Corpus Christi Premises Liability Attorneys

Fighting for Premises Liability Accident Victims in Corpus Christi, TX

Dangerous property conditions can result in a variety of injuries, some of which are reasonably preventable, which is why property owners have a legal obligation to maintain reasonably safe premises. When a property owner fails to adequately maintain their property and this negligence leads to an accident, they can be held accountable through a premises liability lawsuit. 

At Hilliard Law, we believe that negligent property owners must be held responsible for failing to address hazardous conditions that cause serious injuries. Our Corpus Christi premises liability lawyers are skilled negotiators and fierce litigators who are prepared to go the distance to ensure our clients get the full compensation they are entitled to under the law. We take a rigorous, detail-oriented approach to every case, thoroughly investigating the circumstances and preserving the evidence needed to build a strong claim. With a proven track record of success, we know how to effectively fight for you, and if we take your case, you will owe us nothing unless we win. 

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you should not wait to explore your legal options. 

Schedule a free initial consultation by calling (361) 882-1612 or contacting us online today.

Understanding Premises Liability in Corpus Christi, TX

Premises liability is a legal concept that comes into play in personal injury cases where the injury was caused by some type of unsafe or defective condition on someone's property. The fundamental principle behind this concept is that property owners, or non-owners who are in possession of a property, have a duty to maintain safe conditions on their property and warn visitors or tenants of existing, known hazards. If a property owner fails to meet this responsibility and someone is injured as a result, the owner could be held liable for the injured party's injuries and other losses. However, a property owner’s legal obligation to visitors can be complicated by Texas’s classification system. 

In Texas, premises liability law classifies individuals visiting a property into three categories, each of which is owed a different duty of care by the property owner:

• Invitees. These are individuals who enter a property for the mutual benefit of themselves and the property owner, such as customers in a store. The property owner owes the highest duty of care to invitees. They are required to keep the premises reasonably safe and warn the invitee of any non-obvious, dangerous conditions that the owner knows about or reasonably should know about.
• Licensees. These visitors enter the property with the owner's consent but for their own benefit, like a social guest. The owner must warn licensees of any dangerous conditions that the owner is aware of and that the licensee is not likely to discover on their own. 
• Trespassers. Trespassers enter the property without the owner's permission. Property owners owe a minimal duty to trespassers, mainly to refrain from causing intentional harm.

These varying levels of duty tied to visitor classification can greatly impact the outcome of a premises liability case. Our Corpus Christi premises liability attorneys can help you understand your rights and options after suffering an injury on someone else’s property. 

Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Corpus Christi, TX

Dangerous hazards, if left unattended, can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to serious, life-altering conditions. Many types of dangerous conditions can lead to premises liability accidents. For example, a slippery floor or loose carpet can lead to a fall, resulting in broken bones or severe head trauma. Similarly, poorly maintained electrical systems can cause fires, leading to burns or smoke inhalation injuries. Even less obvious hazards, like exposure to toxic substances, can lead to long-term health complications, such as respiratory issues or cancer.

Property owners have a responsibility to either resolve these hazards or adequately warn visitors about them. Regular inspections and maintenance are critical in identifying potential problems before they lead to accidents. This might involve repairing broken staircases, installing adequate lighting in dimly lit areas, or removing hazardous materials from the property.

In cases where hazards cannot be immediately resolved, it is the property owner's duty to warn visitors. This can be accomplished through visible signage warning of the potential danger or by verbally informing visitors about the hazard. Ignoring these responsibilities not only puts visitors at risk but also exposes the property owner to potential premises liability lawsuits.

Our Corpus Christi premises liability lawyers are ready to fight for you in many types of complex cases, including those involving:

• Slips and falls. A slip and fall is a deceptively dangerous type of premises liability accident that can be caused by a variety of hazards. These may include (but are not limited to) wet or icy surfaces, uneven flooring or sidewalks, loose carpeting or rugs, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, or a lack of handrails on stairs. The injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents can range from relatively minor to catastrophic. Minor injuries may include bruises, scrapes, or sprains, while more severe injuries can consist of fractures, head injuries like concussions, spinal cord injuries, or even wrongful death in the most tragic cases.
• Negligent security. Negligent security is a specific type of premises liability where a property owner fails to provide reasonable security measures, consequently leading to a situation where visitors or tenants become victims of violent crimes or theft. Property owners have an obligation to take appropriate steps to keep their premises safe from foreseeable crimes. This could involve maintaining sufficient lighting, installing security cameras, hiring security personnel, or implementing locks and secure entry points. A property owner could be held liable for negligent security if they fail to take these measures and a visitor or tenant is harmed as a result of a crime that could have been reasonably prevented. However, proving negligent security requires illustrating that the crime was foreseeable (meaning similar incidents have occurred on or near the property in the past) and that the property owner was aware or should have been aware of this yet failed to implement reasonable security measures.
• Swimming pool accidents. Swimming pools, while offering a source of enjoyment and recreation, also present a host of potential dangers. A lack of proper fencing or barriers around a pool can lead to unsupervised access and preventable accidents, particularly by children who are unable to adequately swim. Inadequate or unclear depth markers can result in diving accidents, while slippery pool decks can cause slips and falls. Malfunctioning pool drains can lead to entrapment underwater, and poor water quality can trigger illnesses. A lack of appropriate safety equipment such as life rings or pool hooks can result in devastating consequences in the event of an emergency. In any of these instances, a property owner becomes liable for a swimming pool accident when it can be proven that they were negligent in maintaining their pool in a reasonably safe condition or failed to provide adequate warnings about known hazards.
• Elevator and escalator accidents. These accidents can occur due to various reasons, including mechanical failure, improper installation, poor maintenance, or faulty design. A property owner becomes liable for elevator or escalator accidents when it can be demonstrated that they failed to ensure these facilities were in a reasonably safe condition. They have a responsibility to facilitate regular maintenance and inspections, correct known faults, and ensure that the installation of such equipment is done accurately and safely. If the property owner knew or should have known about an issue with an elevator or escalator and failed to address it or warn visitors, they could be deemed negligent for any resulting injuries.
• Dog bites. In Texas, premises liability for dog bites is not as straightforward as other types of premises liability cases. A dog owner can only be held liable for bites or attacks if the victim can prove that the owner knew the dog had acted aggressively or had bitten someone in the past. This requirement is usually met by establishing that the owner was aware of the dog's previous incidents of biting or aggressive behavior but failed to take proper precautionary measures. Failure to adequately restrain such a dog is generally considered a failure to exercise reasonable care in these cases. Our Corpus Christi premises liability lawyers understand how to successfully approach these matters and can help you hold negligent pet owners accountable.
• Fires. Property owners must adhere to all applicable fire safety regulations. This encompasses installing and maintaining appropriate fire alarms and extinguishers, ensuring the electrical wiring and systems are up to code, and implementing suitable evacuation protocols. A property owner becomes liable for fire-related injuries, including burn injuries, if they failed to comply with required safety regulations or if they knew or should have reasonably known about a fire hazard on their property and didn't take appropriate steps to rectify it or warn visitors. For example, if a property owner neglected to replace faulty wiring known to be a fire risk and a visitor is injured in a fire caused by the faulty wiring, the owner could be held accountable.
• Exposure to toxic substances. A property owner becomes liable for toxic exposure when it can be demonstrated that they knowingly allowed harmful substances on their premises and failed to properly handle or warn visitors about them. Toxic substances can include mold, lead, asbestos, or hazardous chemicals. Prolonged or intense exposure to these toxins can lead to serious health issues such as respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, and cancer.

Discuss your options for recovering compensation today by calling (361) 882-1612 or contacting us online.