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Getting seriously injured is the last thing you expect to happen when you visit family, friends, or your favorite local stores, but accidents can happen anywhere. Slip and fall accidents are probably the most well-known type of premises liability injuries, but they are far from the only kind.
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman regularly represents clients in Shelby County, Tennessee, and Desoto and Tate counties in Mississippi in premises liability lawsuits. Below is a round-up of seven of the most common property-based injuries beyond the typical slip and fall.
1. Falling Objects
Getting hit in the head or crushed by falling products, displays, or decorations that have been stacked, stored, installed or moved improperly can cause serious injuries. This is a concern in private homes, but it is an even bigger issue in businesses where the objects that may fall down are often much heavier.
2. Poor Maintenance
Properties that are not cared for correctly often cause accidents and injuries. Falls caused by stairways that are poorly lit, missing handrails, or have broken steps are common in Northern Mississippi. Poorly maintained electrical equipment can give visitors a shock.
3. Violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans With Disabilities Act is supposed to enable people to visit locations they would otherwise be unable to navigate. But far too often reasonable ADA accommodations are shoddily built, poorly maintained, or ignored. When disabled individuals, and others who attempt to use things like ADA walkways and entrances, are injured, the property owner should be held accountable.
4. Injuries at Daycares and Child Care Facilities
We trust that our children are safe when we drop them off at daycare, but too many childcare facilities are poorly maintained, not designed with kids in mind, or simply unsafe. These problems are compounded when staff is poorly trained and supervised.
5. Negligent Security Practices
When property owners fail to secure their property, and bad actors claim it as their own, guests are often put in danger. Visitors may be assaulted, or have their own property damaged or stolen if security is not taken seriously.
6. Animal Attacks
Many of us have pets we treat like members of our family. We like to believe they would never hurt anyone, but the reality is they are still animals. When animals attack, the owners must take responsibility and try to make things right.
7. Swimming Pool Injuries
Although they are not as big of an issue this time of year, swimming pool accidents and injuries are quite common in Northern Mississippi. The culprit is often improper maintenance, but injuries can also stem from improper signage or supervision, defective pool parts, and the risk that comes with being near the water.
Contact The Lawyers That Listen
Even if the property owner feels really bad about what happened, and the idea of doing so makes you uncomfortable, filing a premises liability lawsuit may be your best option if you have been seriously injured, and you can’t or don’t want to pay your medical bills out of pocket.
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman can help you navigate the claims process, and walk the delicate path that preserves your relationship with the property owner while getting you the money you need to move forward.
During our decades in practice, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in Shelby County, Tennessee, and Desoto and Tate counties in Mississippi. Please contact us today to schedule an initial meeting.
