Minneapolis Premises Liability Lawyer
What is premises liability law?
Why Premises Liability Lawsuits Occur in Minneapolis
Duties of Owners and Occupiers
Liability in Minneapolis Premises Liability Cases
Damages Available for Premises Liability Cases in Minneapolis
Minnesota Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims
Minneapolis Premises Liability—Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Skilled Minneapolis Premises Liability Attorney Today
When landowners and occupiers fail to properly maintain their premises, they can create unsafe environments wherein innocent people pay the price. If you’ve suffered injuries after an incident on another person’s property, you may have legal recourse.
A Minneapolis premises liability lawyer can determine the cause of your accident and the party responsible for your personal injury in order to seek financial recovery on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has experienced an accident on someone else’s premises, Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. is ready to help you.
What is premises liability law?
Premises liability is a legal concept referring to the duty landowners and occupiers have to keep their property safe.
When you step onto another person’s property—whether it’s a grocery store, hotel, or apartment building — you expect to be safe and remain out of harm’s way. If the party responsible for the property does not take steps to keep the area safe, accidents are likely.
If you experience an accident due to unsafe conditions on someone’s property, you may be able to hold the responsible party accountable and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Why Premises Liability Lawsuits Occur in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a populous city with plenty of movement. Accidents tend to happen more frequently in busy cities like Minneapolis because those responsible for a property may find it difficult to keep up with maintenance and preserve a safe environment amid all of the hustle and bustle.
Some of the many reasons premises liability claims arise in Minneapolis include:
- Slips and falls
- Dog bites
- Negligent security
- Swimming pool incidents
- Issues with elevators and escalators
- Inadequate maintenance
- Dangerous property
Whether you slip while touring the Midtown Global Market, get hurt from poorly maintained equipment at the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport, or otherwise sustain injuries on another’s property due to their negligence, you may have a valid premises liability claim.
Make sure to discuss your situation with our qualified premises liability lawyers in Minneapolis.
Duties of Owners and Occupiers
If you go onto someone’s property, it’s likely that either the property is open to the public or you were invited in. Property owners and occupiers in Minneapolis owe entrants onto their property a duty to keep them safe.
However, this changes if the individual is not an entrant but a trespasser. Trespassers are people who enter a property without the owner’s consent, whether express or implied. Generally, a landowner does not have a duty to trespassers. If a trespasser is harmed, the owner will likely not be held liable.
Liability in Minneapolis Premises Liability Cases
If you want to seek financial recovery from a premises liability lawsuit, you’ll have to establish that the property owner or occupier was at fault for your accident and resulting injuries.
To do so, you must satisfy the elements of negligence. You must prove:
- The property owner or occupier owed you and others a duty of care to keep their property safe and warn of foreseeable harm.
- The property owner or occupier breached this duty of care.
- The breach was the cause of your accident.
- You suffered losses.
Proving who’s at fault in premises liability cases can be tricky. Often, cases require a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for causing your accident.
Once it’s clear who’s liable, establishing negligence can be challenging. A premises liability lawyer has the knowledge and resources to prove negligence and pursue compensation from the responsible party.
Damages Available for Premises Liability Cases in Minneapolis
Damages refer to the compensation you can collect for your injuries and losses after a premises liability accident. The damages available to you depend on the details of your case.
Compensation for your premises liability lawsuit can include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement
Calculating the value of your case can be a complex task. You want to ensure that you’re getting maximum compensation for your injuries, and without knowing how much your case is truly worth, you may settle for less than you deserve.
A premises liability lawyer in Minneapolis will review every detail of your case to accurately calculate the damages to which you’re entitled. They will gather medical records and review police reports to determine the circumstances that led to your accident. They will then work diligently to pursue financial recovery on your behalf.
Minnesota Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims
A statute of limitations is a law that imposes a time limit on your ability to file a lawsuit.
According to Minnesota law, the statute of limitations for premises liability claims is six years from the date of the incident.
If you do not file your premises liability lawsuit within six years, you’ll lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries. This is why you must speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Minneapolis Premises Liability—Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re considering pursuing a premises liability claim, these frequently asked questions and answers can provide some insight. Our premises liability lawyers are also available to address all of your concerns.
What should I do after I suffer a premises liability injury in Minneapolis?
After experiencing an accident associated with premises liability, you might be unsure of what to do next. Generally, after your accident, you’ll want to:
Seek Medical Attention
Always put your health and safety first. Call 911 for serious injuries. Otherwise, visit one of the top hospitals in Minneapolis, an emergency room, or your primary physician.
Report the Accident
As soon as you can, report the accident to the property owner or party in charge. You may also want to file a police report, depending on the circumstances.
Gather Evidence
If possible, collect evidence, including photos and videos and witness contact information.
Consult with a Premises Liability Lawyer
Consult with an attorney as soon as possible to create a legal plan of action.
After the initial steps, you’ll want to follow through with medical treatment. Medical records often play an important role in premises liability cases, and your attorney will use them to build a strong case.
How can a premises liability lawyer help me with my case?
While you might consider handling your premises liability lawsuit on your own, it’s best to have a skilled attorney at your side.
The best premises liability lawyer will handle your case from start to finish, tackling the most important tasks, including:
- Investigating your claim
- Creating a legal strategy
- Communicating with insurance companies and opposing parties
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and experts
- Calculating your damages
- Engaging in settlement negotiations
- Representing you in court, if needed
When you have an attorney from Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. working on your case, you can feel confident knowing your case is in the absolute best hands. Having an experienced lawyer can give you invaluable peace of mind, allowing you to focus exclusively on your physical recovery.
Is there an average for premises liability lawsuit settlements?
There’s no “average” settlement for premises liability cases. Every client and situation is unique, and settlements can vary greatly depending on the details of the claim.
Certain factors can determine a fair settlement for a premises liability case.
Relevant Factors for Settlement Amounts
- Your age and health
- The extent of your injuries
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Whether you’ve suffered any permanent disfigurement or disability
- The total amount of lost wages
- Any other tangible or intangible losses
Fortunately, your attorney knows how to handle premises liability lawsuit settlements. At Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., we will fiercely pursue the fairest possible outcome for your case.
What if I’m partially responsible for my accident?
Even if you are found partially responsible for your accident, you may still be entitled to recover financially. Under Minnesota’s comparative fault law, if you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for an accident, your percentage of fault will be subtracted from your recovery amount.
For example, if you are 20 percent at fault for your accident, and your recovery is $100,000, you’ll receive $80,000.
However, if you are deemed 50 percent or more at fault for your accident, you will be barred from recovering any damages.
If you believe you were partially responsible for your accident, discuss your situation with a Minnesota premises liability attorney.
How much does a premises liability attorney cost?
Typically, attorneys handling personal injury cases like premises liability operate under a contingency fee agreement. Contingency fee agreements mean you have no upfront fees, and your lawyer will take a certain percentage from your recovery.
Many individuals fail to get the legal help they need for fear of high costs. Contingency fee arrangements allow plaintiffs to obtain legal representation without the added financial stress.
Talk to a Skilled Minneapolis Premises Liability Attorney Today
Since 1963, Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. has been helping injured clients get the relief they need in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Our team gives our clients the empathy and care they deserve while aggressively handling their cases. We’re passionate about providing the highest quality legal services.
Using our knowledge and skills, we’ve proudly earned respect in the community while building a highly decorated practice. We believe your story matters. Let us be your voice and stand up for your rights.
We look forward to discussing your case and how our firm can help you. Contact us by calling 763-560-0000 or by filling out a form on our website to schedule a meeting with a premises liability lawyer today.
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Practice Areas
Minneapolis Office Location
305 North 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 339-0140
