After Suffering Injuries on Someone Else’s Property, We Can Help with a Premises Liability Lawsuit
If you have been hurt due to the negligence of a property owner or manager, you are likely upset. Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may have missed work, incurred medical costs, and may even be facing a significant and painful recovery. In some profoundly serious cases, you may even need to adapt to a new way of life.
Cases like this are referred to as premises liability, and are, unfortunately, commonplace in both North Carolina and across the country. Every year, thousands of people are injured as a result of the negligence of property owners. At Lakota R. Denton, P.A., we are experienced in cases like this. Contact us today at 828-333-5996 to schedule a free consultation.
When Others Do Not Believe You, Our Asheville Premises Liability Lawyers Are Ready to Help
These injuries can occur almost anywhere — at the grocery or retail stores, shopping centers, parking lots, apartment buildings or complexes, private homes, sidewalks, garages, and many other settings. Under North Carolina law, property owners must ensure that their properties are safe for authorized visitors and customers at their businesses. These laws vary by state and jurisdiction, but the underlying principle states that owners must maintain safe conditions on their property.
When owners fail to keep their properties safe, they create a potentially hazardous environment and devastating personal injuries can occur. If and when they do, the property owner can be held responsible. If you suffered an injury due to the negligence of a property or business owner, our skilled premises liability lawyer can help. We can represent you in your fight to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable and that you are appropriately compensated.
Why Choose Lakota R. Denton as Your Asheville Premises Liability Lawyer
Finding just the right Asheville premises liability lawyer to represent you in your personal injury case is an important decision. You need to be able to trust your attorney with sensitive personal information. You must feel comfortable discussing all aspects of your health with your attorney, or you and your lawyer will not be able to seek the best possible results for you in your case.
You can be certain that our premises liability lawyers will never make you feel uncomfortable about what happened to you in your case. You should not feel embarrassed, because none of this was your fault. And it is our job to hold the property owner who behaved negligently responsible. Not to brag, but we are particularly good at doing our job of protecting your rights and seeking the best possible award for you, always representing you in the most professional manner possible.
We Take the Time to Listen to Your Story
At Lakota R. Denton, our team always treats you with the respect you deserve. We start by listening to your story about what happened in your case. We also want to hear about any concerns you have regarding your future. If you believe your injuries will leave you unable to work at your job in the same manner you did previously, or if you don’t think you will be able to enjoy the same activities you did with your family before the accident on someone else’s property, we need to know about these worries. After all, this case is about helping you receive compensation for your injuries and for the way the accident is changing your life or causing a reduction in your quality of life.
Rather than trying to rush clients in and out of the office as quickly as possible, as some law firms might, our Asheville premises liability lawyer knows the importance of spending time with our clients. This does not stop once we begin negotiations with the insurance company. We work hard to keep you informed at every step of the case. We never want you to be unsure about the status of your case or about the strategy we are deploying. We want to work with you as a team to prepare for your case and to give you the highest level of professional service.
The Team at Lakota R. Denton Is Ready to Help You
Attorney Lakota Denton leads our team, choosing to have us focus on helping injured people. Because this is our primary focus, it gives us an edge against other law firms who may work on other aspects of the law and who only take on personal injury cases when they need extra work. Personal injury cases that involve premises liability can become extremely complex in a hurry, requiring a precise strategy to give the victim the best chance at a successful outcome. Firms that do not deal with these cases regularly may struggle to give your case the level of professional detail required, which is an area where we excel.
Our Experience
Lakota began practicing law in Asheville, N.C., more than a decade ago, and began operating his own law firm in 2013. At this same time, he decided to focus on personal injury cases. He knows how important it is for victims in these types of cases to receive a financial award that truly reflects their injuries and how their life changed after the accident. Injured people know they can trust our Asheville personal injury lawyer to work tirelessly to help them receive the financial judgment they need to move forward with their lives without worrying about paying for medical bills.
Lakota has several memberships and awards to his name, showing the dedication he has to his profession. He knows that victims who come to our law firm for help are placing a significant amount of trust in us, and we do not take that responsibility lightly. We want to do the absolute best job we can do for every client who chooses us.
- Member American Association for Justice
- Member North Carolina Bar Association
- Member American Bar Association
- Member National Trial Lawyers
- Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers
- Named Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 in 2014
- Received Avvo Clients’ Choice Award.
Our Asheville Premises Liability Attorney Keeps Your Case Moving Forward
You Benefit from Our Knowledge of North Carolina Premises Liability Law
In North Carolina, property managers and owners are responsible for making sure their properties are safe. This is known as a duty of care. Of course, hazards may exist. In these cases, the owner is responsible for warning visitors to keep them from harm. Not all property owners behave responsibly, though, so they can be held liable when their negligence results in accidents and injuries. In order to have a viable case, the injured party must be able to prove the property owner or manager was negligent. In North Carolina, this consists of proving the following:
- The individual responsible for the injury owed that person a duty.
- That duty was not upheld.
- The injury resulted from that person’s failure.
- The injury resulted in damages.
After reviewing the specifics of your situation, our Asheville premises liability attorney will determine the strength of your case.
Premises Liability Case Examples
A premises liability lawsuit can include a wide range of incidents resulting in injury. Serious injuries can happen when property owners do not maintain their premises. Below we have provided a list of the types of cases we handle.
- Slip and falls
- Stairway or elevator/escalator accidents
- Electrocution from defective wiring
- Sidewalk, walkway, or parking lot defects
- Insufficient security resulting in injury
- Standing water or snow/ice on walkways
- Building code violations
- Tree roots
- Poor lighting
- Loose carpet
- Falls on oil or grease in a garage
- Failure to sufficiently warn visitors of hazardous or unsafe conditions.
If you have been injured in an accident like one of those listed above, reach out to us today at 828-333-5996 to schedule a consultation with our premises liability attorney.
Our Asheville Premises Liability Lawyer Helps Determine a Fair Settlement Amount to Request for Your Injuries
While there is no limit to the types of injuries that can be sustained due to the negligence of a property owner, some of the more common ones that our clients suffer include:
- Broken bones
- Electrical shock
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head or traumatic brain injuries
- Neck or back injuries.
While some injuries are minor in nature, others can be more serious. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, reach out to us, because you may have a case. You may be surprised at how much your injuries truly affect your life when you sit down and really think about it. In any situation, if you have been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Asheville premises liability lawyer can review your situation, explain our process, and work with you to file a suit.
Potential for Limited Liability in Some Cases
North Carolina General Statute § 38A-1 limits the potential liability of some landowners. If your injury case falls under this statute, it may limit your ability to collect a judgment. In this case, owners are able to make their land and water areas available for use by the public for recreational or educational purposes without significant concerns over liability in case of an injury.
If the insurance company in your case is trying to claim it does not owe you any payment because of this statute, our Asheville premises liability lawyer can attempt to find facts that show your case does not fit the parameters of the statute. We then can attempt to seek the damages you should have.
Call Us TodayFAQ: Common Questions Regarding Premises Liability
Our Asheville Premises Liability Lawyer Keeps Our Clients Informed
Premises liability law can be confusing, and if you have been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, you are probably overwhelmed with managing your recovery. At Lakota R. Denton, we take pride in giving each and every client the hands-on personal service they need and deserve. We recognize that every situation is unique. Thus, the answer to many questions will be specific to the individual. That said, there are some issues that tend to arise repeatedly, and that can be addressed in a more general fashion.
Below, we have shared some of the most frequently asked questions we receive, along with our answers to them.
Should I accept a settlement offer from the property owner’s insurance company before talking to premises liability lawyers?
Do not accept any insurance settlements until you speak with our premises liability lawyers. In fact, you should direct all insurance inquiries to your attorney and authorize them to negotiate on your behalf. Quite often, an insurance company’s initial offers will be low and may not cover all your losses. Remember, these insurance company reps do not work for you; their job is to get you to settle for the least possible amount. At Lakota R. Denton, we are experienced in both insurance company negotiations and litigation. We will work to get you the best possible compensation package.
If I am awarded compensation, what would it include?
In North Carolina, your premises liability award may include (but is not limited to) medical expenses (both those already incurred as well as money for those estimated to be needed in the future), payment for lost time at work, property damage, permanent disfigurement and disability, and emotional distress. Should your injury be serious and impact your future earnings, you may also be compensated for lost wages. Our Asheville premises liability lawyer can give you a better idea of possible settlements based on the facts in your case.
What is contributory negligence, and can it affect me?
North Carolina has a contributory negligence statute in place. This means that if you were in any part responsible for your injuries you might not be eligible for compensation. However, according to North Carolina law § 1-139, the burden of proof of this lies with the defendant.
How long do I have to file my case?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for premises liability cases is three years from the date of the accident. It is important not to wait. You should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Is a landlord liable for a tenant’s injuries?
In certain cases, a landlord is absolutely liable for injuries sustained on the premises of a rental property. However, this is not always the case. Typically, an injured person must be able to prove their landlord was negligent. Part of proving negligence is proving that an injury was foreseeable. For example, a landlord is aware that a staircase in his building has broken steps, but he fails to repair them. It is foreseeable that in such conditions, a tenant or guest could fall and suffer injury because of the broken steps. The landlord could be liable for the damages if such an injury occurs.
Do I need an Asheville premises liability lawyer, or can I handle my premises liability lawsuit myself?
Working with an attorney who specializes in premises liability lawsuit cases is a wise decision if you have been injured. It is easy to make mistakes that will have an impact on your compensation. Our Asheville premises liability lawyer, Lakota R. Denton, is experienced in cases like this. He knows the law and the local courts and is well-versed in dealing with property owners and insurance companies.
How much will my initial consultation with our Asheville premises liability attorney cost?
Nothing. Our Asheville premises liability attorney offers all prospective clients a free consultation. We want you to meet us and understand what we are bringing to your case. There is no charge or obligation on your part for this initial meeting.
These are only a few of the many questions asked of us. Please contact our office today to schedule a consultation on your case. Once we completely understand your incident, we can provide more specific and detailed responses to your concerns. You can trust that we will work as hard as possible to seek your desired outcome.
Our Asheville Premises Liability Lawyer Works with Some of the Best Attorneys in Asheville and Around the Country
We consult with some of the best personal injury lawyers in Asheville, NC, and around the country, learning new strategies that increase the value of our clients’ slip and fall cases. We seek to ensure that our clients are treated fairly and reasonably by insurance companies, who are looking for all possible ways to save money. Attorney Lakota Denton attends seminars and conferences with some of the country’s most preeminent trial lawyers to learn innovative theories and trial strategies.
If you or someone you love has suffered a slip and fall or another type of premises liability injury, the advice and counsel of an experienced attorney are invaluable. When you work with the Lakota R. Denton, PA team, you can rest assured that we will work tirelessly on your behalf. We believe those who do not exercise proper care should be held responsible when others are injured because of their negligence.
Have You Been Injured Due to a Property Owner’s Negligence?
Contact Our Asheville Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt on someone else’s property, talk to Attorney Lakota Denton. He has the experience and resources to hold property owners accountable for their negligence. Our firm represents injured people and fights to help them obtain appropriate compensation for their losses. We have earned a reputation for providing our clients the high-quality, responsive service they need and deserve. We understand that the combination of recovering from your injuries and pursuing the financial settlement you deserve can be overwhelming.
We pride ourselves on communicating with you sympathetically while aggressively pursuing justice.
Our team is standing by to assist you with your needs and to answer your questions. Contact us today at 828-333-5996 for a free, no-pressure consultation to see how we can help you move forward.
Lakota R. Denton, P.A. – Asheville Office
36 Orchard St, Asheville, NC 28801
P: (828) 333-5996