When you are injured on someone else's property, you frequently have the right to collect damages. Premises liability law ensures that property owners will be held legally accountable for accidents occurring on their property as a result of unsafe conditions.

The laws governing these injuries are very complex and vary by state, so it is important to consult an experienced premises liability lawyer if you think you have a claim.

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability case. Other potential causes of claims include:

· Animal attack

· Burn injury

· Assault

· Faulty machinery

· Accidental drowning

In all cases, the accident must have resulted from the property owner's negligence in maintaining safe conditions. Injuries stemming from these accidents can range from very minor (bruises, scrapes, broken bones) to very severe (brain or spinal cord injury, severe burns). In the event that the accident leads to a person's death, it becomes a wrongful death case.

Damages in Premises Liability Cases

If a property owner doesn't take reasonable steps to prevent an accident from occurring on his land, he may be required to pay damages to the injured person. You are generally entitled to recover damages for medical costs, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

Damages associated with medical costs include:

· Medical and hospital bills

· Rehabilitation costs

· Transportation to doctor's appointments

· Ambulance costs

· Prescription costs

· Medical supplies

Lost income damages cover lost wages due to an inability to work while recovering from your injury. Living expenses such as child care and housekeeping expenses may be covered as well. In the case of a serious injury, you may also be entitled to recover damages for future losses, including the inability to earn an income or receive a promotion.

Pain and suffering is a very subjective matter, and the rules governing these damages are less concrete. You can sometimes be compensated for:

· Loss of companionship

· Loss of quality of life

· Negative impact on your marriage

Proving Fault

In order to have a valid premises liability claim, you need to prove that:

· You were injured

· The injury was the result of an unsafe condition on someone else's property

· The property owner was negligent in his responsibility of maintaining safe conditions on his property

If you suffer severe injuries, they will be easy to prove. But if your injuries are more minor in nature, they will most likely have healed by the time your case comes to trial. In these instances, you will need to provide proof of your injuries (medical records, photos, witnesses, etc.).

In certain situations, you may be found partially responsible for the accident. If this happens, the damages will be reduced to reflect the property owner's degree of negligence.