Common premises liability claims include:

• Falls (most common)
• Animal attacks
• Burns
• Drowning
• Toxic exposure

Slip and fall accidents account for over 8 million emergency room visits yearly. They can happen at private homes, rental properties, or public places, often caused by wet floors, icy sidewalks, poorly maintained parking lots, or damaged staircases. These accidents can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. Getting compensation after a fall on someone’s property can be difficult, so it’s wise to speak with an experienced Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer at Munley Law to protect your rights.

Another common type of premise liability claim that we handle are dog bites. Dog owners in the city of Philadelphia have a responsibility to maintain control of their animals and prevent them from causing harm to another person. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are responsible. Dog bites can cause serious injuries and permanent scarring, especially in young children. When a dog attacks, you will need the help of a Philadelphia dog bite lawyer to get compensation you need following the incident.

The Philadelphia premises liability attorneys at Munley Law also handle:

• Exposure to mold, asbestos, or other chemicals
• Swimming pool accidents
• Amusement park injuries
• Inadequate security

If you are unsure whether you need a lawyer for your Philadelphia premises liability claim, contact Munley Law  for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your situation and answer your questions free of charge.

How Can Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorneys Help My Case with a Liability Claim?

You should not have to bear the cost of injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. A premises liability lawsuit can help you recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, premise liability cases can be complicated.

Common Challenges in Premises Liability Claims

Victims often face challenges to their claims:

• The defendant may argue that you knew about the hazard and should have taken care to avoid it
• They may argue that they did not know about the hazard and therefore could not have been expected to fix it
• They may even attempt to blame you for the accident

Every case is different, and your right to recover compensation will depend on your unique circumstances. Having the right lawyer on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

Munley Law has 65 years of experience representing accident victims in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas. The firm has established a proven track record of success in both insurance settlements and trials. Their attorneys are experienced in holding all types of property owners accountable, including individual homeowners, landlords, large companies, amusement parks, hotels, and other powerful entities.

Contingency Fees

The firm operates on a contingency fee structure, meaning clients pay nothing unless their case is won. Munley Law offers a free and confidential initial consultation to all potential clients. Their attorneys provide guidance through all decision-making steps of the case, including expert evaluation of insurance settlement offers. When fair settlements aren’t offered, they implement aggressive court strategies designed to secure appropriate verdicts.

The experience and established track record of Munley Law provides clients with confidence in their premises liability claim outcomes.

What Are the Time Limits on a Philadelphia Premises Liability Case?

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. After two years have elapsed, you will be barred from bringing any legal action. Two years may sound like a lot, but in the legal world, things take time. For your case to be successful, we will need to conduct a full investigation, work with medical experts to assess the full extent of your damages, and take necessary steps within the court system.

The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can begin this process. And, of course, critical pieces of evidence can be lost or destroyed in the days and weeks following your injury. A lawyer can take immediate action to preserve evidence and prevent spoliation.

Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, there’s no risk in contacting us for a consultation. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and advise you on what to do next.

FAQs with Our Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorneys

Q: What should I do if I get injured at someone else’s home?

The first thing you should do if you are injured at someone else’s home is to seek medical treatment. Neck, back, and closed-head injuries can go undiagnosed and cause complications if not examined and treated early. Keep careful records of all medical bills. If at all possible, take photos of the defect or hazard that caused your injury.

Call a premises liability attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to learn more about the claims process.

Q: Who can I sue for personal injury in a premises liability lawsuit?

If you were injured at someone else’s home or a business in Philadelphia, you may be worried about getting into a legal dispute. However, the insurance company will cover premises-related accidents, and your claim will most likely involve an insurance settlement that does not result in any direct out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner or tenant.

Premises liability law recognizes three types of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Property owners owe a different duty of care for different kinds of visitors:

• Invitees include patrons, customers, or invited guests
• Licensees include other people with implied or explicit permission to enter the premises, such as maintenance workers or salespeople.

The property owner owes both invitees and licensees a duty of care. When an invitee or licensee is injured due to unsafe conditions on the property, the owner may be held liable. The only category of visitor not typically considered to be owed a duty of care is that of a trespasser or someone who has entered the property unlawfully. If you were trespassing, you will most likely not be able to sue for injuries you suffered on the property. The only exception to this rule is for children.

Q: Are all businesses liable for their customers’ and patrons’ injuries because of negligence?

In broad terms, yes. Pennsylvania’s premises liability law does not distinguish between different types of businesses, and commercial property owners owe the greatest duty to protect their visitors. We handle premises liability claims against all types of businesses in the Philadelphia area, including:

• Amusement parks
• Construction sites
• Gyms
• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Industrial centers and warehouses
• Restaurants and bars
• Philadelphia sports and entertainment venues
• Supermarkets and big box stores
• Private residences, rental properties, and Airbnbs
• Professional offices
• Public facilities

Q: How do I prove that I was injured as a result of a hazardous condition on someone else’s property?

If possible, take photos of the place where you fell or the conditions that led to your accident; these are important to premises liability cases. Document any correspondence you have with the business or property owner regarding the incident. Make sure you fill out an incident report with the business so there is a record of the accident. Also, make note of any video cameras that may have captured the accident and try to get contact information from witnesses.

The most important thing you can do to prove premises liability cases is to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Munley Law can quickly conduct an investigation and preserve any key evidence that proves your legal rights. We can also refer you to a trusted medical professional who can establish the cause of your injuries, and we can help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your financial recovery.

Q: What if the property owner claims they did not know about the hazard on the premises?

It’s very common for defendant property owners to claim that they were not aware of the hazard on their property and therefore should not be held responsible. This is one reason why it is extremely important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. A personal injury attorney at Munley Law can investigate and recover evidence to show that the property owner had been made aware of the hazard, or that they should have known of its existence.

If you informed your landlord or the property owner about a hazard on the premises, be sure to document that conversation and the date that it occurred.

Q: What if my premises injury occurred while I was working?

If you were injured while working, you should report the injury to your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. However, if someone other than your employer was responsible for the negligence that caused your injury, you may also be able to pursue a third-party claim against the property owner.

Q: Does Pennsylvania have a “One Bite Rule” for dog bite claims?

Yes, Pennsylvania has a “one bite rule” when it comes to dog bite injuries.  This means that if you were bitten by a dog in Philadelphia,  you do not need to prove that the dog has a history of biting people in order to pursue a claim for financial compensation.  Dog owners should always take appropriate steps to maintain control of their pets and prevent dog bites. When they fail to do so, they can be held legally accountable.

Call for a Free Consultation with our Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney

At Munley Law, we handle all premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we win your case. There are no costs to you unless we secure compensation for your injuries. This arrangement allows injured victims to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation, ensuring everyone can pursue justice following a premises liability accident in Philadelphia

If you would like to speak with one of our Philadelphia premises liability lawyers, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule an appointment at your convenience, please call or submit your case online today.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747