Columbia, MO Premises Liability Attorney

Injured on Private or Public Property in Columbia, MO?

When you visit a store, restaurant, or other business, you expect the property to be safe and free from hazards. You also expect that the property owner or manager will take reasonable steps to protect you from harm. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Every year, thousands of people are injured in slip-and-fall accidents, dog attacks, and other incidents that occur on someone else’s property.

At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a serious injury. Our Columbia, MO premises liability lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed. We have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases, and we are prepared to put our experience to work for you.

For a free consultation, call (888) 287-1046 or contact us online today.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for certain injuries that occur on their property. In Missouri, property owners and managers have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for those who are lawfully on the premises. This includes customers, clients, and other business invitees, as well as social guests and, in some cases, even trespassers.

There are three main types of visitors under Missouri premises liability law:

• Invitees: These are individuals who are on the property for the financial benefit of the property owner. Examples include customers at a store or restaurant.
• Licensees: These are individuals who are on the property for their own purposes, but with the property owner’s consent. Examples include social guests.
• Trespassers: These are individuals who are on the property without the property owner’s consent. In general, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers, but there are some exceptions.

Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. This means that they must take reasonable steps to protect invitees from harm. For example, a store owner must regularly inspect the premises for hazards and take prompt action to address any hazards that are discovered. If a hazard cannot be immediately addressed, the store owner must take steps to warn customers of the danger. If a store owner fails to do this and a customer is injured as a result, the store owner may be held liable for the customer’s damages.

Property owners owe a slightly lower duty of care to licensees. They must still take reasonable steps to protect licensees from harm, but they do not have to regularly inspect the premises for hazards. Instead, they must only address known hazards and/or warn licensees of the danger. For example, if a homeowner knows that the front porch is unstable, he or she must either fix the porch or warn guests not to use it. If a guest is injured because the homeowner failed to do this, the homeowner may be held liable for the guest’s injuries.

Property owners generally do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if a property owner knows that children are likely to trespass on the property, he or she must take reasonable steps to protect them from harm. This is known as the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. For example, if a property owner has a swimming pool in the backyard and knows that children are likely to trespass and swim in the pool, he or she must take steps to secure the pool and prevent access.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., our Columbia, MO premises liability attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide range of cases. We know how to investigate these claims, determine liability, and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

We handle all types of premises liability cases, including those involving:

• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Negligent security
• Swimming pool accidents
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Fires and explosions
• Toxic exposure
• Amusement park accidents
• Sports injuries
• Lead paint poisoning
• Restaurant injuries
• Supermarket injuries
• Retail store injuries
• Landlord negligence
• Snow and ice accidents
• Restaurant injuries
• Landlord negligence
• Snow and ice accidents

How to Prove Liability in a Premises Liability Case

Proving liability in a premises liability case can be challenging. In order to recover compensation, you must be able to prove that the property owner or manager was negligent and that this negligence caused your injuries. This requires a thorough investigation and a strong legal strategy.

To prove liability in a premises liability case, you must be able to show that:

• The property owner or manager owed you a duty of care
• The property owner or manager breached this duty of care
• The breach of duty caused the accident/injury
• You suffered damages as a result

Our Columbia premises liability lawyers know how to gather evidence, build a strong case, and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed. We are not afraid to take on large corporations and insurance companies, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Missouri?

Like all other states, Missouri has a statute of limitations for premises liability claims. This is a strict deadline that you must meet to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation.

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for premises liability claims is generally five years from the date of the injury. However, some exceptions can shorten or lengthen this deadline. For example, if you are injured in a slip and fall accident at a government-owned property, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. If you fail to do this, you may lose your right to file a lawsuit.

It is important to consult with an experienced Columbia premises liability attorney as soon as possible after an accident. A lawyer can help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case and ensure that all deadlines are met.

Ready to Help You Today

At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we are committed to helping injured victims and their families. We know how to take on large corporations and insurance companies, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect your rights. Our Columbia, MO premises liability lawyers are available to answer your questions and address your concerns, and we are here to guide you through the legal process every step of the way.

Call (888) 287-1046 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.