The Small Firm for Big Cases

Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer

Property and business owners have a duty to avoid unsafe conditions that create a risk of injury to people on their premises. When a serious injury occurs, you need an experienced attorney on your side immediately to interview witnesses, preserve critical evidence such as surveillance video, and hire the right experts to inspect the scene for your best chance to win your premises liability lawsuit and to recuperate your medical costs from your injury.

The premises liability recoveries that Youman and Caputo have secured or helped secure in their careers include:

  • $40.5 million settlement of the litigation arising from an explosion and fire at the Village Green Apartments in Montgomery County, in which six people died and six others were injured. Youman and Caputo were both singled out for praise by one of their co-counsel for their work in this case.
  • $29.6 million settlement of the lawsuits arising from the collapse of Pier 34 in which three young women were killed.
  • $5 million recovery in pool drowning case
  • $3 million recovery in a premises liability case
  • $3 million recovery in pool drowning case

If you or a loved one have been injured on another person’s property, please contact the Philadelphia premises liability attorneys at Youman & Caputo as soon as possible.  We offer a free and confidential case evaluation and charge no out-of-pocket fees for our services unless we win your case.

Common Types of Premises Liability Claims

Under Pennsylvania state law, the basic legal theory of premises liability claims is that property owners can be held responsible for injuries and accidents that happen on their property because they have a duty of care to provide a reasonably safe environment. When the property owner does not provide a safe environment, then accidents can occur and injuries can result. When injuries result, they can result in significant injuries and medical expenses and other financial pressures, and a premises liability lawsuit or claim can be one way to recoup these medical costs.

Some of the most common types of premises liability are broken elevators, construction site incidents, lack of or negligent security, iced over steps or sidewalks resulting in falls, poorly lit areas, pool drownings, and failure to maintain safe premises. Injuries can result from even the most seemingly insignificant failures to upkeep premises.

Even though premises liability cases have an unearned reputation for being minor, these incidents can result in serious, devastating injuries such as:

  • Brain injury
  • Back and spinal cord injury
  • Ligament and tendon damage
  • Severe fractures and dislocations
  • And death

If you lose a loved one to a premises liability incident, the Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers at Youman & Caputo are here to help you find justice.

Who can be at fault for Premises Liability lawsuits?

In Philadelphia, an injured party may file a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner or occupier for the injuries suffered. Premises liability is applicable only in circumstances where an owner or manager failed to maintain the physical condition of the property and someone was injured as result. Business owners and private property owners have a duty to people entering or working on their property to keep the premises in a safe and hazard-free condition. They may be liable when accidents occur as a result of a failure to maintain their property to a reasonably safe standard.

The injured person must prove all of the elements of a premises liability case to prevail. These elements include: proving a duty of care, proving that a breach of this duty of care occurred, proving causation, and proving damages. Premises liability cases can be very complex and involve many different legal issues.

One or multiple parties may be responsible for the injuries you sustained as a result of unsafe premises. These parties can include the property owner, a renter or tenant, construction crews, security or police guards, the landlord, and people who intentionally caused your injury.  When more than one party is responsible for an injury, it is possible to bring civil action against more than one party.  It is best to speak with a catastrophic injury attorney in Philadelphia to investigate your potential claims and explain your options.

What Damages Can You Recover?

The damages caused by a premises liability incident may include past, current, and future medical costs. These could include expenses for hospital visits and stays, surgical intervention, doctor appointments, physical and occupational therapies, medications, and assistive devices. Expenses can quickly mount, particularly when a victim suffers life-changing harm like a head injury. In such a case, a brain injury lawyer in Philadelphia can explain your legal options and help fight for justice on your behalf.

It is important to keep all medical documentation, bills, and other associated paperwork related to your catastrophic injury, however minor. Medical documentation can include records of any medications you take, hospital visits, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation both in-patient and out-patient, and any physical therapy services. Medical documentation is very important when trying to prove damages owed by the defendant for injuries and medical costs.

There are also physical and emotional damages available in premises liability cases. These damages are called “pain and suffering” and “emotional distress.” Examples of physical and emotional damages include pain, severe anxiety near the premises, the inability to move the body in the same ways prior to sustaining the injury, and the overall stress involved with recovering from an injury.

Schedule a free consult with the attorneys at Youman & Caputo today to see whether you have a potential premises liability case and, if so, what damages you can potentially seek. A Philadelphia premises liability attorney from Youman & Caputo will work to maximize the amount of compensation that you are entitled to as a result of your injury.

Time Limits In Philadelphia Premises Liability Case

In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit.  Title 42, Pennsylvania State Legislature Ch. 55 § 5524 states that you have two years to bring a lawsuit against the person who negligently caused the injury. After two years, the statute of limitations expires and your claim is voided. This means that if you do not bring an action against the party or parties who caused the injury within two years, you may not bring action against them at all. However, there are specific legal circumstances that if met, may lengthen or shorten this window.

Due to this, it is important that you consult an attorney right away for your premises liability injury case to ensure all court deadlines are met. The attorneys at Youman & Caputo will work with you and your individual circumstances to achieve the best possible outcome.

Call an Experienced Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorney

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a serious injury that occurred on public property, please contact the Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at Youman & Caputo as soon as possible. Our attorneys will begin investigating the facts of your case right away, securing evidence and building the strongest possible case. The consultation is free and we charge no fees unless we win. Contact us online or call at (215) 302-1999 today to get the compensation you deserve.