Drafahl Law Firm provides legal help to those injured while visiting someone’s property. If you were a guest at someone’s home or business or were on someone’s land and suffered injuries (from simple bruises to serious brain injuries), you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation against the property owner or occupier.
You’ll need to understand your rights and make sure you put together a strong claim if you want to pursue a claim to be “made whole” or fully paid for all damages after getting hurt on someone’s property. The St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Drafahl Law Firm know the law inside and out and will offer the advocacy you deserve.
To find out more about how we can help you prove your case, resolve your claim, and get the money you need to move forward, give us a call today at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Let Drafahl Law Firm Handle Your Premises Liability Claim
Premises liability claims can be complicated, as you must demonstrate your status on the property, the obligations the owner had, and the cause of your damages. You need an attorney who is ready to build a solid case and make the owner’s home insurer or liability insurer pay you a fair amount.
Drafahl Law Firm is the firm to turn to for help with these complex claims. Here are just some of the many reasons why you should place your trust in our legal team:
- We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum because we’ve helped victims injured on properties to recover large damage awards.
- Our attorneys have been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, among other accolades
- Past clients have described us as “fearless in court and adamant about providing the best outcome for clients,” and have explained that insurance companies have resolved claims fairly after realizing we won’t back down.
We treat your case with compassion and keep you informed throughout the proceedings as we fight for justice for you.
Meet St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer Nolan Drafahl
Nolan Drafahl is a founding attorney and partner at Drafahl Law Firm, alongside his wife Julia. He has secured countless settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of injury victims in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and across the states of Missouri and Illinois. When you choose Nolan as your premises liability lawyer in St. Louis, you can trust that he will work tirelessly to secure justice on your behalf.
In addition to his years of trial experience, Nolan is heavily involved in the St. Louis community. He volunteers his time as a volunteer on Fox 2 News’ Call-A-Lawyer program and sits on the Young Professionals Board of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. Contact the Drafahl Law Firm online or call today to schedule a free case consultation with Nolan or another member of our skilled legal team.
Awards & Memberships
How Does a St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer Help You?
Your ability to recover compensation in a premises liability claim depends on showing the property owner or occupier was negligent.
The definition of negligence depends on why you were on the property. As Carter v. Kinney, 896 S.W.2d 926, 928 (Mo. 1995) explains, “historically, premises liability cases recognize three broad classes of plaintiffs: trespassers, licensees, and invitees.”
At Drafahl Law Firm, we can help you understand these classifications, and develop the right legal strategy based on why you were at the property. Some of the different ways that we can assist you include:
- Working with you to gather evidence to prove your claim
- Helping you to identify all potential defendants, including property owners or occupiers and others responsible for your harm
- Assisting you in negotiating an out-of-court settlement to resolve your claim quickly and without the uncertainty of a civil trial
- Fighting for you in court when litigation is necessary to get the compensation you deserve.
With decades of collective experience handling cases involving slip and falls, negligent security, swimming pool accidents, dog attacks, elevator accidents, and many other types of premises liability cases, our firm is the right one to turn to after an on-property injury.
If you fell or tripped on someone’s property and were injured as a result, contact a slip and fall lawyer in St. Louis to pursue financial compensation.
“The Drafahl Law firm is a great injury firm. They are dedicated to their clients and fight hard for nothing less than a full recovery.”
– Christopher D.
What Premises Liability Cases Do We Handle?
Premises liability covers a wide range of situations where someone is injured because of an unsafe condition on someone else’s property. Our firm has extensive experience handling a variety of these cases, including:
Slip and Fall Accidents
We represent clients who have slipped or tripped on wet floors, icy walkways, uneven pavement, or loose carpeting, for example. These incidents often occur in stores, restaurants, parking lots, or apartment complexes when the property owner fails to maintain safe conditions.
Trip and Fall Hazards
Cases involving hazards like broken stairs, poor lighting, exposed wiring, or cluttered walkways are common. Property owners are responsible for repairing or warning about unsafe areas to help prevent injuries.
Negligent Security
When a property owner fails to provide proper safety measures, such as sufficient lighting in parking lots, trained security staff, or functioning surveillance cameras, it can make people in the area more vulnerable to becoming victims of assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes. If you are injured due to this lack of security, we can help you pursue a premises liability claim to hold the owner accountable
Dog Bites or Animal Attacks
We handle cases where someone is bitten or attacked, whether the incident occurs in a home or public place. Dog bite lawsuits in St. Louis are governed by strict liability, which means that the dog owner is automatically responsible if their dog injures someone, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog might be dangerous or if the dog had ever acted aggressively before.
273.036. Owner liable, when — fine, amount. — 1. The owner or possessor of any dog that bites, without provocation, any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is strictly liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s or possessor’s knowledge of such viciousness.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Lack of fencing, zoning issues, inadequate supervision, or failure to post warning signs around swimming pools can result in severe injuries or drownings. We help families hold property owners accountable for these oversights.
Falling Objects
Injuries caused by falling merchandise, construction debris, or loose fixtures can be severe, especially in stores or worksites. Property owners must properly secure items to prevent such accidents.
If you believe you were hurt due to unsafe property conditions, our firm is prepared to help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold negligent property owners accountable for your injuries.
Injured? Call Our St. Louis Premises Liability Lawyer
Who Is Liable For My Accident?
Determining who is responsible for your accident is a vital part of any premises liability case. Liability often depends on where your injury occurred and what circumstances led to your accident. Here are some of the parties who may hold legal responsibility:
Property Owners
If the accident happened because a property owner failed to keep their premises safe by not repairing hazards, cleaning spills, or maintaining walkways, they could be held liable for resulting injuries.
Business Tenants or Managers
In some cases, a business tenant leasing or operating on the property may be responsible for keeping the leased area safe. For example, a supermarket may be liable for a customer slip and fall in one of its aisles due to neglected spills.
Maintenance Companies or Contractors
Those hired to care for the property, such as janitorial or maintenance firms, can be liable if their failure to repair or clean up hazards leads to someone’s injury.
Security Companies
If a third-party security company was contracted to keep the premises safe, and their negligence contributed to the accident (such as failing to prevent an assault), they may also be responsible.
Product or Equipment Manufacturers
If faulty or defective equipment somehow played a direct role in your accident, manufacturers might be partly liable for your injuries.
Victim Partially at Fault
You as the victim might also hold some responsibility. If you weren’t paying attention or ignored warning signs, you could be found partially liable, but this doesn’t stop you from recovering compensation. In Missouri, pure comparative negligence governs, which means your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Compensation Can I Receive For Damages In A St. Louis Premises Liability Case?
If you were injured on someone else’s property in St. Louis, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation for the damages you suffered. This could include some or all of the following:
Economic Damages
These cover your actual out-of-pocket costs and measurable financial losses related to your injury, such as:
- Medical bills for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, or physical therapy
- Future medical expenses for ongoing care or rehabilitation needs
- Lost wages if you had to miss work while recovering
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injury limits your ability to work at the same level as before
- Property damage, such as personal belongings damaged in the accident
- Other documented expenses related to your injury, like transportation to doctor’s visits
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address more subjective harms that aren’t as easily measured but still have a serious impact on your quality of life. They can include:
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or trauma from the incident
- Loss of enjoyment of life if you’re unable to take part in activities you used to enjoy
- Loss of companionship, care, or support if your relationships are affected by your injuries
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages aren’t awarded in every case. They’re reserved for situations where the property owner (or other liable party) intentionally harmed you without just cause or acted with deliberate and flagrant disregard for your safety.
510.261. Punitive damages, restrictions on award of — proper award, when — civil actions, initial pleading not to contain claim for punitive damage award. — 1. Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages shall not be awarded unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.
The purpose of punitive damages is to punish especially reckless or wrongful conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
Understanding the different types of compensation available can help you seek recovery for all the ways your injury has affected your life.
Get in Touch
Give us a call today at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our legal team and learn why Drafahl Law Firm is the firm you can trust.