Richmond Premises Liability Lawyer

You don’t expect to get injured when visiting a store, attending an event, or walking through a public space. Unfortunately, it happens more often than people realize. Hazards like loose handrails, slippery floors, and missing signage can turn everyday errands into emergencies. And when those dangers exist because a property owner failed to inspect or address them in a reasonable manner, the law provides a way forward.

Virginia’s premises liability laws protect people who are hurt because of hazardous property conditions. If you were injured in Richmond due to someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to recover compensation for your losses. 

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, our team has decades of litigation experience, and we use that insight to hold negligent property owners accountable. If you’re looking for a Richmond premises liability lawyer who can build strong cases, we’re here to help.

Many personal injury firms back down from premises liability cases, because the law sets a high bar for proving negligence against a property owner or business.  Many people think property owners and business operators are automatically liable for accidents and injuries that occur on their property, but that is not the case.  You need an experienced legal team that knows how to win these types of cases and is not going to shy away from taking your case.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible when someone is injured due to unsafe or defective conditions on their property. These cases fall under Virginia’s personal injury laws.

To bring a successful premises liability claim, you must show that the property owner or business:

• Duty of care. The property owner or business owed you a legal duty to keep the premises reasonably safe. This duty varies depending on your legal status on the property, whether you were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
• Notice.  You must show that the property owner or business either knew or should have known about the defective condition and failed to either fix the condition or provide reasonable notice of the danger.
• Breach of duty. You must show that the property owner or business failed to meet their duty, such as failing to fix a known hazard, not performing reasonable inspections where they would have found a hazard, or failing to warn visitors about a danger they knew or should have known about.
• Causation. You must prove that the hazardous condition on the property directly caused your injuries.  
• Damages. Lastly, you must show that you suffered measurable harm from the accident. This includes physical injuries, emotional distress, medical bills, lost income, and other losses related to the incident. 

An experienced Virginia premises liability lawyer will gather the evidence to support these claims.

What Is the Difference Between a Licensee, an Invitee, and a Trespasser Under Virginia Law?

In premises liability cases, a property owner’s legal responsibility depends on the injured person’s status. Virginia law divides visitors into the following three categories.

Invitees

This group consists of individuals invited onto the property for a business purpose, such as customers in a store or clients in an office. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. They must regularly inspect the premises and either fix or warn about any hazards that a reasonable inspection would uncover.

Licensees

This group consists of social guests or others who enter the property with permission but for their own benefit. The owner must warn licensees about known dangers but is not required to actively inspect the property for unknown hazards.

Trespassers

These are individuals who enter without permission. Property owners generally owe no duty to trespassers other than to avoid intentionally causing them harm. They are not required to inspect the property for dangers or take steps to make it safe for someone who is unlawfully present. 

What Are Common Types of Premises Liability Cases?

Premises liability cases can arise in nearly any setting, from grocery stores and apartment buildings to parking lots and private homes. Our firm handles a wide range of premises liability claims in Richmond, including cases involving:

• Slip and fall accidents. These happen when a person loses their footing due to slippery surfaces like wet floors or icy sidewalks that have not been adequately addressed.  
• Trip and fall accidents.  These occur from hazards such as uneven walking surfaces, gaps in surfaces, improperly marked curbs or lips, potholes, extension cords, bunched up rugs, or other tripping hazards.
• Falling object injuries. These cases involve improperly secured merchandise, construction materials, or equipment that falls and injures a visitor.  
• Inadequate maintenance. Failing to maintain basic building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, plumbing, or fire safety, can create hazards that lead to injury or property damage.
• Swimming pool accidents. Injuries around pools often result from a lack of proper barriers, malfunctioning gates, slippery surfaces, or failure to provide warnings or supervision.  
• Elevator or escalator malfunctions. Poor maintenance, mechanical defects, or failure to inspect these systems can result in serious entrapments, falls, or sudden stops that cause injury.  
• Structural defects. Crumbling staircases, collapsing balconies, or unstable flooring may point to long-term neglect or code violations that put occupants and visitors at risk.

These accidents are fact-specific, and success depends on carefully reviewing what caused the hazard, how long it existed, and whether the property owner acted reasonably in addressing it.

A Virginia premises liability lawyer from our team can help investigate your situation, identify responsible parties, and develop a strategy to help recover the compensation you deserve.

How Long Do You Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Virginia?

In Virginia, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline, your claim could be permanently dismissed. Speaking with a Richmond premises liability attorney as soon as possible helps ensure you don’t miss critical filing windows.

Talk to a Virginia Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If you were hurt on someone else’s property in Richmond, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the legal system can feel overwhelming, especially when facing injuries, time off work, and uncertainty about the future.  

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we bring decades of litigation experience to every case. Before representing injured individuals, our attorneys spent over 25 years defending large insurance companies in complex personal injury and premises liability claims. That experience gives us an edge because now we use that insight to stand up for people who’ve been hurt by negligence.

We offer free consultations so you can learn about your options with no obligation. You deserve legal support without added financial stress.

Reach out today to speak with a Richmond premises liability lawyer at Merrick Brock. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight for the justice you deserve.