When you’re on someone else’s property, you generally assume that the property is free of hazards. When a property owner fails to maintain their property to ensure it is reasonably safe, and you get injured as a result, the owner could be liable for your injuries.
What should you do when you’re injured? What steps should you take to protect yourself after an accident? In this post, we’ll look at some of these common questions.
If you were injured on someone else’s property in East Tennessee, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Terry Law Firm today. We offer a free consultation, and our experienced premises liability lawyers are ready to help you.
Is the Property Owner Liable for My Injuries?
After an injury, many people have questions like, “Can you sue someone for getting hurt on their property?” or “Can you sue someone for falling on their property?” The answer is often yes. That’s because, under Tennessee law, the owner of a property could be liable if you’re injured on their property. But liability will depend on the specific facts of your situation.
To determine whether a property owner could be liable, you’ll need to answer a few questions:
- Did the owner allow an unreasonably unsafe condition to exist on their property? For example, hazardous conditions such as broken handrails or slippery floors could hurt you. If the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about an unsafe condition on their property and failed to remedy that issue, they could be liable for your injuries.
- What was your relationship with the property owner? Under the law, property owners owe a duty of care to their guests. For example, if you’re shopping at a business or staying at a rented mountain cabin, you are likely legally considered a guest. But that doesn’t extend to everyone, such as trespassers who aren’t allowed on the property.
What Should I Do If I Was Injured on Someone Else’s Property?
Here are the steps you should take after an accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Gather and preserve relevant evidence or information.
- File an incident report or request a copy of any reports.
- Request medical records and hold on to expense receipts.
- Refrain from signing anything or providing a recorded statement to insurers without obtaining legal advice.
- Speak with a premises liability lawyer or cabin rental attorney as soon as possible.
Filing a Claim and Seeking Compensation
When you need to bring a claim for compensation, many steps are involved, from gathering and preserving evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or even filing a lawsuit in court. An experienced lawyer knows the process and can advocate for your compensation every step of the way.
After an injury, you don’t have to handle your claim alone. A lawyer can help you build a solid case and pursue the compensation you deserve to cover your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Talk to Our Tennessee Premises Liability Lawyers for Help Today
Contact The Terry Law Firm now if you’ve suffered injuries in town or out at a rented mountain cabin. We have more than 50 years of combined legal experience, and we have a long track record of securing favorable outcomes for clients throughout East Tennessee.
We understand that you may not have worked with a lawyer before. That’s why we’re ready to answer your questions with a free consultation. For yours, get in touch with us now.
