Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers | Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

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 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.

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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.

What are the Types of Premises Liability Claims in Philadelphia?

There are many different types of premises liability cases. It is in your best interest to find a lawyer who has experience not only with premises cases but with your specific type of claim. For instance, an injury lawyer who has handled slip and falls against a grocery store might not have the experience to successfully handle something more rare, like chlorine gas poisoning.

Situations that may result in a premises liability claim include falls, animal attacks, burns, drowning, toxic exposure, and more. Slip and fall cases are among the most common types of premises liability cases. In fact, more than eight million people are admitted to the emergency room for falls each year. Falls can occur at a private residence, a rental property, or a public place. Common causes of falls include a wet floor, an icy sidewalk, a poorly maintained parking lot, or a deteriorating staircase. A slip and fall in Philadelphia can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, and even serious traumatic brain injuries. It can be difficult to get compensation after a fall on someone’s property so it’s wise to speak with an experienced Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys 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.

Other common types of premises liability cases that Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can assist with include:

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 Personal Injury Attorneys 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.

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.

This is why it is important to have an experienced injury lawyer on your side. The Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have been representing accident victims in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and the surrounding areas for nearly 60 years. Our premises liability attorneys are experienced in holding property owners accountable for dangerous conditions, and we have a proven record of success in insurance settlement negotiations and at trial. We handle cases against individual homeowners and landlords as well as large companies, amusement parks, hotels, and other powerful entities.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys does not charge for our services unless we win your premises liability case. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and we will help you make the important decisions at every step along the way. If the property owner’s insurance company offers a settlement, we will help you understand whether the offer is a fair representation of your losses. If you do not receive a fair offer and decide to go to court, we will execute an aggressive case strategy designed to secure an appropriate verdict from the judge or jury.

When you need to seek financial compensation for a premises-related injury, your choice of injury lawyer matters. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has the experience and track record you need to feel confident in the outcome of your premises liability claim.

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. In order 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 in a Premises Liability Lawsuit for Personal Injury?

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 different types of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Property owners owe a different duty of care to different types 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

Both invitees and licensees are owed a duty of care by the property owner. When an 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 Personal Injury Attorneys 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 Personal Injury Attorneys 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.

For example, if you are a delivery driver and you suffer a serious fall on badly maintained stairs when making a delivery to a business, that business may be held responsible for your injury. A Philadelphia premises liability lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you decide on the course of action that will result in the best outcome for you.

Q: Does Pennsylvania Have a “One Bite Rule” for Dog Bite Claims? What is the One Bite Rule?

Yes, Pennsylvania has a “one bit 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.

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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.

Personal Injury Claims We Handle in Philadelphia, PA:

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Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

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