Common Hazards & Accidents
This is a broad area of law. Any property-related accident could fall under the heading “premises liability.”
We have helped clients injured by:
- Slip and falls or trip and falls. Hazards on the ground can cause people to slip or trip, suffering injuries when they fall. Some hazards include uneven floorboards or carpets, power cables crossing the floor, ice or debris on the floor, and other hazards.
- Falling merchandise. Improperly shelved items can rain down on customers in a store, or the shelving can collapse.
- Fires. Faulty wiring can lead to a fire on the premises, with burns and smoke inhalation as serious injuries.
- Swimming pool accidents. A person might nearly drown in a swimming pool accident and suffer permanent brain injuries. Other accidents stem from loose tiles which can cause a person to slip and strike their head on the side of the pool.
- Hotel and motel accidents. The hotel or motel is on the hook when a hazardous condition injures a guest. These hazards include malfunctioning hair dryers, faulty furniture, as well as mold or other toxins.
- Negligent security. Property owners must take reasonable measures to protect the safety of visitors. They do not guarantee anyone’s safety, but they can’t be negligent when it comes to security.
These are some of the most common premises liability claims. We encourage anyone hurt on a property to reach out to Friedman Injury Law to discuss whether suing is a realistic possibility.
Building a Premises Liability Claim
Injured victims face many challenges when trying to win a premises liability case. Perhaps the most critical is proving the existence of a dangerous hazard. You aren’t entitled to compensation if you trip over your own feet or cause your own fire.
We recommend taking a photograph (using your phone) of the hazard which led to your injury. Without a picture, the property owner might quickly fix the defect and deny its existence. If you can’t get a picture, then your attorney can find other evidence. Casinos, for example, have hundreds of security cameras recording every square inch of the premises. We can demand access to this video to help build your case.
Another consideration is whether the defendant knew of the hazard. If they created it, then they have knowledge. We can also prove the owner “should have known” of the hazard if it existed for long enough or was highly visible. Owners cannot put their heads in the sand and try to avoid knowing about defects on the property. In some cases, a careful owner will regularly inspect the premises, especially if they invite members of the public to enter to do business.
A major question is whether the owner was reasonable in trying to fix or protect visitors from the hazard. Some options include warning visitors of the hazard, cordoning off an area, or even shutting down the premises. When an owner attempts to fix the hazard, they must do so with reasonable care. A careless owner could make the hazard worse.
Did You Have a Right to Be on the Property?
Nevada’s premises liability law doesn’t fully depend on your “status” or reason for being on the property. But whether you were invited still matters. Furthermore, if you were trespassing, you would have a much harder time receiving compensation.
We often bring premises liability claims on behalf of customers injured at:
- Retail establishments
- Malls
- Restaurants and bars
- Hotels and motels
- Convention centers
- Casinos
- Parking garages
- Movie theaters
- Bookstores
- Hospitals
- Universities and colleges
Public buildings also need to be reasonably safe. This duty applies to local and municipal governments, as well as the state of Nevada and the U.S. federal government. If you slipped and fell in a post office, for example, you might have a claim against the United States Postal Service.
Fair Settlements for Injured Victims
We believe all victims deserve fair compensation when they are hurt by property defects. Our firm has fought to obtain compensation for:
- Lost wages, if your injuries require time off to recuperate;
- Property damage;
- Medical expenses, including pain medication and assistive devices like crutches or a wheelchair;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Most Vegas companies have large insurance policies and powerful law firms working on their behalf to fight off claims. You need the benefit of a law firm that has your back. Nobody struggling with an injury should expect an easy route to a fair settlement, and you should avoid trying to negotiate with a defendant on your own.
Attorney Friedman has won more than $100 million for personal injury clients. Let’s connect to talk about whether our firm can help with your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a premises liability accident? Call Friedman Injury Law at (702) 970-4222. A representative with our firm can meet to discuss what happened and go over the next steps. Our case evaluations are free.
