Premises Liability Lawyer Fort Worth, TX

How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps If You Were Hurt on Someone Else’s Property

We take on the property owner and their insurance company so you can focus on recovering. As a visitor, you can’t control conditions on someone else’s property. That’s why Texas puts the duty to keep it safe on the owner. Owners and their insurers rarely accept blame without a fight.

When you hire us, our attorneys will:

Investigate how the injury happened
Gather evidence to prove what the owner knew and failed to fix
Bring in experts when they strengthen your case
Protect you from claims that you caused your own injury
Calculate the full value of your case
Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf

We work on a contingency fee, so you don’t owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We serve all of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

What Is Premises Liability in Texas?

Premises liability is the law that makes property owners responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property. Owners in Texas must use reasonable care to keep their property safe. You may have a claim if you were hurt at a:

Grocery store
Shopping mall
Restaurant or bar
School or daycare
College or university
Apartment complex
Office building
Government building
Public park
Hospital
Hotel
Sports venue

Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Fort Worth

Slips and falls are the most common premises liability case, but unsafe property can hurt people in many ways. A missing gate can let a child fall into a pool. A broken gate at an apartment complex can let an assault happen. We handle cases involving:

Slip and fall accidents
Wet floors
Broken sidewalks
Snow and ice
Falls from heights
Falling objects
Elevator or escalator accidents
Swimming pool accidents
Playground accidents
Negligent security and assault
Dog bites and animal attacks
Poisoning or toxic exposure

How Do I Prove the Property Owner Is Responsible?

You must show that the owner failed to keep the property reasonably safe and that this failure caused your injury. Specifically, you need to prove:

You were on the property with the owner’s consent
A dangerous condition existed on the property
The owner failed to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition
The dangerous condition caused your injury
You suffered damages as a result

What the owner owed you depends on why you were there. Businesses owe customers (invitees) the highest duty: inspect for hidden dangers, fix known hazards in a reasonable time, and warn about any that can’t be fixed right away. Social guests (licensees) must be warned about non-obvious risks. Trespassers have limited rights, but owners must take reasonable steps to keep children away from dangers such as pools.

What Is My Fort Worth Premises Liability Case Worth?

The severity of your injury matters most. We also look at:

The cost of your medical treatment, past and future
How the injury affects your ability to work
Whether you’ll make a full recovery or face a permanent disability
Your need for rehab, nursing care, or in-home help
The injury’s effect on your emotional well-being and quality of life

You can seek economic damages (medical expenses, lost income, lost earning potential, rehabilitation, care, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, embarrassment, loss of consortium).

Expect the insurance company to argue that you caused the accident, failed to limit your damages, or had a pre-existing injury. Talk to a lawyer before you accept a settlement offer.

What if I’m being blamed? Texas uses modified comparative negligence. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share. At 51% or more, you recover nothing.

Injuries We See in Premises Liability Cases

Falls and unsafe property cause serious injuries, and treatment can be overwhelming even with insurance. Our clients’ cases often involve:

Broken bones and broken hips
Knee, shoulder, wrist, and ankle injuries
Head and neck injuries
Concussions
Traumatic brain injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries
Burns
Puncture wounds

For the most serious cases, see our pages on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Texas?

You generally have two years from the date of the injury. After the statute of limitations (the deadline to file a lawsuit) passes, you lose the right to sue. Injuries on government property can have much shorter notice deadlines, so call early.

About Brad Parker

Fort Worth Premises Liability FAQs

What is a premises liability claim in Texas?

A premises liability claim holds a property owner or occupier responsible for an injury caused by an unsafe condition on their property. Texas property owners have a duty to use reasonable care to keep their property safe. The claim can apply to stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, offices, hotels, parks, and other properties.

Does a property owner's duty depend on why I was on the property?

Yes. Business invitees, such as customers, are owed the highest duty. The owner must inspect for hidden dangers, fix known hazards in a reasonable time, and warn about dangers that can't be fixed right away. Licensees, such as social guests, must be warned about non-obvious risks. Trespassers have more limited rights, but owners must take reasonable steps to protect young children from attractive nuisances such as swimming pools.

Can I sue if I was assaulted at an apartment complex or business?

Possibly. A negligent security claim may apply when a property owner failed to take reasonable safety measures, such as fixing broken gates, locks, or lighting, and that failure allowed an assault to happen. These cases depend heavily on the facts, so talk to a lawyer early.

Can I recover compensation if the property owner blames me?

Possibly. Under Texas modified comparative negligence law, you lose the right to compensation once your share of fault reaches 51%. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Texas?

You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. After that, you lose your right to sue. Claims involving government property can have much shorter notice deadlines.

How much does a premises liability lawyer cost?

We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront and don't owe attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee will never exceed your recovery, and we explain the exact terms in writing before we begin.