Trusted Denton Slip and Fall Attorneys Ready To Assist You
Slippery floors, cracked sidewalks, and uneven steps represent a small portion of slip and fall accidents on both public and private property. While they appear minor, experienced Denton premises liability lawyers know this environment may result in severe injury. If your injury could have been prevented, obtain legal help from the Hartley Law Firm.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to a set of rules requiring property owners in Texas to ensure their property is safe for visitors. While premises liability encompasses many types of lawsuits, slip and fall lawsuits are common examples. To prevail on a premises liability claim in Texas, Denton slip and fall attorneys focus on establishing the following elements:
- A legal duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff,
- Breach of that duty, and
- Injuries and damages caused by the violation of that legal duty.
A Denton premises liability lawyer analyzes the facts to establish your classification at the time the injury occurred. This classification determines the type of duty owed to you.
Invitee
Invitees receive the most protection under premises law. An invitee is someone who enters a property with the consent of the owner and for the owner’s benefit, such as a business patron, hotel guest, or someone attending a sporting event. Owners offer invitees the utmost duty of care. Therefore, an owner must warn or remedy any dangerous conditions that the owner knows or could have discovered with reasonable inspection.
Licensees
Licensees represent the class of people entering the owner’s property with their knowledge and permission and for the mutual benefit of both parties. Common examples of licensees include social guests and salespeople. An owner must warn the licensee of dangerous conditions on the property known to the owner but not understood by the licensee.
Trespassers
Trespassers are individuals entering the owner’s property without permission. The only duty owed to trespassers is not to cause them injury through willful, wanton, or gross negligence.
Defenses to Premises Liability Cases
An experienced Denton slip and fall attorney must be ready for defenses to any slip and fall claim. A property owner may attempt to avoid responsibility in slip and fall cases by claiming one of the following defenses:
- The injured person knew of the dangerous condition before they were hurt and engaged in the conduct resulting in their injury;
- The dangerous condition was obvious and open;
- The injured person’s misuse of the property resulted in the injury; or
- The property was not controlled by the defendant.
Anticipation of possible defenses by your Denton slip and fall lawyer assures limited surprises during the course of your lawsuit.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Premises Liability?
It’s important to consult with your Denton slip and fall lawyer about how the statute of limitations for premises liability may affect your claim. A statute of limitations sets a deadline for how long you have to bring your claim for premises liability. In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If the accident occurs on government property, the statute of limitations is only 60 days from the date of the accident. Therefore, it’s important to contact a Denton slip and fall attorney to analyze your slip and fall accident facts and begin building your case. Waiting too long to seek recovery for your injuries could void your claim or make it more difficult to recover any damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can a Denton Slip and Fall Lawyer Help You?
When you choose one of the compassionate and aggressive Denton premises liability attorneys from the Hartley Law Office, you will have a devoted advocate by your side. Our attorneys and legal team handle every aspect of your case, so you can focus on the important task of getting medical treatment and recovering from your injuries. We work hard to protect your legal rights and get you the best possible outcome in your case.
We investigate and document your case as thoroughly as possible. We communicate with you throughout the legal process, providing you with regular updates about the progression of your case. We are always there to answer your questions and provide any information that you might need. We work diligently to maximize your compensation, identifying and documenting all of your economic and non-economic damages.
Why Choose the Hartley Law Firm to Handle Your Slip and Fall Case?
Austin Hartley of the Hartley Law Firm provides aggressive representation to clients when they need it most. With his large law firm experience, Austin is equipped to handle any opponent and secure favorable verdicts on behalf of its clients. Premises liability is an extremely complicated area of law, but the Hartley Law Firm has the experience and resources needed to prove fault and seek compensation for all of your losses.
Contact the Denton, TX slip and fall attorneys at the Hartley Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation where we can discuss your options.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Slip and Fall Claim?
Due to the unique nature of each slip and fall case, we cannot accurately estimate any timeframe without knowing all the details. Rest assured, however, that we push to get your case resolved as quickly as possible. After documenting your case, we submit a demand to the insurance company and begin the negotiation process. We take an aggressive stance with the insurance company, pushing them to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. In most cases, we successfully negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This gets you the financial resources you need as quickly as possible. Although our goal is always to save you the time, hassle, and cost of going to court, filing a lawsuit may be necessary in some cases. If the insurance company will not negotiate a reasonable settlement, we will be ready to file a lawsuit and fight for justice in the courtroom.
How Much Does a Denton Slip and Fall Attorney Cost?
At the Hartley Law Firm, we will take your case on contingency. This means that you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Once we negotiate a settlement or receive a jury award, we simply deduct our agreed-upon fee and expenses and cut you a check for the rest.
When you come to your free consultation, your attorney will explain our fee structure and answer any questions you might have.
Contact Our Experienced Denton Premises Liability Lawyers Now
As you struggle to get through the challenges you currently face, it’s natural to experience fear and confusion. The Denton slip and fall lawyers of the Hartley Law Firm understand how difficult this situation can be. But you don’t have to face these challenges alone.
Our Denton, TX slip and fall lawyers offer a free consultation and case review. We answer your questions and explain your options for pursuing legal action. When you’re ready to move forward, we will be there to fight for you every step of the way.
At Hartley Law Firm, our experienced lawyers also handle injury cases involving:
- Auto Vehicle Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Lyft and Uber Accidents
- Wrongful Death Claim
- Sexual Violence
- Construction Site Accidents
We also handle wrongful death claims, medical negligence, and nursing home neglect cases. Call or contact us today to schedule your consultation or to speak directly to one of our Denton premises liability attorneys.
