Do Dog Bites, Slip and Falls and Drownings All Fall Under Premises Liability?

In Ohio, dog bites, slip and falls and drownings are examples of premises liability, which is an area of personal injury law pertaining to injuries that occur on someone else's property. This type of law holds the property owner responsible for any accidents and injuries that occur on their property due to negligence or a failure to maintain the premises in a safe condition.

You may be wondering if dog bites that take place outside of a dog owner’s property, such as the sidewalk or dog park, fall under this law. The answer is “yes”—dog bites are considered a premises liability matter no matter where they occur.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a property owner’s negligence and suffered an injury, you may be entitled to compensation.

An experienced premises liability attorney can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a valid claim and are eligible for compensation.

What Is Premises Liability in Personal Injury Law?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners, such as homeowners, business owners and state and government agencies responsible for injuries that occur on their property.

Furthermore, the law requires property owners to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of visitors and guests on their premises. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for the injury in a personal injury lawsuit.

Examples of premises liability accidents include:

• Slip and falls due to slippery floors and broken stairs
• Dog bites
• Drownings due to unsecured swimming pools and negligent staff
• Injuries from amusement park rides
• Physical assault due to inadequate security
• Injuries caused by falling objects
• Elevator accidents

How to Establish a Premises Liability Case

At the core of every successful premises liability case is proving that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the safety of their property and that this negligence caused your injury.

Keep in mind, the process of establishing liability will vary depending on individual circumstances surrounding the case but the following steps are generally key to proving negligence:

1. Gather evidence: Collect evidence to support your claim, such as photographs of the hazardous condition, witness statements, medical records and any other relevant documents. For example, if you were bitten by a neighbor’s dog while jogging, you’ll need photos of your injuries, witness statements from anyone who saw the incident, medical records from your doctor and any other relevant documents.
   
   
2. File a claim: File a claim with the property owner’s insurance company or with the court if necessary.
   
   
3. Prove negligence: You must prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining their property and that this negligence caused your injury. For instance, if you slipped on a wet floor at a supermarket, you’ll need to show the store failed to clean up the spill in a timely manner or failed to post a wet floor warning sign. You’ll also need to show that this negligence caused your injury.
   
   
4. Calculate damages: It’s vital to accurately account for the financial costs of the incident, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other expenses associated with your injury. While calculating tangible damages like medical costs and lost wages is fairly straightforward, calculating pain and suffering is more subjective and will depend on the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on your life.
   
   
5. Negotiate a settlement: Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or court if necessary to reach an agreement on compensation for your injuries and damages. Keep in mind, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely go to great lengths to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out.

Some of these steps, such as calculating damages or negotiating a fair settlement may be complicated, intimidating and require extensive knowledge of personal injury law. This is why you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you through the process. 

Let Us Help You Deal with Your Premises Liability Claim in Ohio

With offices located throughout the entire state of Ohio, including Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, the Buckeye Law Group is the go-to law firm for all types of premises liability claims, including dog bites, slip and falls and drownings.

We know first-hand how complex premises liability cases can be and are committed to performing thorough investigations of your unique case. We will work diligently to ensure your rights are protected and will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your claim.

Call us today at 1-800-411-PAIN for a free consultation and let us help you get the justice you deserve.