At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers we have over 92 years of combined experience. Our legal team has won over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Since 1981, has fought for the rights of injured victims and their families. Contact us in St. Catharines, Ontario, at 289-301-9496.
Have you been injured on someone else’s property because of unsafe conditions? If so, the property owner or occupier could be responsible for your injuries and damages. Our St. Catharines premises liability lawyers can help you hold them accountable for failing to meet their duty to keep their property reasonably safe. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
How Our St. Catharines Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property in Ontario, Canada
A property owner who refuses to maintain their premises in reasonable care puts visitors, passersby, and others in danger. A hazardous condition on someone’s property could result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we stand up for your rights by pursuing premises liability claims that hold property owners legally responsible for dangerous conditions.
When you hire our top-rated personal injury lawyers in St. Catharines, you can expect us to:
- Complete a thorough investigation to determine what caused your injuries
- Identify all parties who could potentially be responsible for your injuries and damages
- Verify insurance coverage, file insurance claims, and deal with the insurance adjusters
- Assess how much your premises liability claim is worth by meticulously documenting your damages
- Work with the best expert witnesses in various fields as necessary
- Use negotiation and mediation effectively to resolve your claim without going to court if possible
- File a premises liability lawsuit and fiercely advocate for your rights by arguing your case in court when necessary
Our lawyers are seasoned trial lawyers and aggressive negotiators. We work to obtain the maximum value for your premises liability claim. However, we also focus on helping you get your life back to normal after a tragic accident. Our legal team is focused on making you whole again after an accident or personal injury.
At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, our award-winning personal injury lawyers are recognized nationally and locally for their legal expertise, successful track record, and outstanding client service. Learn more about how we can help you by calling our office for a free case evaluation with a premises liability lawyer in St. Catharines, ON.
We Handle All Types of Premises Liability Claims in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common types of premises liability claims in St. Catharines, ON. However, there are many ways that you could be injured while on someone else’s property. Our St. Catharines premises liability lawyers handle all types of claims including, but not limited to:
- Fires and explosions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Mercury and lead poisoning
- Escalator and elevator accidents
- Insufficient lighting
- Exposed writing and electrical cords
- Amusement park accidents
- Swimming pool injuries
- Loose or damaged flooring and rugs
- Potholes, cracks, and damage to sidewalks and parking lots
- Poisoning and exposure to dangerous substances
- Porch, stair, and deck collapses
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Inadequate security
Proving that a property owner is liable for your injuries can be challenging. You must prove the elements of a premises liability case to recover compensation for your damages. If you hire us we’ll handle all aspects of your case, including gathering evidence to prove the legal elements of your case.
Proving Fault for a Premises Liability Claim in St. Catharines, Ontario
Property owners and occupiers can be held liable for injuries and damages that occur on their property. Occupiers are held to the same duty of care as property owners under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. Occupiers are parties that have control or physical possession of property. They include, but are not limited to:
- Tenants and landlords
- Security companies
- Homeowners
- Cleaning crews
- Snow removal crews
- Members and coaches of sports organizations using the property
- Community group leaders
- Property Manager
When determining whether these parties are responsible for your damages, our St. Catharines premises liability lawyers analyze the legal elements of a premises liability claim. Those elements are:
Duty of Care
Occupiers and property owners owe a duty of care to all parties who enter the property. They must take reasonable steps to prevent injuries by maintaining their property in a safe condition. The duty of care includes fixing potential hazards and providing adequate warnings of risks they know about.
Breach of Duty
The owner or occupier breaches their duty of care when they fail to take reasonable steps to maintain the property. Breaching the duty of care results in negligence.
Causation
You were injured while on the property because of the owner or occupier’s breach of duty. You must be able to link your injury to the negligence and failure to take care of the property. If you cannot prove that the failure to meet the duty of care caused your injuries, the owner or occupier may not be liable for damages.
Damages
Damages include the physical injuries you sustain because of your accident. They also include your financial losses and emotional injuries.
Common Injuries Sustained in Premises Liability Accidents in St. Catharines, Ontario
Accidents on someone else’s property can cause severe injuries and life-threatening conditions. Our legal team handles premises liability claims involving injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal organ damage
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Skin infections
- Concussions and skull fractures
- Back injuries and disc herniations
- Nerve damage and soft tissue injury
- Severe burns and scarring
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Chest injuries
Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, it is in your best interest to see a doctor as soon as possible after an injury on someone’s property. Documenting your injuries is an essential step. You need to prove your damages to recover compensation for them in a premises liability claim.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Premises Liability Claim in St. Catharines, Ontario?
Damages compensate you for your losses in a premises liability case. Injured victims can seek compensation for pecuniary damages such as:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalizations, rehabilitative therapies, doctor’s bills, surgeries, and more
- Loss of income, including wages, benefits, and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including household services, personal care, etc.
- Long-term nursing care or assisted living care
Financial losses are only one type of damage in a premises liability case. Injured victims can also receive compensation for their non-pecuniary damages. Those damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The amount you receive for damages depends on numerous factors, one of which is the severity of your injuries. Generally, the value of damages increases as the severity of injuries increases.
The strength of your evidence is also a factor. You must establish liability to recover damages. If there is doubt about liability, the owner or occupier may offer a smaller amount to settle the claim. Additionally, if you could be partially to blame for causing your injuries, the value of your claim could decrease.
Our St. Catharines premises liability lawyers understand the various factors that impact the value of damages. We work to maximize damages by building a solid case for liability and defending you against allegations of blame for your injuries.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims in Ontario, Canada?
Ontario’s statute of limitations for premises liability claims is generally two years from the injury date. The court can dismiss your lawsuit if you file it after the deadline expires. However, you should always confirm the deadline with a lawyer.
There could be other deadlines in your case, depending on the circumstances involved with your claim. For example, if your injury occurred on public property, your claim might be against a government or municipality. In that case, you may have just days or weeks to file a Notice of Claim to preserve your right to sue a government entity.
It is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid missing a deadline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Catharines Premises Liability Lawyers
A slip and fall or other accident on someone’s property can cause devastating injuries. If you or your child has been injured on someone’s property, you deserve to be compensated for your damages. Call Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review with an experienced St. Catharines premises liability lawyer.