Businesses, landlords, and homeowners are responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition for guests. When someone is injured or killed due to dangerous property conditions, it is important to find out what the property owner did to protect his or her guests from harm. The owner of the property may be liable (legally responsible) if it can be proved that their negligence led to the injury or death. If you have suffered an injury of this type which you believe may be a result the negligence of another person, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover the costs involved to pay for your medical bills, any lost earnings or other pain, disfigurement, emotional distress or permanent physical disability you have suffered.

Drowning - Each year approximately 4500 people drown and many of these occur while on another person’s property. Almost 25% of those are children under 18 years old and there are 4 more children with a water related injury for every one that drowns. Some of these accidents are a result of a land owner or occupier’s negligence. For example, proper safety measures, such as fences surrounding the pool, latches on gates that are out of reach of children, pool covers, motion sensors, or failure to provide proper supervision may not have been taken with respect to a swimming pool, especially when children are using the property.

Examples of Defective Property - Almost any dangerous property condition can cause injuries or death. Our clients include people and families who have been hurt or killed because of:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Dog bites or mauling
• Unlocked or unsupervised swimming pools - drowning
• Improper and inadequate lighting
• Improper or inadequate security in areas that have a history or crime and assaults
• Sexual assaults
• Assault and battery
• Broken sidewalks, stairs, steps and dangerous stairwells that cause trip and fall accidents
• Missing stair rails or uneven steps
• Unfilled holes
• Falling merchandise in stores
• Fires and explosions
• Wet and slippery floors that cause slip and fall injuries
• Pavement cracks and breaks
• Malfunctioning elevators and escalators
• Failure to warn of a hazardous or dangerous property condition
• Attractive nuisances that injure children
• Exposure to hazardous materials on the property

In cases involving premises liability, a plaintiff must prove that the property owner either failed to maintain the property or created unsafe conditions which caused the injury, knew about the unsafe hazard but didn't alert visitors or tenants to this fact, was not careful concerning unsafe conditions which might attract children, or took actions or neglected conditions that caused damage to a neighboring property.

IMPORTANT: If an insurance claims agent for the person at fault calls to "interview" you, decline -- at least until you have spoken with an attorney. Despite what the insurance agent might tell you, he is NOT "just trying to help."

The Watkin Law Office has successfully handled numerous premises liability cases for our clients. If you believe you've suffered an injury due to a property owner's negligence in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area, we would like to hear from you.

Contact us online or call at 480-281-3838 to arrange a consultation. When results matter, choose The Watkin Law Office, P.C.

The Watkin Law Office, P.C. represents serious injury and wrongful death clients throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Surprise, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Goodyear, Casa Grande, Gila Bend, Tucson, Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Wickenburg, Sun City, Anthem, Payson, Yuma, Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Show Low, Pinetop, Lakeside — Maricopa County, Pima County, Pinal County, Coconino County, Yuma County, Navajo County, Apache County, Mohave County, Yavapai County and Gila County.