Suffering a serious injury on someone else’s property can leave you with medical bills, missed work, and a lot of questions about what you should do next. If unsafe property conditions caused your injuries, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the property owner or another party who was responsible for keeping the property safe. 

An experienced premises liability lawyer in San Antonio, TX can help you understand your legal rights and make the recovery process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. At The Patel Firm, our personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience handling personal injury claims. Our legal team focuses on providing personalized service and compassionate legal representation to accident victims. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Why Choose The Patel Firm for Your Premises Liability Case

Selecting a San Antonio premises liability attorney to represent you after a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property is an important decision. The personal injury lawyer you choose will be your guide throughout the claims process. A favorable outcome may depend on choosing the right premises liability attorney in San Antonio to handle your case. 

Here are just a few reasons personal injury victims consistently choose The Patel Firm to provide legal assistance:

  • Our premises liability attorneys are available 24/7 and respond quickly to phone calls, text messages, and emails.
  • We strive to build close client relationships. We’ll never treat you like a case number.
  • We have an outstanding track record in representing injured people in San Antonio, the greater Coastal Bend region, and throughout Texas.
  • We fight for maximum compensation in every case and won’t hesitate to take a strong case to court if doing so provides the best path for the client.
  • We work on a contingency fee basis, charging no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.

The Patel Firm has obtained millions of dollars in court awards and settlements for clients. While past case results are not predictive of future outcomes, they do reflect our extensive experience handling such cases.

Read the testimonials that former clients shared about the legal representation our law firm provided:

“I’m so thankful for The Patel Firm. From start to finish, they made me feel supported and really cared about my case. They were always there to answer my questions and made everything so much easier. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone who needs help after an accident.” — Irelyn L., San Antonio, TX

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to an area of personal injury law that deals with injuries caused by unsafe conditions on another person’s property. Property owners and others who control a property have a legal responsibility to keep the area reasonably safe for people who are allowed to be there. When a property owner’s failure to meet that legal duty caused someone to suffer injuries, the injured party may have a valid premises liability claim.

When Can a Property Owner Be Held Liable?

To hold a property owner or another responsible party liable for an accident that injured you, you must show that their negligence caused the accident. This means that you need to prove that the property owner had a legal obligation to protect you from harm and failed to meet it.

A premises liability claim may depend on whether a hazardous condition existed on the property and whether the owner knew or should have known about it. If the owner had enough time to discover the danger and take reasonable steps to fix it or warn visitors, their failure to do so may support your personal injury claim.

You must also show that the dangerous condition caused the accident and that you sustained actual injuries or losses as a result. Ultimately, the facts surrounding the property, the hazardous condition, and how the injury happened can all affect whether someone bears legal liability for harming you. An experienced premises liability attorney from our local law firm can evaluate your situation and explain whether you have a viable legal claim.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Premises liability accidents can happen almost anywhere. They may occur at any of the following locations:

  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Apartment buildings
  • Shopping centers
  • Parking lots
  • Office buildings
  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Swimming pools
  • Construction sites
  • Private homes
  • Government property

Property owners and the property management companies they entrust to handle maintenance and repairs are responsible for keeping areas reasonably safe and warning visitors of any hazardous conditions. 

An unsafe property accident lawyer with The Patel Firm can handle a wide range of premises liability cases, including those resulting from:

  • Slip-and-fall accidents due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, and other unsafe conditions
  • Negligent maintenance and failure to repair hazardous conditions
  • Falling merchandise that was improperly stacked or secured
  • Swimming pool accidents that lead to falls, drowning, or other injuries
  • Dog bites or other animal attacks
  • Elevator and escalator accidents due to poor maintenance or defects
  • Construction site hazards that put visitors and passersby at risk
  • Inadequate security that leaves visitors at risk of assaults or other crimes
  • Negligent security and failure to address security concerns

Common Hazardous Property Conditions

Premises liability accidents often happen because someone failed to inspect, repair, or maintain a property. Dangerous property conditions may develop gradually or appear suddenly, requiring prompt action by the property owner or manager to prevent an accident.

Some of the most common hazardous property conditions include:

  • Wet or slippery floors
  • Broken or uneven sidewalks
  • Loose carpeting or floor mats
  • Transitions between flooring materials
  • Poor lighting in walkways or stairwells
  • Broken stairs or handrails
  • Potholes in parking lots
  • Exposed electrical wiring
  • Cluttered walkways or blocked exits
  • Missing warning signs
  • Broken gates, locks, or inadequate security measures
  • Unsafe balconies or railings
  • Debris left in areas used by visitors

What Financial Compensation May Be Available?

If you suffered injuries due to a dangerous property condition, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries sustained and your resulting financial losses. How much money may be available depends on the specific facts of your case. The severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life can significantly affect how much compensation you may be entitled to recover.

Financial losses such as medical expenses and lost income tend to be easier to calculate than pain and suffering and other personal losses, which don’t have precise dollar amounts attached to them. An unsafe property accident lawyer with The Patel Firm can review the details of the accident and determine the amount of compensation to seek for losses such as:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages from time away from work
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental or emotional distress
  • Physical impairment or disability
  • Property damage related to the accident

Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability in Texas

We know you likely have a lot of questions about how premises liability cases work and what you can expect from the legal process. Here are answers to some of the questions we receive most often at The Patel Firm. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions of your own.

Who can be held liable for a premises liability accident in Texas?

Liability depends on who owned, controlled, or was responsible for the property at the time of the accident. Potentially liable parties in these cases include the following:

  • Property owner
  • Landlord
  • Business owner
  • Property management company
  • Another party responsible for maintaining the area. 

In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility for the unsafe condition that caused severe injuries. The Patel Firm can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance companies.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Texas?

In most Texas personal injury cases, state law allows two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Some situations, including claims arising from accidents on government property, may have different rules or shorter notice deadlines. Missing a filing deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation. It’s important to have a premises liability lawyer in San Antonio review your case as soon as possible after an accident.

What happens if I’m partially at fault?

Texas uses a proportionate responsibility rule. Under this law, you may still recover compensation if you are 50 percent or less at fault, but any compensation you receive will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, Texas law bars you from recovering compensation.

What evidence can help prove a premises liability claim?

Some useful types of evidence in common premises liability cases include the following:

  • Photos or videos of the dangerous condition
  • Surveillance footage
  • Accident reports
  • Witness statements
  • Medical records
  • Property maintenance and inspection records

Evidence showing how long the hazard existed can also be important when determining whether the property owner should have known about the danger.

Whose insurance covers premises liability claims?

Which insurance policy covers your losses depends on where the accident happened and who was responsible. For example, a homeowner’s liability policy may apply if the accident took place at a private residence and was caused by negligent property owners. A commercial liability policy may apply if the accident happened at a commercial property. The exact coverage available depends on the location of the accident and the terms of the policy.

Speak With an Attorney from The Patel Firm for a Premises Liability Case Review

If you have been injured and have mounting medical bills because someone else didn’t maintain their property, you don’t have to face the insurance claims process alone. You need a law firm that knows Texas premises liability law and has a strong track record of success. Turn to The Patel Firm for legal guidance and support at every stage of your personal injury case. To arrange a free consultation and get the legal representation you need at no financial risk, contact our office to speak with a property owner negligence attorney in San Antonio.