Gastonia Premises Liability Lawyer

Premises Liability Attorney in Gastonia, NC

Unsafe property conditions can cause severe injuries. These hazards may be related to maintenance, security, or avoidable design and construction defects. If you or a loved one was hurt because a property owner did not address a dangerous condition, a Gastonia premises liability lawyer can explain your legal rights. 

Roberts Law Firm, P.A., is experienced in slip and fall accidents, unsafe walkways, negligent security, and other hazardous conditions. Our firm is committed to a careful investigation and evidence-driven guidance to help injured visitors recover under North Carolina’s premises liability laws.

Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer 

Roberts Law Firm, P.A., has considerable experience with premises liability cases. Determining when and how a hazard occurred is critical to pursuing a claim. Attorneys investigate maintenance logs, video recordings, incident reports, and witness statements to piece together the circumstances of an injury. 

Our firm often consults with safety professionals, medical professionals, and engineers for insight about liability and damages. Roberts Law Firm, P.A. has handled many complex injury claims over the years and can provide authoritative, reliable guidance to people injured by unsafe property conditions in North Carolina.

Types of Premises Liability Hazards 

A variety of unsafe conditions can lead to premises liability claims. Wet floors, uneven pavement, loose carpeting, broken handrails, poor lighting, falling merchandise, and security lapses are common types of hazards. Property owners, managers, and even tenants may be responsible for maintaining a property. 

Someone, however, has a duty to discover and fix these hazards within a reasonable time. An investigation will usually document the hazard, examine repair logs, interview witnesses, and try to determine how long the hazard existed. This evidence can be used to determine whether the property owner breached a legal duty of care.

Gathering Evidence of Negligence

Determining liability involves establishing that the premises owner knew, or should have known, about the danger and failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk. Lawyers may want to examine surveillance video, maintenance logs, inspection routines, and any past repairs. Photos, witness statements, and professional testimony can help to establish how the hazard occurred. The date and time are also important. 

It matters, for example, whether the spill occurred moments before the fall or had been present long enough for the owner to have discovered it. An investigation of these elements can help to substantiate the visiting party’s right to recover damages.

Inspection Factors in Gastonia Premises Liability Cases 

Premises liability cases in Gastonia may require an understanding of traffic flow on busy streets, such as Franklin Boulevard, at a shopping center off Cox Road, or at a grocery store along New Hope Road. Crowded commercial areas can pose hazards such as slippery surfaces, congested entryways, and uneven sidewalks that recur daily. 

An investigation should help to determine whether the employees have an established protocol to mitigate the risk, whether they acted in a timely manner to address a known danger, or if they regularly meet company safety standards. A Gastonia-specific investigation can help ensure that the claim considers the conditions that existed at that location.

Long-Term Consequences of Premises Liability Injuries 

In some cases, premises liability injuries can lead to long-term challenges. This can include chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent physical limitations. These factors can make it difficult for people to continue working or fulfill daily responsibilities. Additionally, victims of premises liability incidents may also experience psychological effects. These can include anxiety, fear of falling, or challenges in navigating public spaces after the accident. 

All of these can be major inconveniences that have a lasting impact and disrupt a person’s life. This is why it is important to consider the long-term consequences of the injury and understand the full scope of the damage. Ongoing medical care, therapy, or lifestyle changes may be necessary to manage these long-term effects.

FAQs

Q: How Common Are Injuries on Unsafe Properties? 

A: Slip-and-fall and other premises-related injuries are more common than many people think. The CDC reports that 3 million elders visit emergency rooms each year due to fall-related injuries. These injuries can include head trauma, hip fractures, and other damage. Such incidents can occur in a store, a parking lot, an apartment complex, or another public building. 

Determining how long the hazard was present and whether the property owner followed the recommended maintenance guidelines is critical to proving liability.

Q: What Responsibilities Do Property Owners in North Carolina Owe to Lawful Visitors?

A: Premises liability in North Carolina is largely based on an underlying theory of negligence rather than a single legislative provision. An owner’s or occupier’s duty to keep the premises reasonably safe for invitees or lawful visitors generally requires reasonable inspection, repair, and warning of dangers. These duties may be modified by the type of premises and foreseeability of injury. Factors for consideration include maintenance and incident history.

Q: How Common Are Falls Caused by Environmental Hazards?

A: Environmental factors such as slippery floors, obstructed walkways, or inadequate lighting lead to many injuries annually. According to the CDC, one in five fall-related injuries is considered serious, resulting in conditions such as fractures or head injuries. 

Common locations for these incidents include retail stores, apartment buildings, and parking garages. In a premises liability claim, the length of time the hazardous condition existed and the reasonableness of the owner’s response are crucial factors.

Q: What Makes a Property Owner Legally Responsible for an Injury?

A: A property owner may be legally responsible if they knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and did not take reasonable steps to correct it. The presence of inspection logs, repair records, or witness testimony can help determine whether the hazard was ignored or reported. The visitor’s presence on the property can also play a role in establishing liability, as the level of care owed may vary.

Contact a Gastonia Premises Liability Lawyer

A serious injury from an unsafe property can negatively impact every aspect of a person’s life. A consultation with a legal firm like Roberts Law Firm, P.A., can clarify the options available and the remedies that may be pursued. If you want to hire a premises liability lawyer in Gastonia who can guide you through the claims process, book a consultation with us today.

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