Property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for people who are lawfully on their property. If dangerous conditions are ignored or left unaddressed, visitors can suffer serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time away from work. Whether the injury occurs at a private residence, rental home, or another privately owned property, you may have a case for compensation if you suffer a preventable injury on someone else’s property.

Your case is important, and you deserve counsel from our team of experienced premises liability attorneys. Reach out to a Mankato private property liability lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your legal options.

Common Accidents on Private Property

Private property accidents happen in many different ways. While every property presents unique risks, there may be certain incidents that are more likely than others to result in a serious injury. Some of the most common examples include:

  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Injuries caused by inadequate lighting
  • Dog bites and animal attacks
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Injuries caused by falling objects
  • Balcony or porch collapse
  • Exposure to harmful chemicals

The reality is that many of these accidents are preventable. If a property owner or occupant fails to address a dangerous condition, an injured visitor may have grounds to pursue a case for compensation. That is where our Mankato private property premises liability attorneys come in.

Who Can Be Liable?

Before you can recover financial compensation for your injury, you will need to prove someone else was at fault. In some cases, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the premises. In others, a tenant may have assumed responsibility for keeping the property reasonably safe under the terms of a lease or rental agreement. A Mankato private property liability attorney can help you pursue a claim against all of the parties who caused your injury.

Property Owners

Property owners have a responsibility to use reasonable care in maintaining their property for lawful visitors. That includes inspecting the property for dangerous conditions, making repairs within a reasonable time, and providing adequate warning if a hazard cannot be corrected immediately. If a property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to address it, they may be responsible for the injuries that follow.

Tenants

Tenants may also bear responsibility if they control the area where the accident occurred. Whether or not a tenant has an obligation to maintain some or all of the property will depend on the terms of the lease. For example, a tenant leasing a home may have a duty to keep walkways, entrances, or other areas under their control reasonably safe for visitors.

The Deadline to File an Injury Lawsuit

Minnesota law limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident on private property. In many premises liability cases, you may only have two years from the date of the injury to file your claim. Other cases may give rise to longer statutes of limitations, depending on the circumstances of the injury.  The deadline to bring a claim is strictly enforced, and failing to file your claim on time can cost you. In general, the court may have no choice but to dismiss your case with prejudice if you miss the time limit to file suit.

While it may seem like you have plenty of time, waiting can also make your case more difficult to prove. Hazardous conditions may be repaired, surveillance footage may be erased, and witnesses may forget important details. Beginning the investigation as soon as possible gives your attorney the best opportunity to preserve the evidence needed to support your private property injury claim in Mankato.

Call a Private Property Liability Attorney in Mankato Today

If you have been hurt at someone else’s private property, now is the right time to explore your legal options. Reach out to a Mankato private property liability lawyer as soon as possible. Our team is prepared to get to work for you.