Des Moines Premises Liability Lawyers

Negligent Property Owners Could be Liable for Your Damages

Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises that do not place persons they expect to be on their property at unreasonable risk for harm or injury. Premises liability injuries can turn a seemingly routine trip to the grocery store into the source of exorbitant physical pain and financial stress. When a property owner fails to identify possible hazards in a timely manner or perform routine maintenance, everyone who steps foot on their premises could be seriously injured.

In the event of an injury caused by an unsafe condition or lack of warning, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim against the property owner or persons performing work on the property. A skilled lawyer will help you understand if you have a case or not, and how much compensation you may be able to collect for your losses. When a business or property owner has foregone their responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises, they should be held accountable for their carelessness.

At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., our experienced attorneys have the resources and determination you are seeking, and they will treat your case with the utmost care.

To schedule a free consultation with a Des Moines premises liability lawyer, please contact an attorney at LaMarca Law Group, P.C.by calling (515) 705-0233.

Do I Need a Premises Liability Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured on unsafe property, you are likely dealing with a variety of challenges, including medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, and diminished quality of life. While some accident victims make a full recovery from their injuries, this is, unfortunately, not the case for everyone. When an injury not only threatens your financial security but your health, you can’t afford to take a chance on your legal representation.

While some people may believe that bringing a lawyer into the fold will only serve to complicate their situation, the truth is that a skilled premises liability attorney has the knowledge, experience, and time necessary to win your case. Shifting the burden of proving your case onto an attorney will take the stress off you and give you more time to focus on your recovery.

Additionally, when you file a claim against a business or property owner that failed to maintain or secure their premises, they will likely push back on your claims. In other words, they’re not going to make it easy for you. Your lawyer will fight back against defenses that the at-fault party may level against you. A premises liability attorney will also help determine the value of your claim by estimating your future expenses and putting accurate numerical values on non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Having an accurate idea of how much your claim is worth will prevent you from settling for less than you deserve.

Understanding the Legal Process in Premises Liability Cases

If you've been injured on someone else's property due to their negligence, it's important to understand the legal process involved in pursuing a premises liability claim. Our Des Moines premises liability lawyers at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. are here to guide you through every step of the process and fight for your rights to compensation.

Here's what you can expect when pursuing a premises liability claim:

1. Investigation: We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and identify any potential sources of liability.
2. Negotiation: We will negotiate with the property owner's insurance company to reach a fair settlement for your damages.
3. Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case to court and fight for your rights in front of a judge and jury.
4. Resolution: Once a settlement or verdict has been reached, we will work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., we have extensive experience handling premises liability cases and know how to navigate the legal system to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Des Moines personal injury lawyers.

Why Hire LaMarca Law Group, P.C. to Handle My Case?

The lawyers at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. know that when you are looking for legal representation, you need a team that you can trust. Making the decision to hire an attorney is something that every injury victim should put considerable thought and time into. If you choose LaMarca Law Group, P.C. to represent your case, we are focused on who you are, what you’ve lost, and what you need. This comprehensive understanding informs the legal approach that we take as we oversee your case.

We have been fighting for members of the Des Moines community for years, recovering millions of dollars in compensation in that period of time. While we are proud of the amount of money that we have won in settlements and verdicts, but we are most proud of the support that we have been able to offer fellow Iowans. When you are injured because of the carelessness or negligence of another party, we believe in your ability to seek justice and recover what you’ve lost. When you are hurt, it is our mission to provide the best possible representation.

In addition to having an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, some of our many accolades include being named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Especially if you’ve never needed a lawyer before, the process of hiring a lawyer can seem daunting. Our team is dedicated to making the entire legal process accessible to you. It’s simple: When you need a lawyer, we want to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Premises liability is a nuanced and complicated area of the law. Most people who are considering filing a premises liability lawsuit aren’t completely sure what they are getting themselves into. To ease your concerns, we have provided the answers to some of the questions we hear most often at our office.

How long does a hazard have to exist to hold the property owner responsible?

Like many questions surrounding personal injury law, there is no black-and-white answer here. While it would be helpful to have a precise time, it’s also very difficult to prove when exactly a property owner knew about the hazard. When determining fault, the court takes into consideration whether the property owner was aware or should have been aware of the danger and didn’t do anything about it in a “reasonable amount of time.” If a patron at a restaurant trips and falls on a loose or broken step and the owner knew about the step but didn’t take action, the victim has a good chance at compensation. However, if the owner hasn’t yet repaired the step but instead closed the steps or put a sign out warning of the danger, the court may deem that appropriate action. These types of cases can be complicated and often hinge on small details. That’s why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side.

What should I do immediately after a slip or trip and fall accident?

The most important thing to do following an accident on a dangerous property is to report the accident, injury, and the cause/location of the accident right away to the property owner or management. If possible, try to make sure the employee, manager, or owner fills out some kind of accident report, and get a copy to take with you if you can. If you leave the store, restaurant, parking lot, etc. without telling anyone and try to come back later to report an injury, your case may be incredibly difficult to prove and win. You should also try and get names and statements from any witnesses who saw your accident and include those on the report. Witnesses can include any other patrons in the store—strangers or people you were with—as well as employees. Also be sure to see if there were any warning signs in the area of your accident and include that on the report to prevent managers or employees from putting up a sign after your accident and claiming it was there all along. Taking pictures of the accident scene is especially valuable in this regard. After leaving the premises, seek medical treatment for your injuries and finally call a premises liability attorney.

Who should I and shouldn’t I speak with following an accident?

Insurance companies will do anything in their power to discredit your story or pay you as little as possible following an accident. Because of this, they may use some deceitful tactics to get you to admit the accident was partially your fault. The most important thing to remember is to never give a statement or talk with an insurance company, risk management department, or anyone else connected with the business over the phone before talking with a personal injury lawyer first. In most cases, your attorney will handle all communication with the property owner to prevent you from making any statement that might weaken your case or prevent you from recovering the financial compensation you need to pay for medical bills and other expenses related to your injuries.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Generally speaking, the statute of limitations, or the amount of time you are allowed to file an injury claim, is 2 years in the state of Iowa. So, as long as you take action within 2 years of the event that caused your injuries, you could recover compensation. In the event that you do not file your claim within this period of time, you have essentially forgone your right to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries.

To be clear, even though you have 2 years, it is best to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. When you reach out to a lawyer sooner rather than later, your lawyer will have much better access to crucial case information like scene evidence and witness statements. Access to these resources will allow them to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

Contact Our Des Moines Attorneys Handling Slip and Fall Cases

We urge you to contact us to speak with a Des Moines premises liability lawyer if you or someone you love has been injured on another party’s property as a result of a hazardous or unsafe condition. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, and an experienced premises liability attorney from our Des Moines law office can help ensure your rights are protected. The statute of limitations restricts the amount of time a plaintiff can file after they have been injured, so it is in your best interest to act quickly.

To schedule a free consultation regarding slip and fall litigation, contact the attorneys at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. today at (515) 705-0233.