If you suffered an injury on someone else's property, you need a skilled New Jersey premises liability lawyer.
At Shebell & Shebell, LLC, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that premises liability accidents can take, not just on you but your family, too. Our experienced New Jersey premises liability attorneys are here to fight for you and secure all of the compensation you deserve.
What You Should Know About Premises Liability Law
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property due to negligence. This area of law covers many incidents, from slip and fall accidents to dog bites and inadequate security.
New Jersey property owners must maintain safe conditions for lawful visitors. These responsibilities include regular inspections, prompt repairs of hazards, and warning visitors about potential dangers. When they fail in these responsibilities and someone gets hurt, you can hold the property owner liable for the injuries and damages.
Premises liability cases often involve gathering extensive evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and sometimes going to trial. That's why a knowledgeable New Jersey personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and interests.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Premises liability cases can encompass a range of accidents. At Shebell & Shebell, our attorneys can take on almost any kind of premises liability case, including:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: These occur when hazardous conditions such as wet floors, icy sidewalks, or uneven surfaces, cause someone to slip or trip and fall.
- Dog Bites: New Jersey law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their pets cause, regardless of the animal's prior behavior.
- Negligent Security: Property owners may be liable if inadequate security measures lead to assaults or other crimes on their premises.
- Hazards or Defects on Property: These cases include falling objects, structural defects, or poorly maintained facilities.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Owners of private and public pools must ensure proper safety measures to prevent drownings and other accidents.
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained elevators and escalators can cause serious injuries and death.
- Amusement Park Accidents: Park owners must ensure rides and attractions are safe for visitors.
- Toxic Exposure: Property owners may be liable for injuries caused by exposure to harmful substances like lead paint or asbestos.
- Fire Safety Violations: Inadequate fire prevention measures or blocked fire exits can lead to premises liability claims.
- Parking Lot Accidents: This includes injuries from poor lighting, uneven surfaces, inadequate security, or improper snow and ice removal in parking areas.
- Retail Store Accidents: This includes injuries from falling merchandise, unstable displays, or other hazards in stores.
- Workplace Accidents: These involve injuries sustained due to unsafe conditions or negligence in the workplace, beyond typical workers' compensation claims.
Negligence Plays a Role in New Jersey Premises Liability Cases
To establish a premises liability case, we must prove negligence.
Accomplishing this involves establishing four key elements:
- Duty of Care: We show that the property owner had a legal obligation to ensure your safety as a visitor or resident.
- Breach of Duty: We demonstrate that the owner failed to meet this obligation through action or inaction.
- Causation: We prove that this failure directly led to your injury.
- Damages: We document the physical, emotional, and financial harm you suffered.
Regarding trespassers, New Jersey law generally limits property owners' liability. However, exceptions exist, especially for child trespassers under the "attractive nuisance" doctrine. If you don’t know about your status on the property at the time of injury, consult a New Jersey premises liability lawyer for clarity on your rights.
What Damages Can I Claim in My Premises Liability Case?
In a premises liability case, you may claim both economic and non-economic damages, depending on your injuries and how they have affected you:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages or income
- Lost or diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability or disfigurement
In cases involving particularly reckless or malicious conduct, the court may award punitive damages above the actual damages.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for My New Jersey Premises Liability Claim?
Each premises liability case differs, and compensation varies based on:
- Severity of injuries
- Long-term impact on your life
- Medical expenses and future care needs
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Comparative negligence (your potential role in the accident)
- Property owner's degree of negligence
- Insurance policy limits
Our New Jersey premises liability lawyers will carefully evaluate your case to determine a fair amount of compensation for all of your damages.
What Should I Do if An Insurance Company Calls Me?
If an insurance company contacts you after a premises liability accident, politely decline to give a statement and refer them to your lawyer. Here's why:
Insurance adjusters frequently try to minimize payouts by getting accident victims to accept quick, lowball offers.
They may use tactics like:
- Pressuring you to settle quickly
- Asking leading questions to shift the blame
- Downplaying your injuries
- Misrepresenting your rights
By hiring a New Jersey premises liability lawyer to handle the insurance companies, you won’t risk settling for far less than you deserve. We will protect your rights and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Shebell & Shebell for Your Premises Liability Case?
Finding the right lawyer can make all the difference in your premises liability case.
Here's why Shebell & Shebell stands out:
- Extensive experience in New Jersey premises liability law
- Proven record of successful settlements and verdicts
- Dedicated trial lawyers prepared who will take your case to court if necessary
- Personalized attention to every client
- Strong reputation that carries weight with insurance companies
- Comprehensive understanding of insurance company tactics
- Commitment to maximizing your compensation
- No fee unless we win your case
Insurance companies recognize that we are trial lawyers, so they may offer higher settlements on the front end and avoid a trial. They know we mean business and will take them to court if they refuse to settle fairly.
Contact a New Jersey Premises Liability Lawyer with Shebell & Shebell
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a property owner's negligence, you don't have to face this challenging time alone. The experienced New Jersey premises liability lawyers at Shebell & Shebell back your case with the experience, skill, and muscle it needs to get you the best possible results.
We understand the pain and stress you're going through. It’s difficult and it’s unfair. Let us turn the tables so you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (732) 663-1122 to request a consultation with one of our New Jersey premises liability lawyers. It’s free of cost to you and comes without obligation.
Shebell & Shebell, LLC - Shrewsbury Office
Address: 600 Broad St Suite 100
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
Phone: 732-663-1122