The Wilkes-Barre premises liability attorneys at Munley Law represent individuals who suffered severe injury or death as a result of unsafe conditions at another person’s property or place of business. We will hold the negligent homeowner, landlord, business owner, or proprietor accountable for failing to maintain adequate safety on their premises.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has protected the rights of injured individuals in Wilkes-Barre and throughout Luzerne County. Our lawyers are routinely honored by the American Association of Justice, National Trial Lawyers, and other institutions. They’ve also received the highest ratings offered by Martindale-Hubbell, been named to Top Lawyer lists, and helped clients recover more than $1 billion in damages. Let us handle the premises liability cases on your behalf so you can recover from your injury with peace of mind.
Chat live, fill out our contact form, or call for a free consultation with our Wilkes-Barre personal injury lawyers. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Compensation is Available for a Premises Liability Accident in Wilkes-Barre?
You have rights as a renter, customer, client, or visitor on someone else’s property. By law, the property owner must ensure their premises are reasonably safe and free of potential hazards. They assume liability if they fail to do so and someone becomes injured. Who will hold them accountable? That’s where we can help with your premises liability cases. Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre lawyers will hold them responsible for their negligence and work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Different types of compensation are available in premises liability accident cases, depending on the circumstances. For example, you may receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Rehab expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
Premises-related injuries may include accidents at work, in retail or grocery stores, amusement parks, arenas, theaters, colleges, schools, Mohegan Sun Casino, parking lots, homes, or anywhere else you have a right to be in the Wilkes-Barre area. However, negligent landlords or business owners sometimes cut corners regarding safety or deny responsibility when something goes wrong. Our Pennsylvania premises liability lawyers won’t let them get away with that.
How Do You Know If You Have a Premises Liability Case in Wilkes-Barre?
Injuring yourself on someone else’s property doesn’t automatically mean you have grounds to file a premises liability case. You may have a case if:
- The property owner was responsible for the unsafe condition that caused your injury.
- The property owner was aware of the hazardous condition but failed to correct it. (Fix a problem or post a warning sign about the danger)
- The property owner should have been aware of the danger, as a “reasonable” person would have identified the problem and taken steps to correct it.
Each personal injury case is different. If you suffered an injury in the Wilkes-Barre area of Luzerne County, contact the Wilkes-Barre premises liability lawyers at Munley Law for a free case evaluation. We will review the details of your situation and assist you in determining the next steps.
What are the Common Types of Premises Liability Injury Cases in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The Wilkes-Barre accident attorneys at Munley Law have decades of experience handling many premises liability cases. Listed below are some of the most common.
Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents are extremely common and can cause very serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and extended recovery time. Common examples of slip and fall accidents include slipping on a wet floor in a restaurant or on an icy sidewalk in front of a store. A business owner may have failed to keep up with proper safety codes and regulations or failed to correct the dangerous conditions leading to an accident. Serious injuries can occur from slip, trip, and fall accidents, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, head and neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries. According to the National Safety Council, falls were the leading cause of preventable non-fatal injuries in the U.S. in 2023, with more than 8.8 million people treated for fall-related injuries in hospital emergency rooms that year.
Construction Site Accidents: Construction sites in Wilkes-Barre, PA, can be dangerous places for workers, visitors, and passersby. There is a high volume of new construction in the Wilkes-Barre area and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, where accidents can happen for many reasons. Construction accident injuries can include amputation, head trauma, neck or spinal cord injuries, electrocution and burns, fractures, eye injuries, or hearing loss. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the construction industry reported 7,973 workplace illnesses and injuries across the state in 2024. Construction site accidents usually involve the negligence of the building owner, contractor, or subcontractor hired to maintain the area safely.
Fires/Explosions/Electrocution Accidents: Fire-related injuries can be severe, from serious burns or smoke inhalation to fatalities. When a fire or explosion occurs, it is crucial to determine the cause. Was it due to poorly maintained or faulty electrical work, lack of working smoke detectors, lack of a sprinkler system, clutter, or another unsafe condition? Were pathways exiting the building obstructed? When negligent maintenance or oversight leads to preventable accidents, victims may have grounds for a negligence claim in Wilkes-Barre.
Poisoning/Toxic Exposure: Toxic chemical exposure can occur in a hotel, apartment, health club, or other building. When you become ill because of toxic exposure, our law firm can help you seek compensation against the Northeast Pennsylvania business, employer, or private entity that was negligent in the care of their facility.
Falling Merchandise or Debris: Merchandise that falls from high racks in stores such as Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, or Home Depot can cause serious injury to anyone struck by it. This can include shoppers and employees. Debris can also cause serious damage when falling at a construction site or from another building where construction work is being done. If you or a loved one was in such an accident, make sure to contact our personal injury attorneys before talking to insurance companies.
Negligent Security: If a customer, patron, or tenant is injured due to a lack of security, the property owner may be held liable under Pennsylvania liability laws. Examples of negligent security can include a bar, concert, or nightclub assault, a parking lot robbery, an ATM robbery, an assault on a college campus, in a hotel, at a sports stadium, or at a public garage, among other things. Causes of injury may be inadequate lighting, lack of security or surveillance cameras, untrained or insufficient staff, non-working locks, or other dangerous conditions.
Dog Bites: Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their pets from causing harm to others. A State Farm/Insurance Information Institute report revealed that Pennsylvania had the fifth-highest number of dog bite claims (1,004) and the second-highest average cost per claim ($88,668) in the U.S. In many cases, the dog owner or landlord is liable for damages. A Wilkes-Barre premises liability lawyer can perform an investigation and determine who bears responsibility.
Swimming Pool Accidents: From 2017 to 2019, an estimated 6,700 children under 15 years old were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for nonfatal injuries. Sadly, every year, people are seriously injured or drown in swimming pool accidents. According to the National Safety Council, drowning claimed 3,983 lives in 2023, making it the fifth leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. The most common victims are children, leaving families devastated. Swimming pool accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, head and neck injuries, internal injuries, and even wrongful death. Swimming pool accidents usually involve a pool that was constructed improperly, not maintained, or not supervised sufficiently. Depending on the circumstances, different parties may be liable for the injuries.
Contact us for a free consultation if you are unsure whether your injury qualifies as a premises liability claim.
The Wilkes-Barre Property Owner Says I Was Trespassing. Can I Still Sue?
Under Pennsylvania premises liability laws, if the party reporting injuries from the unkempt property was trespassing, they are not protected under premises liability law. However, if the injured party is a child, this exclusion does not apply.
Anything on someone’s property (swimming pool, tree, etc.) that may entice a child to enter the property may be considered an attractive nuisance. When these conditions exist on a property, the owner must identify and implement protective measures to protect a child from injury.
This may include fences and other protective barriers. Should these protective measures not be in place, the injured child’s parents may be able to sue for injuries.
From day one, our property liability lawyers will work with you to establish an attorney-client relationship and bring a personal injury claim forward.
“For more than three generations, our family has been fighting for justice. It’s more than a career choice—it’s written into our DNA.”
Robert W. Munley, III
What to Do If You Are Injured on Someone’s Property in Wilkes-Barre
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, seeking medical assistance as soon as possible is essential. Once you have received the necessary medical attention, document the scene by taking pictures of where the injury occurred and any potential hazards that may have contributed to the incident. If feasible, report your injury to the property owner and complete an incident report to create an official record of the event.
As you undergo treatment for your injuries, keep thorough documentation of all medical expenses, treatments, and any time missed from work due to the incident. These records will be essential when seeking compensation for your losses.
To ensure that your rights are protected and to maximize your chances of obtaining fair compensation, contact a Wilkes-Barre premises liability lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will assess your case and guide you through the legal process, working tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your situation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County?
In Pennsylvania, under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, you have up to two years after the incident to file a personal injury claim. Even though that may seem like a long time, evidence can easily disappear in that time period. The quicker you contact our law firm, the more likely we are to preserve that evidence and protect your rights.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Injuries?
It depends on where the accident occurred. If you were injured at a business, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the business owner and/or the property owner. If you were injured at a neighbor’s home, the neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance is responsible for your injuries. It can be difficult to figure out who the responsible party may be, which is why you need a Wilkes-Barre personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim.
Our Wilkes-Barre Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help
Even when you have serious injuries, you must prove not only that the dangerous condition caused your accident, but that the property owner’s negligence created the hazard. Determining negligence and responsibility in a premises liability case is not an easy task. That is why it is imperative that you hire an experienced premises liability lawyer to represent you and fight for your rights. The personal injury lawyers at Munley Law have successfully fought and won millions for injured victims.
Thanks to Marion Munley’s tireless efforts, the estate and surviving family members of a worker who died in a construction site accident received a $1.5 million settlement, and a warehouse worker received a $1 million jury verdict for a workplace accident resulting in serious injuries to his foot. Marion is currently the Vice President of the American Association for Justice and has received several awards from the association, such as the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Marie Lambert Award and the Board of Governors Outstanding Achievement Award. Mackenzie Wilson received the association’s New Lawyers Division Excellence Award. Together with Caroline Munley, Marion is a member of the International Society of Barristers, and along with Daniel Munley, is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. All our lawyers have been named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers and have received honors from Best Lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Premises Liability Cases in Wilkes-Barre
What Qualifies as a Premises Liability Accident in Wilkes-Barre?
A premises liability accident in Wilkes-Barre is any accident that occurs when someone is injured due to unsafe or hazardous conditions on another person’s property. This includes incidents in homes, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, casinos, schools, construction sites, parking lots, and other places. Common examples of these accidents include slip and falls, fires, toxic exposure, falling merchandise, dog bites, and negligent security incidents. If the property owner failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions or ignored known hazards, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Premises Liability Injury?
You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages after a premises liability injury. These may include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of the negligence involved, and how the accident has affected your life. Munley Law’s premises liability lawyers can evaluate your case and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Wilkes-Barre Premises Liability Case?
You know you may have a valid Wilkes-Barre premises liability case if the property owner created the dangerous condition, knew about the hazards but failed to fix it or warn visitors, or the hazard should have been discovered and corrected by a reasonably responsible property owner. Given that each case is unique, the best way to confirm whether you have a premises liability claim is to consult an experienced premises liability lawyer at Munley Law.
Can I Still File a Premises Liability Claim if the Property Owner Says I Was Trespassing?
You might not be able to file a premises liability claim if the property owner says you were trespassing. Generally, Pennsylvania law does not offer the same protections to adult trespassers as it does to lawful visitors. However, there is an important exception for children. If an attractive nuisance, such as a swimming pool or abandoned structure, entices a child onto the property, the owner may still be held liable for the resulting injuries if they failed to take reasonable steps to secure the area.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, you usually have two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability claim in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While this may seem like plenty of time, evidence can disappear, surveillance footage may be deleted, conditions may be repaired, and witnesses’ memories can fade. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of preserving important evidence and protecting your rights.
Get Expert Legal Representation from Munley Law
Consult with an experienced Wilkes-Barre premises liability lawyer for a no-obligation, free initial consultation today. Our legal team will answer your questions, evaluate your case, and discuss your legal options. If you choose to hire Munley Law to represent you, you pay nothing upfront or out of your own pocket. We only collect a fee (a percentage of the settlement or award) if we succeed in getting you the justice you deserve. That’s our no-fee promise. Contact us now.
Robert W. Munley, III
Robert W. Munley, III is a seasoned personal injury attorney and award-winning courtroom advocate. While he regularly handles a range of personal injury cases, his focus is on truck accidents and workers’ compensation cases. Bob has served thousands of accident victims and workers, winning them millions with his bold advocacy.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on February 16, 2026.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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