Property owners’ responsibility is to care for their property; otherwise, it can lead to people getting hurt. This is especially applicable to the owners of restaurants, stores, swimming pools, or other public places. Regarding premises liability, a slip and fall is among the most common causes of injuries. According to the National Safety Council, slips and falls lead to around one million yearly injuries. Since Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the United States, there is an immense chance of potential premise liability threats.
Other premise liability cases include injuries from falling objects, dog bites, etc. You are entitled to compensation if you have suffered from any of these injuries. In this situation, an experienced lawyer can help you understand premises liability cases and get compensation under Houston law, like in many other cities. Depending on the severity of the case, you can get different types of damages, which you will learn more about in this article.
Types of Damages Available in Premises Liability Cases
Damages available in premises liability cases are:
Medical Bills
Any individual who suffers an injury will have to get medical care, and thus they will incur medical bills. Some bills are immediate, for example, medications, emergency rooms, etc. These are considered short-term bills.
In the compensation claim, you can also ask for long-term medical bills, such as the cost of future visits to medical facilities. It might be challenging to determine the future medical bills; however, your premises liability lawyer is experienced, and they will appropriately value the statements.
Lost Wages
If you miss work due to your injuries, you are entitled to compensation for the lost wages. It can take two forms. First is the immediate loss of income, that is, your inability to work immediately after your accident.
The second is that your injuries are severe, and you might be unable to work. So, your lawyer will explain how your injuries have affected your ability to work in the future.
Occupational and Physical Therapy
You can also claim compensation for rehabilitation. If you have suffered catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, you will have to go for extended treatment. Since it was due to the negligence of others, you can ask for these damages.
Property Damage
In a premises liability case, you can also claim expenses or compensation for the ruined or damaged property. However, you do have to prove that the items were damaged, and you have to quote an appropriate value.
Pain And Suffering
It is possible to get compensation for your pain and suffering. When you get injured, you also face emotional distress and physical discomfort, and you are eligible to ask for damages. The compensation depends on your injury’s severity and its associated pain.
Apart from all this physical pain, there is a psychological factor too. You can also get compensated for intangible losses such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.
What Evidence Do You Have to Provide?
For a better chance of winning the damages, you have to prove that you were injured due to the negligence of others. And to do that, you need to provide the following evidence, which will give you a better chance of winning:
- All medical records which prove your injuries.
- Photographs and videos of the scene.
- Statements of eyewitnesses.
- Police report records of the occurrence.
- Proof that the owner did not follow the safety guidelines and regular maintenance checks.
Conclusion
Summing up, if you have suffered injuries on someone’s property due to negligence, you are entitled to file for compensation. However, to get the damages, you must provide evidence and proof that it is the owner’s fault. When you work with an experienced premises liability attorney, they will help you collect and organize the evidence to strengthen your case.
