Accidents happen, but the situation can become more complicated when an injury occurs on someone else’s property. A broken sidewalk, a wet floor at a grocery store, or a loose handrail on a porch can lead to serious injuries like sprained ankles, fractures, or even head trauma.

When this happens, who is responsible? The answer depends on Alabama’s premises liability laws, which outline the legal obligations of property owners to keep visitors safe. If they fail to maintain their property and someone gets hurt, they may be held accountable for the injuries.

Understanding these laws and knowing what to do after an injury can help protect your rights and strengthen a potential claim.

Learn the steps to take and how experienced Alabama personal injury lawyers can help with your claim.

Understanding Premises Liability in Alabama

Premises liability holds property owners responsible for injuries due to hazardous conditions. The level of responsibility depends on the visitor’s legal status:

• Invitees: People invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store. Property owners have a high level of responsibility to keep invitees safe, which includes routinely checking for hazards, addressing dangers, and providing clear warnings about potential risks.
• Licensees: Social guests or individuals allowed on the property for non-business reasons. Owners must warn them of known dangers but are not required to inspect for hazards.
• Trespassers: People who enter without permission. Generally, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers except in cases involving children or intentional harm.

If a property owner fails to address unsafe conditions, they may be responsible for injuries that result.

Steps To Take Immediately After an Injury

Taking the right steps after an injury can help you receive proper medical care and preserve evidence for a potential legal claim. Here’s what to do:

Seek Medical Attention

Getting checked by a doctor immediately helps in two ways: it ensures proper treatment and connects the injury to the incident. A fall on a wet floor could mean a fractured wrist, a trip on uneven stairs might result in a sprained ankle, and a pool accident could cause a head injury.

Even if symptoms seem mild, conditions like concussions or internal injuries can worsen over time. A medical evaluation documents the extent of the injury, which can be crucial if you pursue a claim.

Report the Incident

Tell the property owner, manager, or landlord about the injury as soon as possible. Ask for a written incident report in a store or business and request a copy. If the injury happens at a friend’s house, a rental property, or a public place, written communication, like a text or email, can help document when and where the injury occurred.

Reporting the incident creates an official record, making it harder for the owner or their insurance company to dispute liability later.

Gather Evidence

Collecting evidence at the scene can help establish what caused the injury. If possible:

• Take photos of the hazardous condition, such as a wet floor, broken railing, or uneven pavement.
• Capture images of your injuries.
• Obtain contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
• Note any security cameras in the area that may have recorded the accident.

Keep Medical Records

Save all records of doctor visits, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and medical expenses. These documents link the injury to the accident and show the financial burden caused by medical care.

Bills, receipts, and doctor’s notes can also help prove the need for ongoing treatment if symptoms persist or worsen.

Track Your Recovery

Keep a journal detailing pain levels, mobility issues, and how the injury affects daily life. Note missed workdays, difficulty with routine tasks, and any changes in physical or emotional well-being.

These records provide a clear picture of the injury’s long-term impact, which can be important when seeking compensation.

Alabama’s Comparative Negligence Law

Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule, which is stricter than the comparative negligence laws in many other states. Under this rule, if an injured person is found to be even slightly at fault for their injury, they may be barred from recovering compensation.

For example, if someone trips on a broken step but is distracted by their phone, the property owner may argue that the person is partially responsible. Because Alabama’s law does not allow compensation for anyone who shares fault, insurance companies and property owners often try to shift blame to the injured person. This makes gathering strong evidence and seeking legal guidance even more important.

How The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help

Premises liability cases can be complex, especially with Alabama’s contributory negligence rule. The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers understand these challenges and take a proactive approach to protecting your claim.

Our team can:

• Investigate the accident to determine if a property owner’s negligence caused the injury.
• Collect and preserve critical evidence, such as photos, witness statements, and medical records.
• Handle communication with insurance companies to prevent tactics that minimize or deny claims.
• Assess whether legal action is necessary and guide you through the claims process.

Working with our attorneys can help you avoid issues like missed deadlines, giving statements that hurt your claim, or losing vital evidence. We walk you through the process, handling the legal details so you can focus on recovery.

Get Qualified Legal Help for Your Premises Liability Claim

The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling premises liability cases, including slip and falls, negligent security, and injuries from unsafe structures. We fight back when property owners, landlords, and businesses try to avoid responsibility.

Our team is ready to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options and learn how we can help you pursue a fair settlement.