When you’re out and about, you probably are not thinking about all of the ways you could possibly get hurt. If you are not doing anything risky or dangerous, you are not considering the potential hazards you are facing at any given moment. In reality, there are things all around that can cause harm, even if you are doing something as simple as running errands or walking down a sidewalk.
Dangerous premises can lead to falls and other types of accidents that can leave a person gravely injured. Most West Virginia victims don’t realize these types of accidents were perhaps due to something more than just their clumsiness or inattentiveness. If you think your accident was the result of dangerous property conditions or factors beyond your control, you could have grounds to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim.
Who is to blame?
It is not always easy to determine who is to blame for a slip-and-fall accident or trip-and-fall accident. Property owners are responsible for maintaining premises that are free from unnecessary hazards and things that could cause people harm. Visitors to the property have the right to a reasonable expectation of safety. The owner of the property may be liable for what happened to you if the following apply to your situation:
- The owner or employees who work there or maintain the property should have seen the hazard and known that it could pose a danger to others.
- The owner or employees knew that there was a hazard that would potentially cause harm to others, and they did nothing to fix the issue.
- The employees or owner actually caused the conditions that proved to be hazardous to others.
These types of cases can be complex, and you may not be sure of exactly what factors played a role in your accident or who may be to blame. This is why it can be beneficial to seek legal guidance and an evaluation of your case as soon as possible after a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident.
Your rights as a victim
You do not have to wonder about your legal options or assume there is nothing you can do about your accident. It is possible you have grounds to fight for financial compensation for your losses. Premises liability cases are time sensitive, and you will find it beneficial to take quick action to determine how you should proceed with a civil claim.