Johnstown
Premises Liability Lawyer

On This Page

1. Seek Compensation in a Premises Liability Case
2. Slip and Fall Accidents
3. Negligent Security Incidents
4. Compensation in Premises Liability Claims
5. Berger and Green Can Help You

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Seek Compensation in a Premises Liability Case

Did you or a loved one suffer injuries on someone else’s property due to lack of maintenance or the presence of a dangerous condition? Under premises liability law, you could potentially recover compensation.

Premises liability lawyers deal with a variety of claims such as slip and fall accidents, assaults due to negligent security, and other instances where a property owner’s negligence caused an accident. Property owners are generally responsible for ensuring that visitors to their properties do not come to harm due to any dangerous conditions.

Suffering injuries in an accident can be painful as well as expensive. If you got hurt due to the carelessness of a property owner in Johnstown, you could seek compensation for your injuries and medical bills with the help of your Johnstown premises liability lawyer. Berger and Green is committed to helping victims get what they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to determine whether you have a case and could receive damages at (412) 661-1400.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Perhaps the most common premises liability cases are so-called “slip and fall accidents.” According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over 8 million hospital visits in the U.S. annually. However, not all falls on someone else’s property automatically qualify for a slip and fall claim. If an individual suffers injuries in a fall that happened due to their own carelessness or ill-fitting footwear, for example, they will not have a claim against the property owner.

Slip and fall cases generally happen due to a dangerous condition or a lack of maintenance. Some of the conditions that can provide grounds for a slip and fall lawsuit can include:

• Wet and slippery floors
• Frayed or bulging carpeting
• Loose mats and rugs
• Broken and uneven flooring
• Lack of lighting
• Cluttered walkways
• Broken or missing steps
• Uneven sidewalks

There can be many more instances of unsafe or hazardous conditions. Property owners should fix any dangerous conditions in a timely manner and maintain their property to a safe standard to avoid liability. At the very least, owners should warn of a dangerous or hazardous condition. If a property owner failed to address a dangerous condition or warn of it, they could be responsible for your damages.

Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

One out of five falls results in major injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medical costs for complicated injuries from slips and falls can be astronomical. Some of the serious, painful, and costly injuries that can occur with slips and falls can include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Fractures and shattered bones
• Dislocations and sprains
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

Medical expenses can skyrocket with any serious injuries from slip and fall accidents. If you suffered injuries in an accident that occurred due to another’s negligence, they should pay for your injuries and medical costs. Contact Berger and Green, your Johnstown premises liability lawyer, today at (412) 661-1400. We could help you get justice and compensation.

Negligent Security Incidents

Negligent security can have terrible consequences for visitors to a property, injuring them physically and emotionally. Some of the more common negligent security incidents in Pennsylvania can include, among others:

• Shootings
• Violent and armed robberies
• Sexual assault
• Battery
• Murder

When a person suffers harm as a result of negligent security, they may have a claim against the liable party, which is typically the property owner. The injured individual can potentially receive compensation for any financial losses, injuries, and suffering that they experienced.

However, different establishments will have different security requirements. For example, a nightclub will most likely require the presence of security guards, while a hair salon might have different security needs. Generally, however, negligent security can happen due to:

• Lack of security cameras
• Malfunctioning alarms
• No security guards or untrained security personnel
• Doors without locks
• Insufficient lighting
• Broken physical barriers such as gates or fences
• Blocked emergency exits

Negligent security claims can be tricky to prove and may have several defendants. Liable parties could include a property owner, a lessee, a security firm, or a property management company, for example. A dedicated premises liability attorney can help you build a comprehensive case against all potentially liable parties.

Negligent security cases can require a great deal of research and evidence, which typically includes establishing crime rates at a property or in the immediate vicinity. An attorney will try to prove that the property owner or other liable parties should have foreseen a crime and should have taken the necessary steps to try and prevent any crimes from happening at their premises.

Compensation in Premises Liability Claims

In a premises liability lawsuit, you could receive several types of compensation. Damages will generally depend on the severity of a victim’s injuries and their other damages and can include:

Medical Costs

Medical expenses can include past, present, and future medical costs. You could receive reimbursement for any surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and physical therapy.

Lost Income

If you suffered from extensive injuries and had to take considerable time off work, you could receive lost wages and future lost wages in a settlement.

Pain and Anguish

You may be entitled to amounts for any physical or emotional pain and suffering as a result of a premises liability incident.

You could also receive a number of other economic and non-economic damages with a premises liability lawsuit, such as out-of-pocket expenses and awards for loss of life quality or permanent disability.

Consulting with a Johnstown premises liability lawyer can help to clarify any potential compensation you could receive. A lawyer will be able to calculate your damages comprehensively and can determine the approximate worth of your claim.

Berger and Green Can Help You

Premises liability claims can be challenging to litigate. However, the dedicated attorneys at Berger and Green can provide you with reassurance, protect your legal rights, and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.

If you would like to find out whether you or a loved one could receive compensation after an accident, contact Berger and Green today. We can potentially help you receive the compensation that you deserve. In the first instance, we can evaluate your claim in a free case review and inform you about your best next steps. Call Berger and Green now at (412) 661-1400.