Minnesota Premises Liability Lawyers

Minnesota has many remarkable properties, from high-rise buildings in the cities to private residences and public parks. However, these incredible places sometimes have hidden dangers that could seriously injure someone. Property owners and managers must protect their guests from hazardous features that can cause injury. This rule is known as premises liability. 

If a property owner or manager fails to protect you from known hazards and you suffer injuries as a result, an experienced Minnesota premises liability lawyer from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

Why Choose Us for Your Minnesota Premises Liability Case?

When you're facing the challenges of a premises liability case, you need a law firm that not only understands the complexities of the law but also truly cares about your well-being. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team is committed to taking the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery. With our deep roots in the Midwest, we are more than just your legal representatives—we are your neighbors and advocates, dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Choosing Nicolet Law means partnering with a firm with a proven track record of success and a relentless commitment to winning for our clients. We don’t back down when things get tough; in fact, it drives us to fight even harder. Our “no win, no fee” policy ensures you won’t pay a dime in legal fees unless we secure the compensation you deserve. 

With over 20 offices throughout Minnesota and the surrounding areas, we offer the local knowledge and accessibility you need during this difficult time. When it comes to your Minnesota premises liability case, trust Nicolet Law to be there for you every step of the way.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility that property owners and occupiers have to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. If someone is injured on their property due to unsafe conditions, such as slippery floors, inadequate lighting, or unmarked hazards, the property owner may be held liable for those injuries. 

Premises liability law covers a wide range of accidents, including:

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are common in Minnesota. Visitors may trip or slip on:

• Liquid or debris on flooring
• Cluttered walkways
• Patches of ice
• Acorns, rocks, or other objects on the ground
• Potholes in parking lots
• Torn flooring or cracks in sidewalks
• Poor lighting, particularly in stairwells
• Damaged or defective staircases or handrails

Slip and fall accidents account for over one million visits to U.S. emergency rooms each year, with adults over 65 and young children most commonly injured in these accidents. Victims may sustain hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or soft tissue damage.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pools—including public pools, private residential pools, hotel and resort pools, and those in gyms or recreational centers—are also common accident sites. Property owners or possessors must post warning signs or ensure that their guests have proper supervision when swimming. 

Additionally, they must check to ensure that filters, drains, and even the pool’s lighting and heating systems function correctly to avoid injuries caused by entanglement or electrocution. They must properly enclose and cover their pools to protect children from entering the pool while unsupervised.

Attractive Nuisances

An attractive nuisance is a legal doctrine that holds property owners responsible for injuries to children lured onto their property by a hazardous object or condition likely to attract their curiosity. Common examples include swimming pools, trampolines, or abandoned machinery. 

Even if the child was trespassing, the property owner may still be liable if they failed to take reasonable steps to secure or remove the danger, knowing it could attract children and pose a risk.

Amusement Park Accidents

Minnesota is home to several amusement parks across the state, from Valleyfair to the Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe. Amusement park accidents are more common than people think, with around 30,000 people sustaining injuries on amusement park rides each year. Owners and operators of amusement parks must regularly inspect, maintain, and repair the rides to be as safe as possible for guests. When they fail to do so, and someone gets hurt, the injured party may have grounds for a premises liability claim. 

Dog Bites

Although dog bites often happen at public parks, they are still a premises liability issue since the dog’s owner must properly secure their dog to prevent it from injuring others. When a dog bites someone, the victim can usually seek compensation from the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

In Minnesota, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries that their animal causes to others, even if they have no previous knowledge that the animal was capable of being aggressive, as long as:

• The individual who the dog injured was lawfully on the premises.
• The person acted peacefully and did not take action to provoke the dog.

Fires or Flooding

If a fire or flooding injures someone and the property owner knew before the accident that it might occur and took no action to mitigate the risk, you may hold the property owner liable.

Examples include:

• Fires caused by faulty wiring leading
• Poorly maintained appliances
• Storing flammable materials on the property
• Failing to install smoke detectors or fire extinguishers

Additionally, landlords can be liable for injuries or deaths if they fail to provide exits that allow people to evacuate a building if a fire or flood occurs.

Negligent Security

Property owners and possessors must also keep their guests safe from known criminal activity.

Standard safety measures that property owners can use to secure their premises include:

• Burglar alarms on doors and windows
• Locks
• Security cameras around the premises
• Security personnel who patrol commercial buildings or parking lots

When negligent security leads to an injury, the criminal who caused the injury can be held responsible. However, few people realize that the property owner or manager may also be liable if they knew or had reason to know that criminal activity could occur in the area. 

To prove a negligent security claim, your lawyer will use evidence such as the number of times the police have visited the property, reports of other violent crimes on the property, and crime reports from similar areas.

Understanding the Different Types of Property Visitors

The legal responsibilities of a property owner vary depending on the type of visitor. Not all visitors are treated the same under the law. These distinctions are crucial in premises liability cases for both property owners and those who may be injured on someone else’s property. 

The law categorizes visitors into three main groups: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Each group is owed a different level of care by the property owner, which can significantly impact the outcome of a premises liability case. Here's a closer look at each type of visitor and the duties property owners owe to them. 

Invitees

These are individuals who are invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store or clients in an office. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, meaning they must keep the premises safe and regularly inspect for and repair any hazards.

Licensees

Licensees are people who enter the property for non-business reasons with the owner’s permission, such as social guests. While the duty of care is slightly lower than for invitees, property owners must still warn licensees of any known dangers that are not obvious.

Trespassers

Trespassers are individuals who enter the property without permission. Property owners generally owe them the least duty of care, typically only needing to avoid willful or wanton harm. However, there are exceptions, such as the attractive nuisance doctrine, which can increase the owner's responsibility, particularly when it comes to child trespassers.

Compensation Available in a Minnesota Premises Liability Claim

If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property in Minnesota, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A premises liability claim can help you recover various types of damages, depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case.

• Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for past and future medical bills related to the injury, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
• Lost Wages: If your injury has caused you to miss work, you may be able to recover the income you’ve lost during your recovery period. This can also include compensation for a reduction in your future earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or impacts your ability to work at the same level.
• Pain and Suffering: Beyond financial losses, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury. This can include anxiety, depression, and a reduced quality of life.
• Property Damage: If any of your personal property, such as a phone, clothing, or vehicle, was damaged in the accident, you may be compensated for the cost of repair or replacement.
• Other Expenses: Depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be eligible for compensation for other costs related to your injury, such as transportation to medical appointments or the need for home modifications to accommodate a disability.

At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand the full scope of the impact a serious injury can have on your life. We’re here to help you pursue the maximum compensation available under Minnesota law so you can focus on your recovery.

Proving Liability in a Premises Liability Claim

To have a successful premises liability claim in Minnesota, we must be able to show who was legally responsible for the property condition that caused your injury. Liability generally resides with the individual or entity who owned or controlled the property when the accident occurred.

Some examples include:

• A homeowner or renter
• A commercial business owner
• A governmental agency tasked with maintaining and managing a property
• An individual or entity with temporary control of a premises, such as a cleaning company who failed to warn business customers of wet or freshly waxed floors

To prove a premises liability claim, we must be able to show:

• The defendant was legally bound to the property through ownership, a lease, or an operating agreement.
• The defendant knew or had reason to know that a hazardous feature existed on the property and failed to take steps to mitigate the hazard.
• The property hazard injured you, causing expenses and losses.

Evidence that your lawyer can use to prove premises liability includes:

• Photos of the hazard
• An official report of the incident
• Previous reports of injuries resulting from the same hazard
• Eyewitness testimony

Gathering evidence is crucial in proving these elements. This can include photographs of the hazard, witness statements, medical records, and expert testimony. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our experienced team knows how to effectively build a strong case by meticulously gathering and presenting the necessary evidence to prove liability. We’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Contact the Minnesota Premises Liability Lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Today

Navigating the complexities of a premises liability claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you’re facing and are here to help you every step of the way. Our Minnesota personal injury attorney team has the experience and dedication to hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

Here’s how a lawyer can assist you with your claim:

• Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation to gather evidence, identify liable parties, and build a strong case on your behalf.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: We will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, ensuring they don’t pressure you into accepting a low settlement.
• Skilled Legal Guidance: We will provide clear, straightforward advice on your legal options and the best course of action for your case.
• Maximizing Compensation: Our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Don’t navigate this difficult time alone. If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (612) 688-4459 or through our online form for a free consultation. Let us take on the burden so you can focus on healing.