Premises Liability Attorneys Serving Phoenix and All of Arizona
Property owners are legally obligated to make sure their property is safe for anyone who is expected to set foot on it. Neglecting to do so can make owners liable for any accidents that might occur. If you have been injured on someone else’s property in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona, you may be entitled to compensation. The best way to find out is through a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Phoenix premises liability lawyer.
With more than 45 years of experience, the premises liability attorneys at Burg Simpson have successfully handled cases involving slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, uncontrolled dogs, and a range of other premises-related accidents. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident caused by someone else’s neglectful behavior, we are here to help you understand your rights, explore your options, and choose the best path to seek the compensation you are entitled to.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Our Phoenix premises liability attorneys handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to:
- Slip and falls
- Dangerous conditions
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Inadequate security
- Pool and drowning accidents
- Amusement park accidents
Regardless of the specifics of your case, you can rely on Burg Simpson to offer you individualized attention, meticulous case preparation and management, and tenacious representation. Our award-winning lawyers are prepared to take your case as far as needed to help you secure every penny you are due.
Good Lawyers. Changing Lives.®
For a free consultation with a dedicated Phoenix premises liability lawyer, call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 today. We serve Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and all areas of Arizona.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility property owners have to maintain safe conditions for visitors on their property. True for property owners and managers alike, when a failure to address or warn about hazardous conditions results in serious injury, the owner or manager can be held liable for damages, which may include but are not limited to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- And more
Every premises liability case is unique. During your free case evaluation with a Phoenix premises liability attorney from Burg Simpson, we will review your claim to help you determine what it may be worth.
Arizona Premises Liability Laws
Arizona premises liability law requires property owners to ensure the safety of those who enter their property. Whether it is a commercial business, residential property, or public space, owners—which may include holding groups, individuals, and government entities—must take reasonable measures to prevent harm. However, different levels of care are owed depending on the type of visitor:
- Invitees
- Licensees
- Trespassers
In most cases, invitees—such as customers or guests—are owed the highest duty of care. Generally speaking, trespassers are not owed any duty of care but even here there are exceptions. Your Phoenix premises liability attorney will carefully review the details of your claim to help you determine what duty of care you may have been owed.
Arizona’s Premises Liability Statute of Limitations
Under most circumstances, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a premises liability claim in Arizona. We encourage you to take action long before this period expires. With time, crucial evidence can become harder to obtain, witnesses’ memories may become less clear, and other complications can arise. Taking swift action may help to preserve evidence and assist your Phoenix premises liability lawyer in building the strongest case for compensation.
The attorneys at Burg Simpson have a comprehensive understanding of Arizona’s laws, including precedent set in prior premises liability cases. We have the legal teams and support structures necessary to gather evidence, build factual and compelling arguments, and hold negligent property owners accountable. Reach out today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you move forward.
Common Premises Liability Claims
The Phoenix premises liability attorneys at Burg Simpson have handled a wide range of cases revolving around property owner negligence in Arizona. Among the most common types of premises liability cases we handle are:
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of premises liability claims. While property owners are not automatically liable for every fall, they can be held liable if preventable, unsafe conditions are present. Hazards such as wet floors, icy sidewalks, and uneven surfaces can lead to serious injuries when not attended to. Property owners and managers in Arizona are responsible for maintaining the walkways in front of their property.
Pooling or Standing Water
Whether indoors or outdoors, areas where water collects present a serious risk. Property owners must promptly address puddles, leaks, and other water hazards—particularly in places like shopping malls, grocery stores, and public walkways—to ensure everyone using the property remains safe.
Wet and Slippery Surfaces
Like standing water, wet and slippery surfaces must have warning signs, be sectioned off, or otherwise made safe by the property owner. Again, property owners and managers are responsible for walkway maintenance. No matter if the conditions are a result of rainfall, spills, or inadequate drainage, wet and slippery surfaces pose a serious risk to visitors.
Insufficient Safety Equipment or Warnings
If a property owner fails to post proper warning signs about known dangers or neglects to install necessary safety features (such as handrails or lighting), they can be held accountable for any injuries caused by the hazard.
Property owners—especially in high-traffic living areas like apartments and shopping centers—have a duty to provide reasonable security measures for their patrons or tenants. If insufficient security, such as inadequate lighting in parking lots or defective gates and locks, allows for an assault or robbery to take place, the property manager may be liable for any harm suffered by the victim.
Broken or Poorly Maintained Walkways
Loose tiles, torn carpeting, or cracked concrete can create tripping hazards. Property owners and managers have a legal obligation to regularly inspect and repair these hazards. When failure to maintain flooring or other walkable surfaces leads to injury, the owner of a property can be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Broken Escalators and Elevators
If property owners fail to maintain escalators and elevators, serious injury can occur. Malfunctioning elevators can trap or injure occupants, while defective escalators pose severe risks to riders, particularly children. Regular inspection and prompt repair are essential for reducing these risks.
Our Phoenix premises liability lawyers understand that no two injuries are the same. We also know that the laws governing premises liability in Arizona are complex. Proving fault often requires an extensive investigation, the gathering of critical evidence, the interviewing and deposing of witnesses, securing expert testimony, and so much more. Burg Simpson is a national law firm with a local presence. Our team has the knowledge and resources needed to stand up for your rights and help you secure the fair compensation your injury demands.
Contact Burg Simpson Today
Why Premises Liability Cases Matter
Premises liability accidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. No matter if your accident occurred at a grocery store, in a parking lot, or at a private residence, the property owner or management company may be liable for your damages. Talking to a Phoenix premises liability lawyer can help you determine if this is the case.
When property owners fail to live up to their responsibilities, the consequences for victims can be devastating. At Burg Simpson, we are dedicated to helping victims of serious injury hold negligent property owners accountable for their actions (or inaction). With more than four decades of experience handling premises liability claims throughout Arizona, our firm is well-equipped to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Proving Fault in a Premises Liability Case
To successfully bring a premise liability claim in Arizona, you must establish specific key elements that demonstrate the property owner’s negligence. These are:
- Duty of Care: Proof of ownership must be established, which then proves that a person is responsible for preserving a safe environment for visitors.
- Breach of Duty: Plaintiffs then need to establish that the owner failed to uphold that duty of care by neglecting to maintain the property sufficiently. If the property owner had a reasonable opportunity to discover and correct any hazardous conditions but failed to do so, then they have breached their duty.
- Causation of the Injury: The plaintiff then has to prove a direct link between the breach and the actual injury.
- Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages as a result of the injury. This can include both economic damages, like medical expenses, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
In order to prove fault, your Phoenix premises liability attorney will carefully investigate the details of your claim. This may include reviewing accident reports and medical records, analyzing security footage, speaking to witnesses, working with accident reconstruction experts, and hiring expert witnesses. If it can be established that a duty of care was owed, that duty was breached, the breach caused your injury, and your injury has resulted in damages, you have the option of pursuing compensation through legal action. It is our goal to hold negligent property owners to full account as we fight for the maximum compensation available under Arizona law.
Do You Need a Premises Liability Attorney in Phoenix?
When you are harmed due to property owner negligence, you have the option of dealing directly with the responsible party. This may result in compensation that you find adequate for the damages you are facing. However, serious injuries can result in costly and ongoing medical treatment, an inability to work, forced changes to your lifestyle, and untold amounts of pain and suffering. Without a premises liability lawyer on your side, your options will be limited to whatever the negligent party, their insurance company, and their attorneys decide you are owed.
With a Phoenix premises liability lawyer on your side, on the other hand, you are protected against the tricks insurance companies and defense attorneys may use to try and force a settlement. They know that if that can get you to settle, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit. Before you agree to anything being offered by an insurance company, speak to a lawyer to ensure you are not being cheated out of fair and full compensation.
Why Choose Burg Simpson?
With over four decades of experience serving Phoenix and all of Arizona, Burg Simpson has earned a national reputation for excellence. We are not just another law firm, we are proven trial attorneys with a long history of success. Our team of personal injury lawyers brings their experiences, resources, and unwavering commitment to justice to every case we take.
Our firm has recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Attorneys from Burg Simpson have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, the Legal 500, America’s Most Influential Trial Lawyers, and more for exceptional legal accomplishments, while our firm has been recognized as one of the best in America by U.S. News & World Report. No matter if we are negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your trial in court, we will stand by your side, protect your interests, and fight for your rights through it all.
We understand that dealing with a serious injury can be overwhelming. Our Phoenix premises liability lawyers will handle every aspect of your legal case, enabling you to focus on recovery. We are committed to open communication. We will keep you informed, answer all of your questions, and ensure you feel heard throughout the legal process—and we will be there, from your initial consultation through the resolution of your claim, to make sure you remain comfortable and confident while we fight for your rights.
Talk to a Phoenix Premises Liability Lawyer for FREE
If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property, call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 to schedule a private and free case review right away. Our premises liability attorneys serve individuals and families living in Tucson, Tempe, Mesa, and all of Arizona from our office in Phoenix.