If you’ve sustained injuries on someone else’s property in St. Louis, you might be wondering about your legal options. The St Louis Premises Liability Lawyers at Sumner Law Group, LLC, are dedicated to helping injury victims understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve. With over 50 years of combined experience, our team is well-equipped to handle complex premises liability cases throughout St. Louis and Missouri. We have a proven history of success, securing millions of dollars for our clients against property owners and insurance companies.
Don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance. Contact us today for a free consultation with our experienced st louis premises liability lawyers. We are here to listen to your story and provide the legal advice you need to make informed decisions.
Understanding Premises Liability in St. Louis
Premises liability law in St. Louis dictates that property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. However, not every injury on someone else’s property automatically qualifies for a premises liability claim. To have a valid claim, you generally need to demonstrate that your injury resulted from a dangerous or defective condition on the property and that this condition was due to the property owner’s negligence.
This negligence stems from the duty of care property owners owe to lawful visitors. Missouri law distinguishes between different types of visitors, which affects the extent of this duty.
Categories of Visitors and the Duty of Care
Under Missouri law, lawful visitors are categorized as either invitees or licensees:
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Invitees: These are individuals welcomed onto a property for the direct or indirect benefit of the property owner or business. Customers at a store, patrons at a restaurant, or clients visiting an office are all considered invitees. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. This means they must actively inspect their property for potential hazards, fix known dangers, and warn invitees about any remaining risks that they reasonably should know about. This duty extends to conditions the owner actually knows about and those they should have discovered through reasonable diligence and regular property maintenance.
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Licensees: Licensees are individuals who are on the property with the owner’s consent but primarily for their own purposes, not for the owner’s benefit. Examples include social guests or delivery personnel. The duty of care owed to licensees is slightly less than that owed to invitees. Property owners must address or warn licensees about hazardous conditions they are actually aware of. However, there’s generally no legal obligation to actively inspect the property to discover unknown dangers for licensees.
It’s crucial to understand these distinctions because they directly impact the legal obligations of property owners and the strength of a potential st louis premises liability claim. If a property owner breaches their duty of care to you as an invitee or licensee, and this breach directly causes your injuries, you have grounds to pursue compensation for your damages.
Common Premises Liability Cases Our St. Louis Lawyers Handle
The st louis premises liability lawyers at Sumner Law Group, LLC, have a wealth of experience representing clients in a wide range of premises liability cases, including:
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Slip and Fall Accidents: These are among the most frequent types of premises liability claims. They occur when hazardous conditions like wet floors, uneven walkways, uncleared ice or snow, or hidden trip hazards cause someone to slip, trip, and fall. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe walking surfaces and promptly address or warn about slip and trip hazards.
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Negligent Security: Property owners, particularly businesses and landlords, have a duty to provide reasonable security measures to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. Negligent security can include inadequate lighting in parking lots, broken security cameras, insufficient security personnel, or poorly maintained locks. If inadequate security facilitates a crime that leads to your injury, you may have a claim against the property owner. This is particularly relevant in areas with known high crime rates or previous security incidents on the property.
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Toxic Exposure: Property owners are responsible for ensuring their premises are free from hazardous materials that could cause harm. Toxic exposure can result from chemical spills, gas leaks, mold infestations, or environmental contamination originating from the property. These situations can lead to serious health issues, and property owners may be liable for damages.
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Landlords and property managers have a specific duty to ensure residential properties are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. This includes installing and maintaining working carbon monoxide detectors, especially in rental units. Failure to do so can lead to severe health consequences or death, and those responsible can be held liable.
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School and Campus Violence: Schools and universities have a responsibility to create a safe learning environment for students. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent violence, including bullying and more serious physical assaults. Failures in security or supervision that lead to student injuries due to violence can result in premises liability claims against educational institutions.
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Sexual Abuse and Assault: Businesses, organizations, and institutions can be held liable for sexual abuse and assault that occurs on their premises, especially if they failed to take adequate measures to protect individuals from foreseeable harm. This is particularly relevant in cases involving employees in positions of authority or trust.
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MetroLink Crime: The St. Louis MetroLink system has a duty to provide reasonable security for its passengers. If you are injured due to criminal activity on MetroLink property, including stations, trains, or buses, due to inadequate security, you may be entitled to compensation.
How a St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help You
Navigating a premises liability claim can be complex. A skilled st louis premises liability lawyer at Sumner Law Group, LLC, can provide crucial assistance in several ways:
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Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident that caused your injuries. This includes gathering accident reports, photographs of the scene, surveillance video footage (if available), witness statements, and any other relevant evidence to build a strong case.
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Expert Consultation: We collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and medical professionals to thoroughly analyze the evidence and build a persuasive argument demonstrating how your accident occurred and who is liable. Expert testimony can be critical in complex premises liability cases.
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Comprehensive Damages Documentation: We will meticulously document the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other financial losses resulting from your injuries.
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Claim Filing and Insurance Negotiation: We will handle all aspects of filing your claim with the responsible parties and their insurance companies. Our lawyers will aggressively negotiate with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys on your behalf to reach a fair settlement, protecting you from unfair tactics and lowball offers.
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Litigation and Trial Readiness: While many cases are settled out of court, we prepare every case for trial. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, we are fully prepared to litigate your case in court and advocate for your rights before a judge and jury to secure the verdict you deserve.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand the challenges and stress that come with recovering from injuries and dealing with legal complexities. We prioritize clear and consistent communication, ensuring you have direct access to the attorney handling your case. We are committed to providing personalized support and guidance throughout the entire legal process. And remember, you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
