When you enter someone else’s property, you have a reasonable expectation of safety. Whether you are visiting a retail store, walking through a parking lot, or staying at a hotel, the property owner has a legal responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. If they fail to meet that duty and you suffer a serious injury as a result, you deserve real answers and meaningful legal representation. A Sandusky premises liability lawyer at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you need.
We understand how disorienting it can be to suffer a serious injury on someone else’s property. The medical bills, missed work, and the pain of an injury that was not your fault can all feel difficult. Our injury attorneys have years of experience helping injured clients, and we are ready to manage the legal process while you focus on healing. Our No Fee Promise means you will not pay us anything unless we win your case, and all consultations are completely free and confidential. We will take the time to listen to your story and develop a strategy that reflects your situation.
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability cases can arise from different situations. From poorly maintained sidewalks to slippery floors, hazardous conditions can leave you with serious, life-altering injuries. If a hazard caused your injury and the property owner knew about it, created it, or had enough time that a reasonable inspection would have uncovered it and addressed it, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages and injuries.
These accidents can happen on any type of property, including in grocery stores, apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants, parking garages, and private residences. Some of the most frequently seen types of premises accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors, icy walkways, or uneven surfaces
- Trip and fall accidents caused by loose carpeting, broken pavement, or debris
- Falling object accidents caused by improperly stored merchandise or unsecured overhead materials
- Inadequate security incidents that lead to assault or theft on commercial property
- Swimming pool accidents due to a lack of proper fencing, lifeguards, or safety equipment
Injuries stemming from these types of accidents can range from fractured bones and torn ligaments to traumatic brain injuries and permanent spinal cord damage. The severity of your injuries is one factor that can affect the value of your claim, along with the specific facts of your case and issues of liability. Consulting with legal counsel as early as possible can make a significant difference in your case outcome.
No matter the circumstances, our premises liability attorneys in Sandusky can help establish that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to act. Our team has the resources to investigate your case, gather critical evidence, and build a compelling claim on your behalf.
Injured on someone else’s property? Contact Charles E. Boyk Law Offices today for a free and confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Your Rights as a Visitor Under State Premises Law
The level of care a property owner owes you depends on the capacity in which you were present on the property when the injury took place. As an invitee—someone who enters a property with the owner’s express or implied invitation for a commercial or public purpose—you are entitled to the highest level of protection. Property owners must take reasonable actions to inspect their premises, identify hazardous conditions, and either correct them promptly or provide adequate warning. Businesses, hotels, entertainment venues, and other public-facing properties generally owe this level of care to their guests.
It is also worth noting that when a property owner violates a specific state safety code or local ordinance, this may support a claim of negligence per se, meaning the violation can be evidence of negligence if certain legal requirements are met. This can reduce your burden of proof and put you in a stronger position from the start of your claim.
If you enter a property as a licensee—a social guest or someone present with permission but not for a commercial purpose—state courts have held that property owners must warn you of known dangers that are not reasonably obvious. While this is a lower standard than the one property owners owe to an invitee, it still creates real legal obligations for property owners. In limited situations, trespassers may have certain protections under state law, such as when a property owner knows trespassers regularly enter an area and fails to address or warn about highly dangerous conditions.
No matter which category applies to your situation, our attorneys are ready to evaluate the full circumstances of your Sandusky premises liability case and explain exactly what duty of care the property owner owed you. We have helped clients seek fair outcomes after injuries on unsafe properties, and we are prepared to use that experience to help with your case. In one premises liability case, our attorneys secured a $150,000 settlement for a woman who suffered a broken shoulder and elbow after she tripped and fell over a metal plate that had been improperly placed in her apartment building’s entryway.
How Does the State’s Contributory Fault Rule Affect Your Premises Claim?
One issue that frequently arises in premises liability cases is whether the injured person contributed in any way to causing the accident. Property owners and their insurers often raise this argument to reduce or eliminate their financial responsibility. The state’s contributory fault law addresses this directly.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2315.33, if you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if a court awards $150,000 but finds you were 20 percent at fault, it will reduce your recovery to $120,000. However, if you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible, you may be barred from recovering damages. Insurance adjusters know this rule well and will use every available argument to shift fault onto you, which is precisely why experienced legal representation matters.
Our Sandusky lawyers will work to investigate the circumstances of your unsafe property accident, gather witness statements, review available surveillance footage, and consult with relevant professionals to counter any attempt to assign undue liability to you. Protecting a claim from unfair fault allegations is one of the most critical things we do for every client we represent. We will pursue every avenue available to present your case as clearly and effectively as possible.
Contact Charles E. Boyk Law Offices today for a free consultation if you suffered an injury on someone else’s property.
Damages and Deadlines in a Premises Liability Claim
If you sustained damages and injuries on someone else’s property, state law may allow you to seek compensation for both the economic and personal consequences of your injury. Medical expenses are often the most immediate concern, covering emergency room treatment, surgeries, follow-up care, and physical therapy. Beyond those direct costs, you can also pursue compensation for lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries have affected your ability to work.
Economic damages can also extend to assistive devices such as wheelchairs or orthopedic braces, prescription medications, and transportation to and from medical appointments. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior occupation, our team can work with vocational professionals to document the full scope of your lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are also a significant part of most premises liability claims. These include compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. O.R.C. § 2315.18 places limits on non-economic damages in many personal injury cases, with certain exceptions for serious or permanent injuries. Time is a critical factor. O.R.C. § 2305.10 generally sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, typically starting from the date of injury. Waiting too long to pursue legal action can permanently eliminate your right to any recovery, regardless of how strong your case is. The sooner you contact our Sandusky attorneys, the sooner we can preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and build the strongest possible foundation for your premises liability case.
Contact a Sandusky Attorney for Help With Your Premises Liability Claim
You should not have to manage the financial and emotional effects of an injury on your own. At Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, we will work hard to make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your damages and injuries. We are proud to serve our community, and we will support you at every stage of the legal process.
Do not let the tactics of insurance companies affect your right to seek compensation. If a property owner’s negligence harmed you or someone you love, a Sandusky premises liability lawyer can explain your legal options. Our consultations are always free and confidential, and with our No Fee Promise, you will not owe us anything unless we win. Call or contact us online today to discuss your claim.
