Stamford Premises Liability Lawyer

Premises Accidents Attorney in Stamford, CT

In Connecticut, property owners have a legal duty to reasonably maintain their premises. If they fail, and a visitor is injured, the victim may be able to pursue a legal case against the owner. A Stamford premises liability lawyer can help evaluate your case to see if you can file a claim.

Choose a Trusted Stamford Premises Liability Attorney Today

Working with a Stamford personal injury lawyer from Buckley Wynne & Parese can help you understand your legal rights and options under Connecticut law. Our attorneys focus on personal injury law, representing clients at all stages of legal proceedings, up to and including the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Started back in 1881, our law firm has expanded and evolved over the years, but still retains the core belief of helping those who need it most. We value making the legal process as accessible as possible for our new clients, so they can navigate their case seamlessly. We’re available all hours of the day to help answer any concerns you may have about your case.

Common Injuries in a Premises Liability Case

In 2022, there were 26.2 million trips to the emergency room throughout the United States because of an unintentional injury, with 222,698 people in the United States passing away that year as a result. Many of these injuries occur on another person’s property. A premises liability case can cover a wide variety of different scenarios, commonly including:

• Slip and fall injuries. These occur due to a property owner failing to clean up hazards or spills. This often happens while walking in a restaurant and slipping on a spilled drink, slipping on a spill in a grocery store aisle, or falling from uneven flooring in a hotel.
• Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and fractures. These can occur when the victim trips over hazards or when objects fall onto the victim.
• Electric shocks. These can be due to faulty wiring or other electrical hazards.
• Dog bite injuries, including facial and limb lacerations. Property owners are responsible for preventing their pets from attacking others. When they fail at this duty, a case can be opened against them. It’s estimated that around 4.5 million people throughout the United States experience a dog attack every year.
• Burns. These are often caused by preventable fire hazards.
• Injuries from crimes, such as assaults resulting in bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, or bruising. In 2023, there were 1,625 crimes against people committed in Stamford. As with other types of premises liability cases, property owners must implement proper security measures to keep others safe.
• Disease or illness caused by toxic chemical exposure. This can often result from an owner failing to address black mold, lead paint, or asbestos issues, leading visitors to become sick and experience respiratory problems or infections.

Depending on the type of incident and injury, victims can spend months or years trying to recover. This will not only make their financial losses high, but their personal and emotional losses too.

Steps to Take After a Premises Liability Injury in Stamford

No matter the type of incident, after being injured on someone else’s premises, there are several key steps to take to preserve your safety and future legal case. It’s important to:

1. Call 911 to report the incident and request law enforcement to write an incident report.You’ll also want to request medical attention, even if you feel okay. Certain injuries, such as internal bleeding, may take longer to present symptoms.

   You may also be experiencing a rush of adrenaline, which can make it difficult to understand the extent of your injuries. Seek medical attention at the Stamford Hospital Emergency Department if injuries are severe.

2. Collect the contact and insurance information of the other party involved in the incident.This can be done while waiting for the Stamford Police Department officers and paramedics to arrive at the incident site. This step can vary, depending on the type of situation you’re in. If the responsible party is the owner of a home, you can seek them out directly. If you’re injured in a restaurant chain, you’ll want to request the information of the owner of the chain.

   Under no circumstances should you leave the incident site without getting some type of information. If the responsible party becomes combative and doesn’t want to offer up their information, don’t argue with them. Arguing will only escalate the situation and may make them less likely to cooperate during your legal case. Instead, wait calmly until the police arrive and explain what happened to them. They can get the information on your behalf.

3. Collect the contact information of anyone nearby who witnessed the incident.During this time at the incident site, don’t apologize to anyone or admit fault. Doing so will only potentially harm your future case, as the other party may use it against you.
   • Take photos and videos of the site of the incident and the hazard that caused your injuries.This can include a violent dog, potholes, broken hand railing, a fallen object, a hazardous spill on the ground with no wet floor sign, and more. This evidence can be pivotal in your case, showing the severity of the incident to the court.
   • Take photos and videos of your visible injuries.
   • Take photos and videos of damage to your personal belongings.

   This could include your cell phone, bag, glasses, or clothing.

4. Hire a premises liability lawyer from Buckley Wynne & Parese to represent your case and explain the next steps.

Compensation You May Pursue in Your Premises Liability Case

The amount of compensation that can be awarded to a victim of a premises liability incident depends on the economic and non-economic losses they’ve suffered because of the incident. Economic damages provide compensation for the full extent of their medical bills, including:

• Medications
• Surgeries
• Healthcare visits
• Medical supplies and devices
• Physical therapy
• Mental health counseling
• In-home care

It can also help them recover compensation for any income they’ve lost because of their recovery process, as well as the damages to their personal items. This is why it’s vital to take photos and videos at the time of the incident, to help the courts understand what you’ve lost financially.

Non-economic damages help victims recover compensation for their non-financial losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

To prove your non-economic losses, you’ll need to provide as much evidence to the court as possible. This can include a doctor’s note from a therapist about your mental state, testimony from your loved ones about how the incident has impacted you, or a journal over the course of your recovery that details how you’ve been feeling. Copies of your medical records can provide further clarity about your losses.

FAQs

Q: How Long Do I Have to File My Premises Liability Claim in Stamford?

A: In Connecticut, victims of premises liability incidents generally have two years to file their case. This clock starts either from the date of the incident or from the date you first realized you were injured, whichever is later. This can be done at the Stamford Superior Court, located at 123 Hoyt Street. However, regardless, personal injury cases have a final three-year deadline for filing, even if you discover your injury four years after the initial incident.

Q: What Four Things Do You Need to Prove Negligence in a Property Incident Case?

A: The four things you need to prove negligence in a property incident case start with proving that the property owner had a legal duty to responsibly care for their property. You’ll then need to prove that they failed in that duty, and that failure directly caused your injuries. It’s not enough to speculate; you’ll need solid proof of this. Finally, you’ll need to prove that your injuries led to financial and/or emotional losses.

Q: What Are the Premises Liability Laws Regarding Trespassers in Connecticut?

A: In Connecticut, premises liability laws regarding trespassers state that property owners owe very little duty of care, as they don’t expect trespassers to be on the premises. However, property owners cannot intentionally harm trespassers. If the owner discovers the trespasser, they must then maintain their duty of care to keep them safe. They don’t have a duty to fix dangers or warn trespassers about dangers. If the owner knows that children are likely to trespass, they must fix any dangers.

Q: Is a Connecticut Property Owner Responsible for Criminal Acts Committed by Third Parties?

A: A Connecticut property owner may be responsible for criminal acts committed by third parties, especially if the owner failed to uphold security measures. For example, if the owner of a parking garage knows about mugging incidents in the area, they should install working security cameras as a prevention measure. If they fail to do so, and a third-party criminal injures a driver in the parking garage, the victim may be able to open a claim against the owner.

Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer to Take on Your Case

Buckley Wynne & Parese is here to help you navigate the complexities of Connecticut law. We see clients at one of our three office locations in New Haven, Hartford, and Stamford, but take on clients throughout all of Connecticut. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our skilled attorneys.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we don’t require payment for our legal services unless we secure a settlement for your case. We value transparency and will make pricing expectations clear from the beginning of your case.

Available 24/71-800-445-2278

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