When you are on public or private property, it is reasonable to expect that the owners of the property will take basic measures to ensure your safety. Actions, like shoveling snow from a walkway or cleaning up spills as soon as possible, are examples of these basic measures.
Unfortunately, sometimes property owners fail to take such measures to ensure the safety of people who are legally on their property. In turn, accidents happen that can cause serious and debilitating injuries.
A St. Louis premises liability lawyer could help you get compensation for your injuries if you were injured in an accident on unmaintained property. Skilled personal injury lawyers could help you determine who is liable for your accident, establish their responsibility, and help you file the necessary documents in time.
Who is Liable for an Injury on a Property?
Sometimes it is clear who the defendant is in premises liability cases and sometimes it can be more complex. Under Missouri laws, the person who owns or controls the property at the time of the accident is the person liable for the injuries.
Once it is determined who is at fault for the accident, a seasoned legal team in St. Louis can build a case around how the actions or inactions of that party led to the accident, and therefore, the plaintiff’s injuries. Premises liability lawyers can also prove that the plaintiff suffered damages due to the other party’s negligence. These elements are required to win a premises liability case.
Statute of Limitations in St. Louis
If you intend to file a lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries, there is a state-imposed deadline for doing so. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.
Per Missouri Revised Statutes 516.120, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for an injury sustained on the property of someone else is five years from the date of the accident.
However, if the victim did not discover their injuries from the accident until a later date, the five-year deadline may be delayed to begin on the date of discovery. A premises liability lawyer in St. Louis can provide more information on how the statute of limitations applies to specific circumstances.
If a lawsuit is not filed within the five-year limit, a claimant will lose their right topursue the lawsuit. Acting within the statute of limitations is an important way to ensure you can fight for compensation for an injury sustained on the property of another party.
Speak with a St. Louis Premises Liability Attorney Today
By contacting a St. Louis premises liability lawyer, you can find out if your injuries qualify for a premise liability case. If so, experienced attorneys have the knowledge and power to represent you from the beginning to the end of the case.
They can begin the process by sending a firm demand letter to the property owners who are liable for your injuries. If this does not produce the results that you want, our premises liability lawyers in St. Louis are not afraid to take your case to trial to pursue the monetary award you deserve. They can craft a strong case and refute the defense’s claims. Call today to discuss your legal rights and options.