Have you suffered an injury on someone else’s property in Columbia, Missouri? The property owner could owe you compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and even your pain & suffering. Call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at (314) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a Columbia premises liability lawyer.
However, holding the property owner accountable without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer is not always easy. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience handling complex injury claims. After your accident, do not wait to get help with your claim. Contact us today for help.
Why Choose Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers To Help Me After a Premises Liability Accident in Columbia?
After a premises liability accident, things may get confusing and overwhelming. The thought of filing a legal claim and going through that process may be too much for you to handle while you are still struggling to recover from your injuries. Thankfully, the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can handle every aspect of your legal claim.
Clients in Columbia, MO turn to us after devastating accidents because:
- Our attorneys have been recognized as members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- We have extensive experience in Missouri personal injury law
- We know what it takes to get results
The property owner’s insurance company will go to work right away, looking for ways to deny your claim. Get a strong advocate in your corner who knows how to handle their tactics and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free case evaluation with a Columbia premises liability attorney, and let us get started working for you.
What Is My Premises Liability Accident Case Worth?
The value of your premises liability case depends on several factors. The most influential factor is the severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries, the more money you will likely recover on your claim.
Many other factors can influence your claim’s value, such as:
- How long you were forced to miss work
- The cost of your medical bills
- Your average wages prior to and after the accident
- Your age and health before the accident
- Whether you will be left with permanent disabilities
- How your relationships have been affected
- Whether there is any insurance that covers your claim
It is important to remember that no two cases are exactly the same. Even when cases involve similar injuries, the effects of those injuries can be drastically different. This is why each case must be evaluated on its own. If you want to learn more about your case’s worth, call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims who suffer an injury due to a premises liability accident may sustain many types of losses. These losses can be financial in nature or intangible, such as physical and emotional pain. Accident victims are entitled to recover compensation for all of these losses.
Economic damages are those that compensate a victim for their financial losses.
These include monetary losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical therapy
- Home health care
Victims usually have no trouble proving the value of their economic damages. They often have plenty of evidence, like bills and receipts, to show the amount of these losses. However, non-economic damages can be a little tougher to evaluate.
These damages compensate victims for their physical and emotional trauma, and they include items such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of love and support
- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety
Putting a dollar figure on these losses is challenging, but an experienced lawyer can help you do so. Expert testimony may also be necessary to help prove the value of these losses. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you determine all the damages available as part of your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer?
Hiring a premises liability lawyer to help you might be more attainable than you realize. In fact, it will not require any upfront money to hire a lawyer for help. This is because premises liability lawyers usually work on contingency fees. This means the lawyer takes their fee as a portion of any money they recover for the client.
The total fee amount can vary, depending on the lawyer’s experience and whether or not your case settles. On average, fees in premises liability cases are usually about 35% of the total financial recovery.
In Missouri, contingency fee agreements must be in writing and signed by the client. The agreement should clearly outline how the fee will be calculated and address any other expenses that may be deducted from the client’s recovery.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Premises Liability Accident in Missouri?
Yes, you may still recover compensation even if you are being blamed for your accident. This is because Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, a victim can still recover compensation even if they are 99% at fault for their accident.
However, your recovery will be reduced by your portion of the fault. For instance, if you are found to be 40% at fault, you can only recover 60% of your damages.
A common tactic insurance companies use to reduce their financial liability is to try to blame the victim. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help defend you against these unfair tactics to ensure you get a full and fair recovery for your injuries.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Premises Liability Injuries
Premises liability accidents often result in serious and long-lasting injuries.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents are:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Hip injuries
- Shoulder and wrist injuries
- Wrongful death
No matter how minor or severe your injuries are, we will fight diligently to ensure that you obtain all the compensation you are owed. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and let us get to work.
What Causes Most Premises Liability Accidents in Columbia, Missouri?
Accidents happen daily across Columbia, but some situations make them more likely. When you are on someone else’s property, you expect it to be reasonably safe.
When the property owner fails to maintain things reasonably, accidents may occur, such as:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Swimming pool accidents
- Playground equipment accidents
- Negligent security
- Elevator accidents
Whatever the cause of your injuries, we will perform a full and thorough investigation into your accident. This will allow us to uncover all the details and determine who should be held accountable.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer?
Premises liability claims can get complex. The duty owed to you by the property owner depends on your legal status as a guest on the property. For instance, a property owner owes an invitee a much higher duty of care than is owed to a trespasser. Navigating these legal complexities without a lawyer might seem overwhelming.
This is why you should always seek help from an experienced premises liability lawyer, and they can help you through every step of the process, such as:
- Investigating your accident to uncover all the details
- Determining your status as a guest on the property
- Answering your questions and advising you of the law that applies in your case
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to prove your claim
- Handling all discussions with the property owner and their insurance company
- Evaluating all insurance coverage that may apply to your accident
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement for your claim
When negotiations stall, a lawyer can also file a lawsuit and represent you in court to stand up for your rights. Call the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about your legal options and let us put together a winning strategy for your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Premises Liability Accident in Missouri?
In Missouri, accident victims typically have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for their injuries. Missing this deadline means that you may be forever barred from recovering compensation.
Since this rule has a few exceptions, do not assume that you automatically know the law that applies to your case. Call us today to let us make sure you do not miss your chance to get compensated for your damages.
Contact Our Columbia Premises Liability Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt on someone else’s property in Columbia, MO, contact the experienced team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers today. We will go to work immediately to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia premises liability attorney and learn more.