Boston Premises Liability Lawyer

Understanding Premises Liability in Boston

Property owners have an enormous responsibility to maintain their premises in such a way that those who visit or live on the property are not unnecessarily put at risk of suffering serious injuries. However, it is all too common for property owners to allow unsafe conditions to exist on their premises. In these situations, visitors or tenants may suffer serious injuries, from spinal and brain injuries to amputations to permanent disabilities. And, in the most tragic of circumstances, a person may be the victim of a wrongful death as a result of unsafe premises.

If you were injured on someone else's property, you may have the right to pursue a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner. At Crowe & Harris, LLP, our experienced team helps victims hold property owners accountable under Massachusetts premises liability law and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care needs.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident caused by unsafe premises, call (617) 404-3417 or contact our Boston premises liability attorneys today to discuss your case.

Common Types of Premises Liability Claims

There are a number of different ways in which individuals may be put in danger of suffering a serious injury by unsafe premises, resulting in a premises liability claim. Some of the most common reasons people seek legal help for premises liability claims include the following:

Dog Bites

On one hand, dogs are seen as man's best friend and our constant companion. Other experiences reveal that dogs can cause great harm to humans. Sometimes, dog bites cause serious injuries leading to lasting physical and emotional damage to victims. While these incidents sometimes occur because dogs are afraid or provoked, they are often the result of inattentive or negligent owners.

There are many serious injuries that may result from dog bites, ranging in nature from minor to severe. Some of these injuries might include:

• Lacerations
• Contusions
• Infections
• Rabies
• Emotional damage
• Broken bones
• Death

These are all extremely serious injuries and may be the result of a dog owner failing to control their animal. In the wake of a dog bite accident, it is important to discuss your legal options with a Massachusetts dog bite attorney.

Slip & Fall

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of injuries on unsafe property. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and unmaintained walkways can all lead to serious harm.

If you’ve been hurt in a fall, explore your legal options on our slip and fall accidents page.

Elevator & Escalator Injuries

In most buildings with multiple levels, an elevator, escalator, or both will be accessible to the public. While these machines are extremely convenient in most cases, great injury can result if they are defective in any way. Many times, their defects are the result of a property owner's negligence or failure to maintain the equipment. This implicates the property owner in your injury if you suffer from an accident on an elevator or escalator.

There are many possible causes of elevator and escalator accidents that lead to injuries in Massachusetts; after all, these are complex machines. However, some of the catalysts for mechanical defects stem from a property owner's negligence and might include:

• Failure to inspect equipment
• Failure to replace/repair damaged equipment
• Overcrowding
• Use of old/outdated equipment

The elevator and escalator injury attorneys of Crowe & Harris, LLP, represent victims like you in the pursuit of financial compensation from the parties responsible.

Porch Collapse

A porch collapse is a sudden accident that can quickly result in the serious injury of many people, as collapses are not often caused by one person. Porch collapse in Massachusetts is considered a type of premises liability issue, which means that a property may be found inherently unsafe and become implicated in a person's injury. If your injury was caused by a collapsing porch, the property owner might owe you financial compensation to cover any costs you've incurred as a result of the accident.

Porch collapses can be caused by a number of factors. For instance, the following may have played a part:

• Old/worn structure
• Overcrowding
• Failure to inspect equipment
• Failure to repair/replace equipment
• Violation of safety codes/building codes

Any of these circumstances might mean that a porch is more likely to collapse and, therefore, more likely to injure innocent people.

Stair Collapse

In many cases, a property owner might fail to repair a worn staircase or stairway, or it may have been built below standards in the first place. Either way, visitors have the right to safety when they are on another person's property. There are many ways that stairs can become unsafe and collapse. For example, consider the following common causes:

• Not being built to safety code
• Overcrowding on stairs
• Not structurally sound
• Having worn or broken components

These factors can make stair collapse much more likely, and innocent victims like you may have to face injuries as well as costs for medical treatment and recovery. Our stair collapse attorneys can help you hold the responsible party accountable.

Fires

After being involved in a fire on someone else's property, you might not initially think about your legal options. However, if the property owner was negligent and directly or indirectly caused the fire, they may owe victims financial compensation for their injuries and expenses. Property owner negligence can make fires much more likely. In many cases, fire-related injuries happen because of one or more instances of negligence:

• Failure to have sprinklers/fire extinguishers
• Failure to build to code
• Failure to provide safe exit routes
• Malfunctioning electric hardware

In any of these or other cases, fires can start and spread, leading to serious injuries among innocent people.

Lead Paint Poisoning

Although lead paint is not used in most new buildings, it was once used frequently. Lead paint poses certain health risks if it is ingested, making children particularly susceptible to its dangers. Many children in Massachusetts are unknowingly exposed to lead paint and might even suffer terrible side effects if they swallow it. Parents have a right to know about lead dangers, but many property owners fail to notify them about these unsafe premises.

Lead paint poisoning can have numerous disastrous side effects. For example, some of the consequences of poisoning might include:

• Kidney damage
• Hearing difficulties
• Behavioral complications
• Reduced intelligence
• Reduced/slowed body development

These effects can drastically affect the well-being of anyone, especially a growing child.

Mercury Poisoning

Mercury is a natural substance that cannot be created by people, but people can and do mismanage this dangerous substance regularly. Without proper disposal of products that contain mercury, such as many waste products, mercury's dangers can be an imminent threat to innocent people. Unfortunately, many Massachusetts residents cope with the effects of mercury exposure and mercury poisoning resulting from unsafe premises.

Mercury poisoning poses many health threats to Massachusetts residents. Although not everyone will experience every symptom of mercury poisoning, some common side effects include:

• Vision impairments
• Lost coordination
• Speech/communication complications
• Hearing complications
• Loss of feeling

All of these side effects can complicate a person’s day-to-day activities and can result in lasting health effects. No one deserves to be the innocent victim of mercury poisoning, and an experienced Boston premises liability lawyer can help you best understand what your options are.

Swimming Pool Injuries

While swimming is a fun way to spend a hot day, swimming pools can also be home to dangerous situations. Swimming pool owners and operators have an obligation to keep their premises safe. Click here for more information about swimming pool injuries.

When a person is injured in such accidents, they may not only be affected by severe physical complications but also emotional and financial ones, making it critical to get compensation from the property owner responsible for the unsafe premises.

How Our Boston Premises Liability Team Helps You

Once you decide to pursue a claim, you may wonder what working with a Boston premises liability attorney actually looks like on a day-to-day basis. From the beginning, we focus on listening to your story, gathering the facts, and explaining how Massachusetts premises liability law applies to your situation. We then map out a plan so you understand the steps ahead, including investigation, negotiations with insurers, and preparation for possible litigation in courts such as the Suffolk County Superior Court in downtown Boston.

As your case moves forward, we collect and review medical records, incident reports, and any available surveillance footage, and we may consult with medical and safety professionals when needed. We also communicate with insurance companies on your behalf so you are not pressured into making statements or accepting offers that do not reflect the full impact of your injuries. Throughout this process, our goal is to reduce the stress you feel so that you can focus on getting treatment at facilities such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, or your chosen provider.

In many premises cases, important evidence can disappear quickly, especially when businesses repair dangerous conditions or overwrite video recordings. Our team acts promptly to send preservation letters, request key records, and, when appropriate, visit the scene to document conditions while they are still fresh. By taking these steps, a Boston premises liability lawyer can position your claim as strongly as possible for settlement discussions or, if necessary, a trial before a local jury.

Speak With an Unsafe Premises Attorney in Boston

If you have been injured because of unsafe premises in Boston, you are likely facing numerous challenges as a result. At Crowe & Harris, LLP, we are dedicated to helping victims of such accidents get the compensation they need and may be able to help you. Our team provides personalized, compassionate service while diligently investigating each claim, ensuring that your case receives the attention and dedication it deserves.

Call (617) 404-3417 to speak with our team of Boston premises liability attorneys who work tirelessly to help injury victims fight for justice in these difficult situations.