Property owners in the state of Arizona have a legal responsibility to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. If a person gets hurt or falls while on someone else’s property, they may be able to file for compensation from the property owner in a premises liability claim.
What is premises liability law, and how can it impact you and your rights after you experience an accident on someone else’s property?
What is premises liability law?
The law holds property owners of a residential, commercial or public space legally liable for any injuries or damage that occur on their property. Examples of premises liability claims include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Escalator and elevator injuries
- Casino injury claims
- Hotel and resort injuries
- Animal attacks
- Swimming pool injuries
- Injuries at a store or business
If you or your loved one has gotten hurt from any of these situations and you want to file for damages, premises liability law will govern your case.
Are there exceptions?
A special liability rule may apply to landlords. Under this rule, landlords are not responsible for any harm caused by issues that arose after the tenant took possession of the property.
There is also another variable defined as the visitor’s status. This measures the level of responsibility a property owner must provide to a visitor on their property.
- Invitees: An invitee is a person invited on the property for business. A common example of this is a customer visiting a store.
- Licensees: A licensee is a person who is on the property for non-business purposes. This would include the property owner’s guests.
- Trespassers: A trespasser is a person who enters the property without the owner’s permission.
While property owners have the most responsibility for invitees, an owner would generally not be liable for injuries that a trespasser suffers when entering the property without consent.
What types of compensation can you receive?
Once you succeed with filing a premises liability claim, you can receive compensation for the injuries that you sustained. This can include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages due to injury
- Emotional distress
- Physical therapy
- Long-term disability
- Wrongful death
How long do you have to file a claim?
There is a two-year statute of limitations for premises liability claims. Not filing a case within this time period could mean losing the right to seek compensation for the injuries you suffered.
It can be difficult to balance deadlines and other details after an accident. By proactively seeking legal counsel, you can understand your rights, the next steps involved and your best options for claiming compensation.