Dedicated Legal Counsel

• Arises from an injury caused by a dangerous condition on someone else's property.
   
• Most common example: slip and fall case.
   
• There are also less common versions, like a "slip-and-jerk" case (e.g., when someone slips but doesn’t fully fall).

The status of the person on the property affects their ability to recover damages. There are three main types:

• Enters the property with the owner’s knowledge and for mutual benefit (e.g., customers in a store).
   
• Property owner must:
   
  • Make the property safe, or
     
  • Warn against unreasonably dangerous conditions they know or should know about.
     

• Enters with permission but not for mutual commercial benefit (e.g., a guest at your home).
   
• Owner’s duty:
   
  • Make safe any known dangers not obvious to the guest.
     

• Enters without permission.
   
• Property owner only owes a limited duty:
   
  • Must not intentionally harm the trespasser through willful, wanton, or grossly negligent acts.
     
  • Tip: Signage like "Beware of Dog" can help avoid liability.

Injury alone is not enough. To make a valid claim, you must assess:

• What caused the injury?
   
• Was the condition unreasonably dangerous?
   
• Did the owner know (or should they have known) about it?
   
• Did they exercise reasonable care?
   
• Did the condition directly cause the injury?

• Most people don’t think like lawyers—which is good—but...
   
• After an injury on someone else’s property, pause and observe.
   
• Use the Five W’s (Who, What, Where, When, Why):
   
  • Who saw it?
     
  • What caused it?
     
  • Where did it happen?
     
  • When did it happen?
     
  • Why was the hazard there?
     

💡 Tip: The more detail you gather, the easier it is for a lawyer to evaluate your claim.

Example: Slipping on a banana peel right after it drops.

• Not enough to prove liability.
   
• The owner must have had a chance to correct the hazard.

• Premises liability claims are complex and fact-intensive.
   
• The earlier and better the facts are gathered, the stronger your case.
   
• Always consult an experienced attorney if you think you might have a claim.