Premises Liability Laws in Austin

Have you sustained injuries on a commercial property due to a lack of clear lighting? Were you bit by an owner’s dog after being invited to their home? Did you suffer organ damage at an amusement park after park staff failed to properly inspect their rides? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be eligible to file a personal liability lawsuit in the city of Austin.

Determining your eligibility to file a premises liability lawsuit may require enlisting a qualified accident attorney to review your claim. If you are asking, how can I find a quality injury lawyer near me?, contact the premises liability attorneys at Carabin Shaw today to schedule your initial consultation. Before doing so, it may be helpful for accident victims to familiarize themselves with Austin premises liability laws.

In order to understand your rights after suffering an accident on a commercial property, it is important to understand the basics of premises liability laws in Austin. According to Texas’ Civil Practice and Remedies Code, business owners have the legal responsibility to upkeep reasonably safe facilities for visitors to the property. In cases where there is the potential for damage (for example, slippery walkways at a swimming pool or a rotten step in an old staircase), proprietors must warn visitors of these dangerous conditions. If a business owner is knowledgeable of dangerous conditions and fails to rectify the issue, they could be held financially liable for up to $500,000.

Premises liability law greatly depends on the status of the injured party. In other words, your eligibility to file a premises liability lawsuit depends on your status on the property where you were injured. In the state of Texas, there are three categories of person on a property. These categories are:

If you are an invitee on a property, that means that you have been “invited” to the property. All private businesses open to the public are implicitly “inviting” visitors and/or customers to their property. If you were an invitee on the property where you were injured, you stand the best chance of receiving compensation for your premises liability injury.

A licensee on a property would include anyone on the premises for a not explicitly commercial purpose (for example, a handyman, inspector, or outside solicitors). Essentially, licensees are those who are present on the property with the owner's consent but are not a customer of the business. Business owners do not have the same level of responsibility towards licensees as they do invitees; essentially, business owners only have the legal obligation to provide reasonably safe conditions or warn licensees of potentially dangerous situations.

A trespasser is a person present on a property without the explicit or implicit permission of the owner. If you were a trespasser on the property where you were injured, the property owner has no legal liability to ensure your safety. Therefore, you would not be eligible to file a premises liability lawsuit.

The team of accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw have earned the reputation as the toughest injury lawyers in Texas. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of accident victims— not negligent business owners or their insurance companies. As Carabin Shaw’s client reviews can attest, we have helped thousands of accident victims like you receive fair compensation for their injuries.

If you or a loved one have been injured on an Austin property, call our office today to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with an experienced Carabin Shaw injury lawyer. To reach our 24/7 English and Spanish-speaking staff, call toll-free at 800-862-1260. Our team of Austin premises liability attorneys would be honored to help you receive the justice you deserve.