Northern Virginia Premises Liability Attorneys Fighting For The Compensation You Deserve

Last updated on June 5, 2024

When you are hurt on another person’s property, your first thought may simply be getting the help and care you need. However, you may be eligible for compensation for any medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering you endured due to the negligence of a property owner.

In order to obtain that compensation, it is vital to preserve any evidence involved in your accident. That is where the premises liability attorneys at Sethi & Sledd, PLLC, can step in to help.

Where Do Premises Liability Laws Apply?

Most people don’t realize that when they are on another person’s property (so long as they aren’t trespassing), they may be covered by premises liability laws if they suffer an injury caused by a property issue.

Accidents involving premises liability can occur practically anywhere, such as:

• Hotels
• Parking lots or garages
• Restaurants/cafes/diners
• Shopping areas
• Grocery stores
• Hospitals
• Sports arenas
• Neighbor’s house
• Apartment buildings

Incidents can occur due to lack of security, poor lighting, damaged structures, unmaintained faculties, dangerous hazards, and various other issues left unfixed by the property owner or manager. Our Virginia and Washington, D.C., premises liability lawyers have represented countless clients in tough and complicated cases against negligent property owners.

Understanding Virginia Premises Liability Law

Just because you were hurt while on another person’s property, it doesn’t automatically mean that you have a valid premises liability claim. It is important to understand the laws involved in such cases so that you can determine how to move forward. In Virginia, business and property owners are under a legal duty to maintain their space and keep it in a safe condition.

Some of the important factors which may determine whether you have a case:

• The property owner knew about or should have known about hazards on the property
• The owner/employees had adequate time to repair or resolve the dangerous condition
• It was foreseeable that a customer or visitor could be injured due to this hazard
• You, as a visitor or customer, were actually injured due to the unsafe condition(s)

If you were trespassing or acting in a negligent/reckless manner, you may be blamed for contributing to your injury by failing to see the obvious hazard. This is important as Virginia law states that you bear responsibility for your own safety under reasonable circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability In Virginia

Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions that we receive about property injuries. After reading, contact Sethi & Sledd, PLLC, with any additional questions you may have.

What is premises liability?

Premises liability is a sub-category of personal injury law. It is based on the idea that property owners owe a duty of care to visitors and guests to ensure that the property is relatively safe and free of hazards. When guests are injured due to a dangerous condition or hazard, the property owner may be held liable for those injuries and other losses.

Do I have to be on a commercial property to have a case?

No, you don’t. Many premises liability claims relate to commercial properties like retailers, malls, grocery stores and restaurants. This is because these locations tend to have a high volume of visitors.

However, under the right circumstances, the owner of a private residential property may also be held liable for injuries suffered by guests and others who were legally on the premises. Common residential claims include those related to unguarded swimming pools, trees with loose branches or structural damage and dog bites/attacks.

What happens if I am injured on a public sidewalk?

As in all personal injury claims, the details are highly important. For instance, the sidewalks in a residential area may be public, but city ordinances might require homeowners to reasonably maintain the areas of sidewalks in front of their homes. If you slipped on uncleared snow and ice, for example, a particular homeowner could be considered liable.

If you were injured on an area of sidewalk that was owned and maintained by a city or town, you may be able to pursue a premises liability claim against the local government. Be aware that claims against government agencies often have much stricter rules and tighter filing deadlines, so it is important to discuss your options with an attorney without delay.

What are some common premises injuries?

As mentioned above, the most frequent defendants in slip-and-fall claims are commercial property owners. These claims often relate to:

• Slip-and-fall accidents (due to freshly mopped floors, spilled liquids and other hazards)
• Trip-and-fall accidents (due to poorly placed merchandise, uneven flooring, loose carpet, etc.)
• Stairway accidents (due to poor lighting, uneven steps, missing handrails, etc.)
• Fire injuries
• Elevator and escalator accidents

The list above is far from complete. There are perhaps thousands of ways to be injured on dangerous private property.

Proven Representation Just a Phone Call Away

We cannot stress enough how crucial it is to have a seasoned Virginia and Washington, D.C., personal injury attorney by your side during this time. At Sethi & Sledd, PLLC, we bring a collective 30-plus years of legal insight and experience to the table. We know how to win complicated cases and aren’t afraid to take matters to trial.

When you want an aggressive litigator and skilled negotiator on your side, be sure to call Sethi & Sledd, PLLC, at 703-214-9671 or fill out our online contact form. Our main office is located in Reston, but we assist clients throughout Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well as Washington, D.C.