Premises liability exists to protect Arizona citizens when they fall victim to dangerous areas on someone else’s property. Whether the victim is injured on commercial property, city property, or private property of a homeowner, they have rights when the damages were caused by that property owner’s negligence and inability to keep the premises safe.
When you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property that was improperly maintained, you could use the help of a Mesa, AZ premises liability lawyer from our firm. We’ll ensure that your rights are protected so that you can have peace of mind when you’re filing your claim. At Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm, we’re dedicated to fighting for our clients and getting them the best outcome possible.
Arizona Premises Liability Laws
Property owners are responsible for making sure their grounds are safe for the people who will be on their property, and when they don’t do that, their visitors can be seriously injured if they get into an accident. According to Arizona premises liability law, there are three classes of people who can be on your property and different levels of responsibility for their safety.
Those classes of people are:
- Invitees. These types of visitors are those who have been invited onto the premises. For example, a customer on a business owner’s property is considered an invitee, and a tenant of an apartment is an invitee. These types of visitors are protected, and property owners should reasonably foresee any dangers that an invitee might encounter and be harmed by.
- Licensees. Licensees are awarded similar rights to invitees when they’re on someone else’s property. While they weren’t explicitly invited, they are allowed to be on the property even though they’re not benefiting the business or landowner. Examples of licensees are a utility worker or a neighbor who decided to stop by unannounced.
- Trespassers. These types of visitors are not awarded the same protections as the two above because they are on the land illegally. A trespasser would be someone breaking into a business or home without the legal right to be there. If they are injured on dangerous property, they cannot sue because they weren’t allowed on the property in the first place.
One of the biggest factors that goes into premises liability is that the owner should have known about the danger on their property but fails to inform any visitors of the danger. If the property owner claims that they didn’t know about the danger, that still might not be enough to say they’re not responsible for the injuries of visitors.
If the danger or bad conditions on the property have gone on for a long time, the property owner should be aware of it by then, meaning that they should reasonably protect their visitors from the danger. If they don’t, or if they fail to warn their visitors, then they can still be held liable for injuries that an invitee or licensee sustains.
Premises liability law can be confusing. One of our Mesa, AZ premises liability attorneys can answer all of your questions and guide you through the claims process. That way, you can feel confident in your claim and know you’re on your way to getting the justice you deserve.
Different Premises Liability Cases in Mesa, AZ
Now that you understand the laws that surround premises liability in Mesa, Arizona, you might be wondering what kinds of accidents can result from poorly maintained properties. There are many different ways that a property owner can be negligent and allow dangers on their grounds that can cause you harm. Let’s take a look at some of them.
One of the most common types of premises liability accidents are slip and falls. While many of the injuries that victims sustain from these accidents are mild, they can sometimes be serious when a person breaks their bones or hits their head on the ground or a fixed object. When you hire a lawyer for a slip and fall case, we’ll look into exactly what caused your fall, how the property manager or owner was at fault, what injuries you suffered, and what damages you should recover.
Another type of accident that falls under premises liability is dog bites. A dog’s owner has the responsibility to keep them in an enclosed area or on a leash so that they are not roaming freely and able to bite someone. If you suffer injuries from a dog bite, you don’t have to prove the dog’s owner was negligent. You only have to prove your damages in order to recover financially from a dog bite claim.
Some states still have dram shop laws, and Arizona is one of those states. This means that if you are injured in a drunk driving accident, it’s possible to hold the bar that served the driver partially responsible for what happened. Usually, you’ll have to prove that they were visibly intoxicated and still served at the bar.
When a business or property doesn’t have adequate security and visitors get hurt because of the lack of a security guard or security cameras, then that could be considered a negligent security claim that falls under premises liability. Property owners must keep their guests safe from crime, so if customers are harmed in an armed robbery or shooting, then that could fall under negligent security.
The details can be complicated, which is why it’s helpful to have a Mesa, AZ premises liability lawyer from Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm on your side. We’re here to answer your questions and support you through your claim.
Our Mesa, AZ Premises Liability Attorney Will Fight for You
When you are welcome on someone else’s property and get harmed from dangerous hazards, you might be interested in holding them accountable for their negligence. This is a vulnerable time in your life—you’re focused on healing and might be struggling financially. That’s why our Mesa, AZ premises liability attorney is here to help you.
At Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm, we’re dedicated to getting you justice. We’ll handle the legal side of things so that you can focus on getting your life back on track. Reach out to our firm today for a free consultation.
