Munley Law’s Pittsburgh premises liability lawyers bring experienced advocacy when unsafe property conditions cause serious injuries. As attorneys with deep roots in Pennsylvania, we help clients hold negligent property owners accountable and pursue full compensation after preventable accidents.
For nearly seven decades, our family-run firm has built a national reputation for excellence in personal injury law, earning recognition for record-setting verdicts and leadership roles in organizations such as the American Association for Justice. We’ve secured millions for injured clients and are known for taking on complex, high-stakes cases.
When you work with us, you get a dedicated lawyer and legal team that prepares every case for trial and treats you like family. We understand Pennsylvania liability laws and know how to prove negligence in these cases.
Our Pittsburgh lawyers will explain how your premises liability claim will work, and what you can do and expect regarding the recovery of damages.
Contact us for a free consultation today.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Is a Premises Liability Case in Pittsburgh, PA?
Premises liability cases arise when someone is injured due to unsafe or hazardous conditions on another person’s property. These claims are based on negligence – when a property owner fails to maintain reasonably safe conditions.
Common examples include slip and falls, dog bites, unsafe structures, and exposure to toxic substances. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over 800,000 patients are hospitalized annually due to fall injuries, making falls one of the leading causes of injury in the U.S.
What Must You Prove to Win a Premises Liability Claim in Pittsburgh?
In order to win your case, you will need to prove the defendant’s negligence. To do so, you must show four elements:
Duty – To show duty, you must show that the defendant was required to take certain steps to make the premises safe
Breach – In order to show a defendant’s breach, you must show that the property or business owner failed to keep the premises safe as required.
Causation – To prove causation, you must show that the defendant’s failure to keep their premises safe caused your injuries.
Damages – To show damages, you must prove your injury and other harm.
A Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer at Munley Law can prove these elements for you in order to make your case and win you the compensation you deserve.
What Duties Do Property Owners Owe to Visitors in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, landowners’ and business owners‘ duties depend on who is entering the premises. In Pennsylvania, as in many other states, there are three kinds categories of premises “guest”: trespassers, licensees, and invitees.
How Are Trespassers, Licensees, and Invitees Treated Under the Law?
Each category is treated slightly differently:
Trespassers
When a person enters onto a premises without permission, they are a “trespasser.” Because land and business owners barely owe any duties to trespassers (except to avoid intentional harm), trespassers are unlikely to win their lawsuits.
Licensee
Unlike a trespasser, a licensee is a person who enters onto property for social reasons. For example, if you host a dinner party, your friends are licensees. Likewise, if you host a holiday at your house, the family members who come to celebrate are also licensees. For licensees, property, and business owners, there is a duty to warn about any known hazards. However, they do not have any duty to inspect for or repair any dangerous conditions on the premises.
Invitees
Of the three categories, landowners and business owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. An invitee is a person with permission to be on the property for business purposes. For example, a customer is an invitee of a retail store.
For invitees, defendants have a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. Additionally, they must repair or warn about dangerous conditions that the defendant knew or should have known about.
Why Choose Munley Law for a Premises Liability Case in Pittsburgh?
If you suffered injuries in an accident at a business or someone else’s home, you need a premises liability lawyer who won’t back down. Although you have a lot of options, there is only one law firm that can call itself the nation’s leading personal injury firm. There is only one Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
In 1959, Robert W. Munley founded Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys in Scranton, Pennsylvania. From the start, he had a simple mission: provide everyone with quality legal representation and access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. Over the last seven decades, our family and law firm have grown, but our promise and iron-clad commitment to our clients remains the same.
Time and time again, injury victims choose Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for their liability case because:
- We won’t get paid unless you do: At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we use a “contingency fee” model. Under this model, we will never send you a bill while we are fighting your case. Additionally, we will only get paid if we win big for you. If we don’t get you any compensation, you will walk away without ever paying us a dime.
- Our results speak for themselves: To learn more about the millions we win for our clients, schedule your free consultation today.
- We will fight for you the way we’d fight for our own: Because we consider all of our clients part of our family, you will get the Munley family treatment 100% of the time. We will fight your case the way we would want someone to fight for us. That means we won’t back down until you are satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability Claims in Pittsburgh
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability in Pennsylvania?
In most premises liability cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation. Some exceptions may apply, but they are limited. Acting early protects your rights.
What If the Accident Happened at a Business?
Businesses owe a high duty of care to customers. They must regularly inspect and address hazards or provide warnings. Failure to do so can result in liability. Many premises liability claims arise from retail stores, restaurants, and public venues.
Can I Sue for Injuries on Government Property?
Yes, but claims against government entities follow different rules. There are strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines. Liability may also be limited under sovereign immunity laws. These cases require experienced legal handling.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Premises Accident?
Seek medical attention first, even if injuries seem minor. Report the incident to the property owner or manager. Take photos of the scene before it is cleared or repaired, and gather witness information, if possible. Then, contact a premises liability lawyer to evaluate your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Premises Liability Claim?
While not legally required, having a lawyer significantly improves your chances of success. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. An experienced attorney understands how to prove negligence and negotiate effectively. We handle the legal burden so you can focus on recovery.
How Soon Should I Contact a Lawyer After an Accident?
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear quickly, and witnesses may forget details. Early legal involvement strengthens your case and helps ensure you meet Pennsylvania’s legal deadlines.
What Types of Accidents Fall Under Premises Liability?
Premises liability claims cover a wide range of incidents. In the United States, the most common types of premises liability cases are:
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Drowning
- Bridge Collapses
- Amusement Park Ride accidents
- Power Line Injuries
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Chlorine Gas Poisoning
- Asbestos Exposure
- Venue Liability
Contact Our Award-Winning Pittsburgh Premises Liability Attorneys
When you hire a Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you get award-winning representation from the nation’s leading personal injury law firm. Still, we never forget our Pennsylvania roots. All these years later, we still treat every client as part of the Munley family.
To see the difference a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer will make in your fight for maximum compensation, call us today.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is an experienced and award-winning personal injury lawyer and is a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA), Lawdragon, and has been a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. A member of the International Society of Barristers, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident, commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims.
