Premises Liability Attorney in Alexandria, Va.

Man injured from slip and fall from the staircase.

From dog bites and sidewalk falls to structural collapses and electric shocks, premises liability accidents frequently cause devastating injuries in Alexandria. Virginia law says property owners have a legal duty to keep visitors safe, but visitors pay the price when property owners fail in their obligations.

You should not have to pay for your injuries if you didn’t cause them. The Alexandria premises liability attorneys at Marks & Harrison are ready to help you hold a negligent or careless property owner accountable for hurting you.

With more than a century of experience handling personal injury cases, the team at Marks & Harrison knows what it takes to win these cases. Our Alexandria, VA, premises liability lawyers have recovered millions in compensation for people with severe injuries. We are prepared to use every tool we have as we fight for you. We’re here to make your life easier after an accident and take care of all the legal work in your case.

Call us today or visit our contact page for a free consultation.

What Is a Premises Liability Claim?

A premises liability claim is a personal injury case against a negligent or careless property owner, occupant, manager, or another party responsible for the property. When you file a premises liability claim, you argue that the property owner or other liable party failed in their legal obligation to keep you safe. Because the property owner or their agent acted negligently, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. It’s up to your premises liability attorney to make the best case they can and help you recover as much compensation as possible.

What Are Different Types of Premises Liability Cases in Alexandria?

Common types of premises liability cases in Alexandria include:

  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Sidewalk accidents
  • Stairwell accidents
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Accidents at sports venues, theme parks, or amusement parks
  • Dog bites
  • Accidents in parking lots and garages
  • Ceiling collapses
  • Structural collapses
  • Elevator and escalator accidents
  • Accidents in restaurants, grocery stores, or other businesses
  • Injuries caused by poor lighting
  • Injuries caused by inadequate security at a residence or business
  • Electric shocks
  • Injuries from falling or flying objects

What Are Common Injuries that Result from a Premises Liability Accident?

Premises liability accidents in Alexandria often lead to horrific injuries, including:

  • Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • External head injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Internal bleeding
  • Injuries to internal organs
  • Electrical burns
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Puncture wounds and lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Emotional distress, including anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How Is Liability Proven in a Premises Liability Case?

Winning a premises liability case means proving that a property owner or manager failed to keep their premises safe, which led to your injuries. However, the level of care a property owner owes a visitor depends on why the visitor is on the property. Contact an Alexandria premises liability lawyer today.

Virginia law classifies premises liability plaintiffs in three ways:

  • Invitees – An invitee is someone the property owner has explicitly invited onto the premises primarily for the benefit of the property owner. Customers at a restaurant or store are invitees, for example. Virginia law says property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. The property owner must not only fix any hazards on the property and warn invitees about such threats but they must also regularly check the premises for potential dangers. This means that the property owner may be liable for dangers of which s/he should have known even if s/he did not actually know of the danger.
  • Licensees – A licensee is someone on another’s property with the owner’s permission but primarily for the benefit of the entrant. A social guest at someone’s home is a prime example. Property owners must warn licensees of known hazards on the property or fix the threat. Licensees generally cannot recover compensation from accidents caused by hazards the property owner did not know about, but there are some exceptions.
  • Trespassers – Anyone on someone else’s property without permission is a trespasser under Virginia law. State law says that a property owner owes no duty to a trespasser for their injuries except in rare circumstances.

A premises liability attorney will use various evidence to show that a property owner or manager failed to uphold their duty to you and that such failure caused your injuries.

Some of the evidence your premises liability lawyer might use to support your case includes the following:

  • Accident reports
  • Property records
  • Photographs and videos
  • Medical records
  • Expert testimony
  • Witness testimony

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for a Premises Liability Lawsuit?

Your compensation in a premises liability case depends on several factors, such as:

  • The severity and duration of your injuries
  • How your injuries affect your ability to earn a living, take care of yourself, and enjoy your favorite activities
  • How your injuries have affected you emotionally
  • The effectiveness of your attorney
  • The evidence your attorney can gather to support your case
  • Available insurance coverage

Because these factors vary widely from case to case, it’s hard to estimate how much compensation you could pursue.

However, your compensation in a premises liability case may include money for:

  • Medical expenses related to the accident
  • Lost income
  • Reduced future earnings due to an injury or disability
  • Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability
  • Physical pain
  • Emotional distress
  • Damaged personal property

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Virginia?

According to the Code of Virginia, you must file a premises liability lawsuit within two years of when you sustained your injuries. If you miss the deadline, the courts will likely dismiss your case, leaving you no way to recover compensation in civil court. Talk to our Alexandria premises liability attorneys as soon as possible to avoid issues with the statute of limitations.

Contact Our Alexandria Premises Liability Lawyer Today

The Alexandria premises liability attorneys at Marks & Harrison know how important it is to hold negligent and careless property owners accountable. If you sustained injuries on someone else’s property in Arlington, we’re ready to protect your rights and help you fight for fair compensation.

Call our premises liability law office today or visit our contact page for a free case review.

Here are a few organizations and resources that may be able to assist premises liability victims:

  1. Alexandria Police Department: The Alexandria Police Department can provide information on premises liability, accident reporting, and local resources for victims. You can visit their website or contact them directly for assistance: https://www.alexandriava.gov/Police
  2. City of Alexandria Department of Code Administration: The Department of Code Administration in Alexandria may have information on building code violations, property maintenance standards, and resources for premises liability accidents. You can find more information on their website: https://www.alexandriava.gov/code