In North Carolina, premises liability laws outline the legal responsibilities of property owners to ensure the safety of visitors. These laws are vital for anyone who has suffered an injury on someone else's property in Concord. Understanding North Carolina’s premises liability laws can help you protect your rights and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve assembled a dedicated team of Concord premises liability lawyers who have extensive experience handling slip and falls and other property-related injury cases. We understand the challenges confronting your family after experiencing a serious injury and want to make the recovery process as smooth as possible, so you can get back to living your life.
What Are a Property Owner’s Responsibilities in North Carolina?Property owners and occupiers have a duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This includes taking necessary precautions to prevent foreseeable injuries, such as fixing broken stairs, clearing ice or snow, and providing adequate lighting. However, the extent of a property owner’s duty depends, in part, on the reason why another person is on their property.
In North Carolina, visitors are classified into three categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees: People invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers.
Licensees: Social guests or those on the property for non-business reasons.
Trespassers: Those on the property without permission.
North Carolina law requires property owners to exercise “reasonable care” to protect any lawful visitor from injury—this includes both invitees and licensees. However, as a general rule, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers, except that a property owner cannot intentionally do anything to injure a trespasser.
Types of Concord Premises Liability CasesWhile slip and fall accidents are perhaps the largest category of premises liability cases, there are other types, as well, which include:
North Carolina follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, meaning if you are found to be even slightly at fault for your injury, you may be barred from recovering any damages. This makes having the assistance of an experienced Concord premises liability attorney crucial for anyone seeking compensation. For example, an attorney may be able to present a compelling case as to why your injuries were not caused in any part by your own negligence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Concord, NC?Under the applicable statute of limitations, victims of premises liability injuries in North Carolina must file a lawsuit within three years from the date of the injury. Failing to do so may result in losing the right to pursue legal action. Generally speaking, it is best to contact a Concord premises liability attorney as soon as possible to ensure your lawyer is able to obtain the evidence that will be necessary to prove your claim.
The Dedicated Concord Premises Liability Attorneys at the Olsinski Law Firm Are Here for YourNavigating premises liability laws can be complex. If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else's property in Concord, seeking the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney is essential. The Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, is dedicated to helping you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations to all accident victims, and if you decide to bring a case with us, we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Concord personal injury lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach our Cabarrus County injury attorneys at 704-918-4747. We represent clients in Concord and Kannapolis, as well as in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, and Union Counties.