Cincinnati Premises Liability Lawyer

When you step onto someone else’s property, you have the right to a reasonable expectation of safety. The property owner does not have to guarantee that nothing bad will happen to you, but he or she does have to take measures to reasonably prevent foreseeable accidents. Failure to do so could result in visitor accidents and injuries.

If you or a loved one has injuries from an unsafe premises in Cincinnati, you may have a claim against the property owner. The Cincinnati premises liability attorney at Elk & Elk Co., Ltd can discuss your case and legal options during a free consultation. Call (513) 370-5807 today.

Why Choose Elk & Elk Co., Ltd?

  • We have successfully represented injured victims for more than 50 years. We have a long history of success, with over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients.
  • We maintain open communication with our clients. Your needs will contribute to the comprehensive legal strategy we build for you.
  • We operate on a contingency fee basis. You will only pay attorney’s fees if we win your case. We do not charge anything up front.

When to Contact a Cincinnati Premises Liability Attorney

A premises liability case will involve an insurance claim with the at-fault property owner’s home or business insurer. Insurance companies are not on your side. The claims adjuster may try to lowball your damages and offer less than your case is worth. Do not fall for common deny-and-delay tactics. Instead, hire an attorney to take over insurance negotiations for you. An unsafe premises lawyer in Cincinnati can advocate for your rights after a serious premises accident and protect you from unfair insurance companies.

Types of Unsafe Premises Accidents

These are common examples of unsafe premises accidents that could expose the owner to liability.

  • Slip and fall
  • Dog bite
  • Swimming pool accident
  • Elevator/escalator accident
  • Fire or flood
  • Negligent security
  • Structural collapse
  • Falling objects
  • Workplace accidents
  • Snow and ice accidents

Any unsafe premises contain a defect, hazard, or element that is unreasonably dangerous for visitors. Any accident that likely would not have happened were it not for the property defect may be grounds for a claim.

Three Types of Property Visitors

In Ohio, three types of property visitors exist. Property owners owe different legal duties to each type according to the law.

  1. Invitee. Invitees are people the owner invites onto the property for his or her own purposes, such as customers at a business. Invitees receive the highest standards of care. Property owners must inspect for unknown hazards, repair known ones, and warn of existing dangers.
  2. Licensee. A licensee also has permission to enter the property but does so for the licensee’s purposes. An example of a licensee is a salesperson. Licensees do not receive as high a standard of care as invitees. Property owners do not need to inspect for unknown hazards for licensees.
  3. Trespasser. A trespasser does not have the owner’s permission to enter the property. The owner does not owe the trespasser any standards of care, except not to cause intentional harm. The only exception is if the trespasser is a child.

Determining your classification as a visitor will help you establish what duties – if any – the defendant owed you prior to your accident. This can help you and your Cincinnati personal injury attorney establish fault for your premises accident.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Premises Liability Case?

Yes, Ohio law imposes a statute of limitations for premises liability claims. You have two years from the date of the accident to file your case.

If you miss this deadline, you risk losing your right to seek compensation for your injuries. To protect your ability to recover damages, it’s advisable to consult with a Cincinnati premises liability attorney as soon as possible.

Contact Our Cincinnati Premises Liability Lawyer Today

Elk & Elk Co., Ltd can help you navigate Ohio’s premises liability laws. We can identify the defendant, inspect the property, gather any available evidence of negligence, file your claim, and fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us now to request a free initial case evaluation in Cincinnati.