Austin Premises Liability Laws | When Is a Property Owner Liable?

Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common personal injuries to occur in Austin. Uneven sidewalks, wet floors in shopping centers or restaurants, and poorly maintained stairways or ramps are just a few of the dangerous conditions that can result in incredible injury to a slip and fall victim. After such an accident, it is imperative that you contact an established and experienced personal injury attorney, such as the Austin slip and fall accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw.

Slip and fall accidents can occur nearly anywhere. They are common in workplaces, grocery stores, hospitals, residences, parking lots, nursing homes, pools, and many other locations that people visit or reside in daily. Witch potential injuries that include trauma to the head and brain, back or neck injuries, broken bones, etc., working with an experienced attorney who will look after your best interests is necessary. That’s why lawyers at Carabin Shaw are dedicated to fighting for the justice and compensation that you or your loved one deserves.

Often, the most challenging part of a slip and fall case is proving liability for the property owner, which is why it is so important to work with an experienced attorney. Liability laws in Austin state that property owners are liable for the injuries or accidents that occur on their property, but property owners owe different levels of safety to different types of visitors to their property. This may leave you asking, “when is a property owner liable?” and “what do property owners owe to visitors?”

Licensees are visitors to a property that have implied or actual permission to be on the property for purposes outside of a mutual business benefit. This includes house guests, family members, property inspectors, and other similar individuals. Property owners are required to make all known dangers aware to the visitors, but are not necessarily required to inspect the premises and be aware of all dangers themselves. Because the property owner may not know of a danger, liability requires more proof to establish.

An invitee enters a property for the purpose of business, such as a customer at a mall, restaurant, or grocery store. These individuals are owed the greatest level of safety under Austin law. Property owners are required to inspect their property for dangerous conditions and then to make visitors aware of the danger and make those conditions safe.

Trespassers are owed the least from property owners. Liability usually only extends to property owners in the case of trespassers if there has been gross mismanagement of the property or if intentional harm was done to the trespasser. For children, however, these laws become less cut and dry, especially if the property had a feature that would reasonably attract children to it.

There are many levels to establishing liability in a slip and fall accident, especially in the case of an injured child. Working with Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw means gaining the guidance of an expert who will prioritize your health, as well as fighting for the maximum settlement you deserve under the law.

Our experts believe that you should focus on recovery after a traumatic accident, and strive to provide the means for you to do so. As such, our team offers free initial consultation and case review to provide you with the tools you need to decide on your next best step. This, coupled with a contingent-fee agreement, means that there is no up-front cost to filing your claim, and you only pay for your attorney’s services once your case has been one.

Carbon Shaw’s client reviews offer real feedback from past clients, attesting to our team's successes. If you need the aid of the best Texas personal injury law firm, our English AND Spanish-speaking staff is available 24/7 at the toll-free number 800-862-1260.