Am I Liable if a Guest Is Injured in My Home?
When people dream of buying a home, they tend to think about customizing their home to suit their tastes. While renters need permission to have pets or alter their living spaces, property owners can choose to get a pet, paint the walls, or install a pool.
Although homeowners enjoy more freedom with their property, they also assume greater responsibility. They have to pay for repairs and may-be liable if someone’s injured on their property. Let’s look at homeowner liability for injuries on their property, what happens if an injured person files a lawsuit, and how property owners cover their legal expenses.
Are property owners liable for injuries occurring in their homes?
When a person’s injured on another person’s property, the injured party may file a lawsuit against the property owner. Suppose you haven’t taken steps to clear ice from your sidewalks after an ice storm. You could be sued if a delivery person slips and falls while attempting to drop off a package. The victim may argue your negligence caused their accident.
Property owners can limit their liability risks by maintaining their property and hiring experts to renovate their property. Bathrooms are dangerous rooms because it’s easy to slip on wet surfaces. Still, when you invest in bathroom remodeling Odessa, TX, you can reduce your risks by hiring bathroom installation experts with years of experience renovating bathrooms. You can help prevent bathroom accidents by hiring experts to convert your tub to a shower or installing grab bars. Grab bars give people something to hold while getting in and out of bathtubs or sitting down, reducing their chances of falling. Investing in bathroom upgrades can limit your liability risks if you demonstrate you’ve taken steps to ensure your bathroom’s accessible and has appropriate safety features.
What happens if an injured person files a lawsuit?
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are injured in bathrooms. People may also be injured in kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoor areas. Whether you have a guest visiting for an hour or a week, there’s always a risk your guest will have an accident on your property.
People injured in accidents may opt to pursue legal action. Injury victims begin the process by consulting a personal injury attorney. These attorneys offer free consultations, enabling them to ensure there are legal grounds to pursue a case. Once the injured party hires the attorney, the attorney’s law firm prepares legal documents and files the case with the court. The legal team gathers evidence, such as witness statements, medical test results, and video footage. It uses these materials to build a case against the defendant.
Personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee, which means the plaintiff doesn’t incur any expenses until they win their case. This means injury victims can afford to hire an attorney to handle their case while focusing on their recovery. Personal injury attorneys pursue fair compensation for medical bills and all expenses stemming from their clients’ injuries. These expenses could include the cost of retraining if the victim’s unable to return to their career field or compensation for lost wages if they have to take time off work.
How can property owners cover their legal expenses?
Secure legal representation if you’re sued by a guest injured at your home. Homeowners’ insurance includes liability insurance, covering your legal expenses and settlement costs. If you’re served notice of a lawsuit, contact your insurance company and file a claim. An approved claim provides the funds you need to hire an attorney to prepare a case and handle negotiations with the plaintiff’s lawyer. Unless you settle out of court, a judge will determine whether you’re liable for your guest’s injuries.
Property owners may be liable for injuries incurred on their property. Property owners can reduce their liability by maintaining their property and hiring professionals to renovate their bathrooms and other hazardous areas in their homes.