Premises Liability Attorney Holding Property Owners In Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Accountable

Accidents can happen in unexpected places. It might be a slippery floor at the grocery store, a poorly lit parking lot or an unleashed dog in a neighbor’s yard. If you are suffering from injuries due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, know that you have the right to seek compensation. Under Texas law, property owners must ensure their property is safe for their customers or visitors. Premises liability holds these owners accountable when their failure to meet this duty leads to injury.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex attorney with over 15 years of experience in personal injury, I am familiar with the challenges you may be facing. You may be struggling to prove the property owner’s responsibility for the accident. You might also be facing insurance companies trying to blame you for the accident to reduce what they owe.

As a solo practitioner at Rob Henry Attorney At Law, I will handle your case directly and advocate for you at every step of the process. Whether it’s conducting initial investigations or representing you during settlement negotiations, I will make sure you receive fair treatment and the compensation you rightfully deserve.

What Qualifies As Premises Liability In Texas

While premises liability can encompass many scenarios, some of the most common types of cases include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents: These occur due to hazards like wet floors or uneven surfaces, and owners must regularly inspect and address such dangers
• Inadequate security claims: Property owners can be held accountable if their failure to provide sufficient security leads to foreseeable criminal acts and injuries
• Dog bites and animal attacks: Owners can be liable for injuries caused by their pets if they knew of the animal’s aggression or failed to control it

It’s important to note that the specific level of care property owners owe to visitors varies based on their legal status when on the property. Owners have a duty to inspect for and address hazards for “invitees,” who are usually on the property for business purposes. They can be customers in a grocery store or patients visiting a doctor’s office.

“Licensees” are guests with permission. They are on the property for their own purpose, and owners must warn them of known dangers they are unlikely to discover. They may be a friend visiting your home for dinner or a delivery person dropping off a package. For individuals who enter the property without permission (“trespassers”), owners generally owe them a limited duty of care, which means they only need to avoid intentional harm.

Proving A Premises Liability Claim

Proving that the property owner’s carelessness led to your injury is a key factor in a successful claim. This requires providing evidence that shows:

• The property owner was negligent: The owner failed to keep their property reasonably safe or didn’t fix dangers they knew about, or should have known about, such as not cleaning up a spill, not fixing a broken stair, or not providing enough security
• These unsafe conditions caused your injury: For example, if a slippery floor caused you to fall, you need to show that the slippery floor, not something else, was the reason for your injury
• The owner owed you a duty of care: The specific duty of care depends on your legal status (invitee, licensee or trespasser) on the property under Texas law

An experienced premises liability attorney can help you build a strong case. I will collect important evidence like accident reports, surveillance videos and witness statements that you might not be able to get on your own. I also know how to challenge common arguments from property owners and insurance companies, which greatly helps prove their negligence.

Types Of Compensation You May Receive

If your claim is successful, you may be able to receive various types of compensation for your losses, such as:

• Medical expenses: All costs related to your treatment, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation and any ongoing medical care you may need
• Pain and suffering: This addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, discomfort and overall negative impact the injury has had on your daily life
• Lost wages: If your injury prevented you from working, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve already lost and any future earning capacity that has been affected

You have around two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in court. While you can start a claim with an insurance company earlier, this two-year deadline is critical for protecting your legal rights. Missing it means you could lose your ability to pursue compensation entirely. As your premises liability attorney, I will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies and work to secure full compensation for your injuries.

Common Questions About Texas Premises Liability

Those who suffer injuries on unsafe property need clear information. Understanding your rights under Texas premises liability law is critical to a successful case. Below, I provide direct answers to the questions injured victims often ask.

What is the Texas statute of limitations for a premises liability claim?

Texas generally requires the injured person to file a premises liability lawsuit within two years of the date of the incident. This filing window is strictly enforced, and courts usually dismiss claims submitted after the deadline, regardless of the severity of the injury or the strength of the evidence.

Acting promptly allows your lawyer to thoroughly investigate the scene, preserve witness statements and secure records before they become difficult to obtain. Early action helps ensure important details about the hazardous condition are documented before the property is changed or repaired.

I was partially at fault for the incident. Can I still file a premises liability claim?

Yes, as long as you are less than 50%t at fault. Texas uses a comparative fault system, which permits an injured person to pursue damages even if they share responsibility. However, the final award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned. For instance, if you are found 20% responsible, you may still receive 80% of the total damages.

Unfortunately, if you are deemed more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover compensation. This makes an accurate assessment of your case essential. Evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records and witness accounts can help clarify how each party contributed to the incident.

How does a slip-and-fall case differ from a premises liability case?

A slip and fall is one type of premises liability claim, but the broader category includes many other unsafe property conditions. Slip-and-fall incidents often involve hazards like wet floors, loose carpeting or uneven surfaces, while general premises liability also covers issues like falling merchandise, inadequate lighting, negligent security and structural defects.

Each type of claim hinges on whether a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to keep the area safe for lawful visitors. In both cases, demonstrating property owner negligence is the key to success. I can help you find and preserve the evidence necessary to secure just compensation no matter how your premises liability injury arose.

Don’t Face The Legal Process Alone: Call Rob Henry Attorney At Law

Complicated legal processes or aggressive insurance companies should not stand between you and your recovery. Let a trusted premises liability attorney advocate for your rights. Contact my Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex office today to discuss your situation. I also offer free phone consultations. Call 817-591-2738 or fill out my contact form here.