West Valley City Premises Liability Attorney

Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions, and when they fail, serious injuries can occur. If you’ve been hurt on someone’s property, call Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks at (801) 500-4000 to explore your legal options for free.

When you visit a store, restaurant, apartment complex, or any other property in West Valley City, you expect it to be safe. But when a property owner fails to fix hazards like wet floors, broken stairs, or poor lighting, you can get seriously hurt. A simple trip to the grocery store can turn into a painful fall. A poorly maintained apartment building can leave you with injuries that change your life. When you’re hurt, it’s not just the pain you have to deal with, but also the medical bills, lost wages, and seemingly neverending stress.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we’ve seen how devastating these accidents can be. Property owners have a duty to keep their spaces safe, and when they don’t, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences. If you were injured because of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you have the right to seek compensation.

Our experienced team, including Mark Flickinger, Brett Boulton, Kevin Robson, and Zeb Weeks, has secured life-changing settlements, including eight- and nine-figure amounts, for clients just like you. We’ll help you hold negligent property owners accountable so you can focus on healing.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability accidents can happen anywhere in West Valley City, at a grocery store, apartment complex, or even a neighbor’s home. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, innocent people can suffer serious injuries. Below are some of the most common types of premises liability cases:

• Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent claims. Hazards like wet floors, icy sidewalks, loose carpeting, or uneven surfaces can lead to dangerous falls. In West Valley City, icy winters make walkways particularly hazardous. Victims may suffer broken bones, head injuries, or long-term disabilities. Property owners must address these risks to prevent accidents.
• Inadequate Security: Property owners must provide a reasonably secure environment. Poor lighting, broken locks, or lack of security personnel can lead to assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes. If a property owner knew about safety risks but failed to act, they may be held liable.
• Dog Bites: Dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets. A dog bite can cause deep wounds, infections, or permanent scarring. These incidents often happen in neighborhoods, parks, or apartment complexes where dogs are unrestrained. Utah law holds owners strictly liable for bites, meaning victims only need to prove the attack occurred, not negligence.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Swimming pools pose significant risks, especially for children. Property owners must ensure pools are secure and well-maintained to prevent tragedies.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a property owner’s negligence in West Valley City, it is important for you to seek help from an experienced premises liability attorney.

Utah Laws Governing Premises Liability

If you’re injured on someone else’s property in Utah, understanding your legal rights is essential. Below are some of the key laws that may impact your premises liability claim:

• Duty of Care for Property Owners: In Utah, property owners must maintain a safe environment for visitors. The level of responsibility depends on your status as a visitor. Invitees, like customers, receive the highest protection. Licensees, such as social guests, must be warned of known hazards. Trespassers get little protection.
• Comparative Negligence in Premises Liability Cases: Utah follows a comparative negligence rule. If you are partially responsible for your injury, such as not paying attention to warning signs, your compensation may be reduced. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you may not be able to recover damages.
• Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims: If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in Utah, you have four years to file a premises liability claim. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation.

Navigating a premises liability case can be complex, especially with laws like comparative negligence and strict filing deadlines. Consulting a lawyer can help you understand your rights and improve your chances of securing compensation.

Proving Negligence in a Premises Liability Case

If you were injured on someone else’s property in West Valley, you may have a premises liability case. But to win, you must prove the property owner was negligent. This involves establishing four key elements. These elements include:

• The Property Owner Had a Duty to Keep You Safe: Property owners in West Valley must ensure their property is safe for visitors. Whether it’s a store, an apartment complex, or a public space, they are responsible for maintaining the area and addressing hazards. If you were legally on the property, the owner owed you a duty of care.
• The Owner Neglected Their Duty: Negligence occurs when a property owner fails to fix a dangerous condition or warn visitors about it. This could be an unattended spill in a restaurant, broken stairs in an office building, or icy sidewalks in a shopping center. If they knew or should have known about the danger but did nothing, they may be at fault.
• The Unsafe Condition Led to Your Injury: It’s not enough to show that a hazard existed, you must prove that it directly caused your injury. For example, if you slipped on an unmarked wet floor or tripped over broken pavement in a West Valley parking lot, evidence like photos, witness statements, and medical records can help prove this.
• You Suffered Damages: You must prove that the injury led to losses such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Thorough documentation, including receipts, medical records, and proof of missed work, can help strengthen your claim.

If you can establish these four elements, you may have a strong premises liability case in West Valley. A skilled West Valley premises liability lawyer can help gather evidence, build a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Steps to Take After an Injury on Someone Else’s Property

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in West Valley City, it’s important to take the right steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. Here are some of the steps you should take:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your health should always come first. Even if your injuries seem minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, might not show symptoms right away. A medical report will also serve as crucial evidence if you decide to file a premises liability claim.
• Document the Scene: If you’re able, take photos and videos of the area where the accident happened. Capture any hazards, such as wet floors, broken stairs, or poor lighting. This can help establish whether the property owner was negligent.
• Gather Witness Information: If anyone saw what happened, ask for their names and contact information. Witness statements can strengthen your claim, especially if the property owner tries to dispute what happened.
• Report the Incident: Notify the property owner, manager, or landlord about the accident. If it happened at a business, request a written incident report. Keep a copy for your records, as this can help prove that the accident occurred.
• Keep Records of Your Injuries and Expenses: Track all medical visits, treatments, prescriptions, and any costs related to your injury. If you miss work due to the accident, document your lost wages. These records are vital when seeking compensation.
• Consult a Premises Liability Attorney: Premises liability cases can be complicated, and insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney familiar with West Valley laws can help you understand your legal options, gather evidence, and negotiate for fair compensation.

Taking these steps after an injury on someone else’s property can help protect your health, strengthen your claim, and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Compensation Available for Premises Liability Victims

If you were injured on someone else’s property in West Valley, you may be entitled to compensation. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe, and if their negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden alone. Here are some types of compensation you may be able to recover:

• Medical Expenses: One of the most immediate concerns after an accident is medical bills. Whether you suffered a slip and fall at a grocery store, were injured due to poor lighting in a parking lot, or got hurt because of unsafe conditions at an apartment complex, you may be facing costly medical treatments. Compensation can cover emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. In severe cases, where long-term treatment is needed, your claim can also account for future medical expenses.
• Lost Wages: An injury can leave you unable to work for days, weeks, or even months. If your accident has caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes any paychecks you missed while recovering.
• Pain and Suffering: Not all damages are financial. The physical pain caused by an injury can affect your daily life, making even simple tasks difficult. Whether you suffered broken bones, nerve damage, or chronic pain as a result of the accident, compensation for pain and suffering takes into account the hardships you experience due to your injuries.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If you’ve lost a loved one due to a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for funeral costs, burial expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional toll of losing someone close to you. While no amount of money can replace a loved one, wrongful death damages help ease the financial burden on the family.

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in West Valley, it’s essential to understand your rights to compensation. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and navigate the legal process.

By pursuing a premises liability claim, you can hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the financial support you need to recover and move forward.

Challenges in Filing a Premises Liability Claim

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in West Valley, you may have the right to seek compensation. However, filing a premises liability claim isn’t always straightforward. Many challenges can make the process difficult, from proving negligence to dealing with insurance companies. Here are some of the biggest challenges you may face when seeking compensation:

Disputes Over Who Is Responsible

In some premises liability cases, it’s not always clear who is responsible for maintaining the property. If you get hurt in a rented apartment complex in West Valley, the landlord or the tenant could be responsible. If you slip in a store, the business owner or the building owner might be at fault. Determining liability can be complicated, especially when multiple parties are involved. A careful investigation is often needed to find out who was supposed to maintain the property and whether they failed to do so.

Lowball Offers from Insurance Companies

Even if you have a strong case, getting fair compensation isn’t always easy. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by offering low settlements. They may argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim or that your medical treatment wasn’t necessary. Understanding the true value of your case is critical before agreeing to any settlement.

Proving That Your Injuries Were Directly Caused by the Hazard

Another challenge is linking your injuries directly to the accident. Insurance companies and property owners often try to argue that your injuries were pre-existing or caused by something else. They may claim that your back pain, for example, was due to a previous condition rather than the fall. To counter this, it’s essential to have strong medical documentation. Seeing a doctor right after your accident can help establish a clear connection between the incident and your injuries. Medical records, doctor’s notes, and expert testimony can all help strengthen your case.

Navigating Utah’s Comparative Fault Rule

Utah follows a comparative fault system, which means that if you’re found partially responsible for your accident, your compensation can be reduced. If the insurance company argues that you were 20% at fault for not paying attention, your total compensation would be reduced by 20%. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you won’t be able to recover any compensation at all. As a result of this, property owners and insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured person. They might say you were distracted, wearing the wrong shoes, or not being careful enough. Overcoming these claims requires strong evidence and an experienced legal team that knows how to protect your rights.

Navigating a premises liability claim can be difficult, but being prepared for these challenges can help you build a strong case. With the right evidence and legal support, you can improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

How Our Firm Helps Premises Liability Victims in West Valley City

Suffering an injury on someone else’s property can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of what comes next. In West Valley City, property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions, and when they fail, they should be held accountable.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we have decades of experience helping victims like you seek justice and fair compensation. Our team of skilled attorneys is dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with compassion and expertise. Here’s how we can help you:

Identifying Every Liable Party

Premises liability cases often involve more than just the property owner. Depending on the circumstances, landlords, business operators, security companies, or maintenance providers may also be responsible. We analyze every aspect of your accident to determine who should be held accountable. Identifying all liable parties ensures that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

Thoroughly Investigating Your Premises Liability Case

A strong premises liability claim starts with a detailed investigation. Our attorneys work together to gather critical evidence. This includes reviewing surveillance footage, speaking with witnesses, examining maintenance records, and consulting with safety experts.

Our firm also works with medical professionals, safety inspectors, and accident reconstruction specialists to prove that unsafe conditions led to your injury. Whether your injury occurred at a West Valley City business, apartment complex, or public space, we leave no stone unturned in building a strong case.

Handling Insurance Companies on Your Behalf

After an accident, insurance companies may reach out with a quick settlement offer. While it may seem tempting, these offers are usually far lower than what you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery costs.

With over 30 years of experience, our firm knows exactly how insurance companies operate. We’ve successfully negotiated with some of the largest companies to ensure our clients receive the full compensation they deserve.

We evaluate all damages, including medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain, emotional distress, and permanent disability or disfigurement. We won’t let insurance companies take advantage of you.

Taking Your Case to Court If Necessary

While many premises liability cases are settled outside of court, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our attorneys, including Bruce M. Franson, are experienced litigators who won’t back down against powerful insurance companies or property owners.

Our experienced litigators, including Kevin K. Robson and Zeb Q. Weeks, have successfully represented clients in West Valley City and throughout Utah. With a track record of success that includes multimillion-dollar settlements, such as $5 million for a wrongful death case, we have the skills and resources to take your case to court if necessary.

If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property in West Valley City, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. With our experience, dedication, and proven results, we will stand by your side, fight for your rights, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, you probably have a lot of questions about your rights and legal options. Here are some common questions about premises liability cases in West Valley: