Premises Liability Attorney Arlington VA

What to Do If You Are Injured on Someone Else’s Property

In Virginia, property owners have a duty to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for people who visit the property or who have permission to be on the property. This includes invitees and licensees but, generally speaking, excludes trespassers. If you were harmed due to a dangerous condition—such as an unmarked wet floor or a poorly-lit stairwell—you may be able to hold the property owner responsible and seek compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other losses.

The Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC has successfully handled thousands of injury cases throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. We have seen firsthand the impact that dangerous property conditions can have on the lives of individuals and families. If you were harmed as a result of a property owner’s negligence, reach out to our Arlington premises liability lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Call (703) 647-4113 or contact us online to request your free initial consultation.

How Premises Liability Claims Work in Virginia

Premises liability claims are some of the most common types of personal injury claims. That being said, many people are unaware of how the process works or if they even have a case. Injured individuals may be hesitant to pursue such a claim, believing that their injuries were caused as a result of their own carelessness. However, if you were injured due to a dangerous condition that the property owner knew of or should have known of, yet did nothing to correct, you likely have grounds for legal action.

In order to pursue a premises liability claim in Virginia, you will need to establish the following:

• The property owner owed you a duty of reasonable care. Typically, this can be shown by proving you were on the property legally, either as an invitee (e.g. a customer or client, an employee, etc.) or as a licensee (e.g. a guest). Note: property owners do not typically owe trespassers (those on the property illegally) a duty of care, though there are certain exceptions for young children. Additionally, property owners cannot try to intentionally harm trespassers.
• The property owner violated the duty of reasonable care. In most cases, this involves the existence of a dangerous condition that the property owner knew of or should have known of but did nothing to fix the condition or warn others of its existence. For example, if a jar of clear liquid falls in a store and the liquid is not cleaned up or properly marked with warning signs, the property owner has violated the duty of reasonable care.
• You were injured as a result of the violation of the duty of reasonable care. This is the case if you are injured or harmed due to a dangerous condition on the property that the property owner has done nothing to fix or address. Using the previous example, if you slip, fall, and break your arm due to the spilled liquid that has not been cleaned up or properly marked, you will likely have grounds for a premises liability claim.

What Are “Dangerous Property Conditions?”

Often, dangerous property conditions lead to very serious injuries and can sometimes lead to death.

Examples of these types of conditions include:

• Unsafe swimming pools
• Defective amusement park rides
• Lack of sufficient lighting
• Unmarked exits
• Accumulated ice, snow, or water
• Uneven flooring
• Ripped or torn carpeting
• Negligent security/lack of security
• Defective roads or sidewalks
• Dangerous animals, including dogs
• Lack of proper railings
• Unsafe stairs

This list is not exhaustive; there are many other types of conditions which may exist and which may be deemed “dangerous.” It is important to note that the mere fact that a dangerous condition existed is not enough to pursue a claim. You must also show that the property owner was aware (or should have been aware) of the condition and that he or she did not take reasonable steps to address, fix, or correct the condition. Additionally, you must show that this directly or indirectly led to your accident/injuries.

Call Us for a Free Consultation

Premises liability claims can be very complex, especially when the property in question is a commercial space. There may be several liable parties, including third parties. It is important that you discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

At the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC, we have recovered more than $25 million on behalf of injured individuals and the families of those killed due to negligence. Our Arlington premises liability attorney can help you fully understand your options and work toward a favorable outcome.

Submit an online request form or contact us by phone at (703) 647-4113 to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation today.