Washington, D.C. Premises Liability Lawyer

Injured on Someone Else’s Property in D.C.? A Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help.

Over the years, the legal team here at Simeone & Miller, LLP has fought on behalf of countless clients dealing with a wide range of wrongfully sustained injuries. If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property due to no fault of your own, you should strongly consider speaking with a seasoned Washington, D.C. injury lawyer who can best fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

Common Types of Premises Liability Claims

Property owners owe a duty of care to the people who visit their property. This means that if they know about a certain condition, such as an oily spill on the floor, they have a duty to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Failing to do so can constitute negligence, making them responsible for damages in a premises liability case.

The most common types of premises liability claims include:

• Slip and fall accidents: If liquid, ice, or other debris is left on the floor, visitors could slip and fall. Loose wires, peeling flooring, broken tile, or other floor hazards could also cause someone to slip or trip. Slip and falls are a leading cause of brain injuries.
• Stair accidents: Stairways can be dangerous, especially if the stairs are broken, uneven, or unstable, or if the handrail is damaged, poorly secured to the wall, missing, or otherwise hazardous.
• Escalator and elevator incidents: Elevators and escalators can quickly become dangerous if they are poorly maintained, badly designed, installed incorrectly, or malfunctioning while in use.
• Swimming pool incidents: In order to prevent accidental drowning, property owners must enclose swimming pools behind a barrier big enough to deter wandering children. Public pools should also employ lifeguards and equip the pool area with safety features to prevent serious injuries.
• Dog bites: Even the friendliest dogs can have behavioral issues, which is why owners must be vigilant about watching their dogs and preventing them from attacking or biting other people.
• Amusement park accidents: If rides or attractions are poorly designed or maintained, or if walkways are damaged or broken, visitors could be seriously injured at amusement parks.
• Fires: When a landlord, property owner, or property manager fails to follow safety rules and procedures, a preventable fire could destroy personal property and cause tenants to suffer severe burns.
• Toxic chemicals, or other building code violations: If a building is constructed using dangerous materials, or toxic chemicals (like paints or bleaches) are left unattended, tenants or property visitors could be seriously harmed.
• Floods or water leaks: Property owners must make sure any buildings they own are adequately cared for, otherwise tenants may deal with flood-related injuries or suffer costly property damage.
• Inadequate security: When a building or property lacks adequate security, like a parking garage, store, or apartment complex, visitors may be assaulted or fall victim to other criminal activities.

Just because you were injured on someone else’s property does not mean that the owner was negligent. When you choose to work with a Washington, D.C. premises liability lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP, we can investigate the circumstances of your accident and determine whether or not you are eligible for financial compensation.

Establishing Negligence in a Premises Liability Case

All property owners have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for their visitors—whether they own a shopping mall, apartment complex, restaurant, or private residence. However, this responsibility has limitations.

Accident victims must be able to prove that:

• The property owner owed them a duty of care
• The property owner failed to uphold their duty of care
• They were injured by a hazard on that person’s property
• Their injury was caused by the owner’s negligence

Essentially, you will need to prove that the accident was preventable. In order to do so, you must be able to show that either the property owner or an employee knew about, or should have known about, the dangerous conditions that led to your accident—as well as that they subsequently failed to remedy the hazard in a timely manner.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

In Washington, D.C., accident victims are required to take legal action within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Washington, D.C. is, typically, three years. If you wait any longer than three years, you will most likely lose your right to sue. The sooner you bring your claim to our firm’s attention, the better of you will be. Simeone & Miller, LLP is prepared to fight for you, every step of the way.

Let a Premises Liability Lawyer from Simeone & Miller Fight for Your Rights

Premises liability cases are often multifaceted, especially when the property owner refuses responsibility. However, if you were wrongfully injured, you have every right to stand up for justice and fight for fair compensation.

Simeone & Miller, LLP has years of experience fighting to maximize compensation for our clients. With more than 1,000 happy clients, our premises liability attorneys in Washington, D.C. know what it takes to secure results. We are familiar with the complexities of state law and can see you through every step of your case. Contact us now to get started. Our consultations are free, and you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by simply asking us for help today.