Houston Premises Liability Lawyers

You have a reasonable expectation of safety when you’re living in, working on, or visiting someone else’s property. If the property owner hasn’t properly maintained the space and you’re injured, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Premises liability is the field of law covering the rules property owners must follow to keep guests and tenants safe. At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, our practice specializes in helping clients pursue premises liability cases so they can pay for medical bills and other expenses due to their injury. If you’ve been injured and are considering a premises liability suit, call us at (713) 659-4000 today for a free consultation.

Why Hire A Premises Liability Attorney?

If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a negligent property owner, management, staff member, or another party, you should contact an experienced injury lawyer right away. While your injury claim may seem straightforward, it’s important to speak with someone who knows the ins and outs of premises liability law. Property owners are expected to address or warn people of potentially dangerous conditions, and there may be specific requirements depending on the types of building, individual dangers, and so on.

To successfully prove a premises liability claim, there are several things a plaintiff must show. First, they must prove that there were dangerous or hazardous conditions on the property. The plaintiff must then demonstrate that these dangerous conditions caused or contributed to their injury, that the property owner was aware or should have been aware of the dangers, and that the owner did not make the property safe from the hazards. A knowledgeable lawyer will take a look at the facts of your case and the relevant regulations, then advise you on whether or not to go forward with your lawsuit.

Hiring an attorney also has other advantages if you pursue a premises liability claim. They have research and investigative teams who can help you, as well as expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf. Furthermore, your attorney can keep your case going while you deal with any injuries or emotional distress as a result of your accident. That way, you don’t have additional stress to deal with. You’re also more likely to get a favorable result and more compensation by hiring an attorney, as they have greater experience negotiating these kinds of cases.

The Gibson Hill Advantage

Because we focus on premises liability and other personal injury cases at Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we have extensive experience getting our clients every dollar in compensation they deserve. Our goal is to protect your legal rights and make sure you have the resources you require to get back to normal living. Recovering from a major accident or illness is an exhausting process, and we will do our best to make it as painless as possible for you. If you have lingering injuries or other effects from an accident, it’s vital to make sure you can handle those expenses, and we’ll fight tirelessly on your behalf.

Premises liability has been a key component of Gibson Hill Personal Injury since our founding in 2012. Our strong track record and aggressive approach led to co-founder Ty Gibson being named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list. If you need more convincing, these testimonials demonstrate our ability and commitment to our clients.

Common Premises Liability Cases We Handle

While premises liability claims come in many forms and each case is different, there are some recurring scenarios we see from our clients. Here are some typical premises liability cases, though this is not an exhaustive list:

• Slip-and-falls- Not every slip-and-fall case is necessarily eligible for a premises liability claim, but there are certain cases where you might have a valid case. As with all premises liability claims, you’ll have to proof that dangerous conditions existed, those conditions led to your injury, the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard, and that the owner didn’t adequately protect visitors from the hazard or acted negligently in some way.
• Dog bites or other injuries from animals– While Texas does not have a specific statute about personal injury claims related to dog bites, there are still rules that dog owners are expected to follow. Dogs are expected to be leashed or kept in a secure enclosure. There are additional rules for owners of so-called “dangerous” dogs. Owners with aggressive dogs are required to warn visitors or make sure the dog is contained if anyone is visiting. There are also stricter rules for enclosures for aggressive or dangerous dogs. A dangerous dog is defined as one that has injured someone previously in an unprovoked attack or one that has committed unprovoked attacks that might lead someone to believe the animal is dangerous. In some cases, the property owner may be liable even if they don’t own the animal, such as a tenant that has a dangerous dog in an apartment complex even if it’s not the owner’s dog.
• Fires, electrical hazards, and flooding– Fire, faulty electrical equipment and floods can all cause devastating injuries or worse. These kinds of injuries can happen at work, at home, or in public. If you own your home, it’s up to you to maintain it properly, but you may have a case if you live in an apartment, townhouse, condo, etc. In those cases, it’s up to the property owner to make sure your home and common areas are well-maintained.
• Fires and explosions– Fires and explosions can occur anywhere. Jobsites, backyard barbecues, residential areas where wiring or piping malfunctions — any of these areas can be the site of a fire or an explosion. When you’ve been injured in either of these serious events and you didn’t cause them, you could be eligible for compensation for your injuries and losses.
• Fume, gas or chemical leaks– Chemical fumes can be very hazardous, especially to children, making it crucial to handle gasoline and other chemicals safely. The chemicals themselves can be toxic, and a gas leak could cause an explosion in your home. Chemicals can seep in from construction sites or industrial areas, and a poorly maintained gas line at home can easily lead to disastrous consequences. We can help you hold the property owner accountable if you’ve been hurt due to a situation like this.
• Fires– Similar to above, buildings need to be properly protected against fires, including some way to warn everyone if a fire breaks out. It’s up to the property owner to make sure they’re following the proper fire codes and that any visitors are protected. If not, any visitors or tenants are vulnerable to severe burns, disfigurement, even death.
• Swimming pool accidents– Young children can easily end up drowning in a pool even in only a few inches of water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 10 people die every day nationwide from accidental drowning. Of those 10 people, two of them are children 14 years old or younger. Those who don’t die can face severe brain damage, meaning they’ll require long-term care. Furthermore, more than 50 percent of drowning victims treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or a transfer for another facility to complete their care. It’s vital that owners of both public and private pools take the proper precautions to prevent kids from wandering into the pool if it’s not safe. If the owner has been lax or careless, they may be liable in the event you or someone you know is injured while using their pool.
• Equipment failure/poor maintenance– Heavy machinery can break if it’s not properly maintained, leading to calamitous injuries or worse. Property owners also need to be sure they’re maintaining their buildings so no one is hurt. This includes stairs, railings, sidewalks, and more. Failure to due their proper diligence can leave property owners open to a premises liability claim.
• Inadequate security leading to injury– A property owner’s requirement to keep visitors safe includes keeping them safe from other people. If the property doesn’t provide adequate security and you’re injured as a result, they may be liable for your injury. A lawyer with premises liability experience can tell you more about whether your situation fits the legal requirements for a personal injury claim.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, including premises liability suits. While there may be certain exceptions, and your attorney can tell you if your case qualifies, we highly recommend talking to someone as soon as possible if you’re considering a personal injury claim. The sooner you speak with an experienced premises liability attorney, like the ones at Gibson Hill Personal Injury, the sooner we can guide you toward your best next step.

Contact a Houston Premises Liability Lawyer Right Now

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s mistake or negligence, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of their actions or inaction. You have the right to seek compensation for your injury, and you may well need those resources for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Our dedicated Houston personal injury lawyers at Gibson Hill Personal Injury will be your advocate as you navigate the legal system. To get started, call us today at (713) 659-4000. We look forward to representing you and helping you heal after your injury.