Albuquerque Premises Liability Attorney
When a landowner is negligent in the care and maintenance of his/her property, and someone else suffers an injury because of it, the victim may have grounds to file a premises liability claim. New Mexico premises liability law holds negligent property owners responsible for accidents in certain circumstances.
If you or a family member sustained an injury on someone else’s property in Albuquerque, contact the Albuquerque personal injury attorneys at The Fine Law Firm. Our lawyers have experience handling premises liability claims against big box stores, the government, and private property owners. We can review your case and explain your rights during a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
The Fine Law Firm is a reputable law office with recognition from the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers, and Albuquerque the Magazine. Clients come to our law firm for many reasons.
- We have the respect of the legal community and a proven track record.
- We offer unmatched levels of legal representation in New Mexico.
- We ensure a strong attention to detail and close relationships with clients.
A lawyer from our firm can walk you through every step of the legal process in your premises liability case. We can review the negligence of the property owner, explain your legal opportunities, and help you file a claim, if applicable.
Why Do You Need a Premise Liability Lawyer?
A property owner’s insurance company is difficult to go up against without a lawyer. Insurance companies often engage in a variety of tactics to avoid claim payout. These may include denying legitimate premises liability claims or offering extremely low settlements. Hiring a lawyer tells the insurance company you won’t let it take advantage of you. One of our lawyers has the experience to go head to head with a major insurance corporation on your behalf.
What Is Premises Liability?
New Mexico premises liability laws place duties of care on people who own land, homes or properties. A duty of care is a legal obligation to act a certain way toward others or fulfill certain standards in terms of safety. Duties of care among property owners include the duty to inspect for hazards, repair issues and post warning signs regarding remaining risks. If a property owner breaches any duties of care, leading to a dangerous premises, he or she may be liable for a visitor’s injuries.
Examples of Premises Liability Cases
A premises liability case can arise out of any situation in which a negligent or careless property owner fails to repair a hazard, and this hazard causes a visitor injury. A common example is a slip and fall case. If you slip on a spilled liquid in the grocery store, and you can prove that an employee reasonably should have cleaned the spill before your accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Other examples include:
- Swimming pool accident
- Dog bite
- Staircase accident
- Elevator/escalator accident
- Criminal attack
- Daycare or school accident
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Parking lot accidents
- Fires/floods
Contact our firm after an accident or injury on someone else’s property. You may have the elements of a premises liability lawsuit, where you could receive payment for your damages. We’ve handled numerous premises liability claims in New Mexico and can help you explore your rights.
Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases
At the Fine Law Firm, our attorneys represent clients with all types of injuries. We have the ability to take on catastrophic injury claims and cases involving permanent disabilities. We can also help clients bring wrongful death suits against negligent property owners in Albuquerque. If you have any type of personal injury after a premises liability accident in New Mexico, contact us for a free evaluation.
- Pulled muscles
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Cuts and scrapes
- Bone fractures
- Contusions
- Head and brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
Our lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your claim, from setting you up with the right doctors and specialists to aggressively representing your best interests in a premises liability trial. We can gather your medical documents, help you prove the extent of your injuries and demand fair compensation from the correct defendant(s) on your behalf. The identity of the defendant will depend on the circumstances of your accident.
Who Is Liable?
Property owners are liable for most premises liability accidents. They are the party most responsible for maintaining the safety of a property. However, some cases involve the negligence of third parties, such as product manufacturers or employers. Other cases involve landlords or property managers. In a case involving a landlord, he or she could be liable for your apartment injuries if he or she reasonably should have known about the hazard that injured you. If the landlord ignored your complaints about a leaky pipe, for example, he or she could be liable if the pipe bursts and causes a slip and fall accident.
The party most responsible for causing your injuries will be the one you name as a defendant. You can also have more than one defendant depending on the situation. Cases involving multiple defendants in New Mexico will use the doctrine of joint and several liability. Each defendant will be liable for his or her portion of fault for the plaintiff’s accident. Identifying multiple defendants could increase your chances of recovering full compensation for your damages.
What Damages Can I Recover?
The financial compensation you receive from an at-fault party can be critical to your recovery. You could obtain the money you need to pay off medical debts, afford treatments, replace destroyed property, repay your legal fees and enjoy financial stability in the future. Holding a negligent property owner accountable could also lead to a safer premises in the future – potentially preventing accidents and injuries to others in the community.
A successful premises liability case can result in payment for your medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The exact value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and extent of your losses. A consultation with one of our Albuquerque premise liability attorneys can help you determine the worth of your case.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident
If a dangerous property element injures you, keep calm and try to gather information, if possible. Use your cellphone to take photographs of the dangerous property element, your injuries and other relevant details. Report the accident to the owner of the property or someone in charge, such as a supervisor at a store. Request an ambulance if your injuries are serious. Keep track of your medical treatments, records and bills. Do not admit fault for your property-related accident to anyone.
Before you call the property owner’s insurance company to file an injury claim, contact an attorney for a free case review. The lawyers at the Fine Law Firm can walk you through your case, including a comprehensive initial evaluation where we can tell you if you have grounds for a lawsuit. Our lawyers can also help you protect your rights when discussing your claim with an insurance adjuster. We will not allow an adjuster to take advantage of you during your claim. Contacting a premises liability lawyer right away can help you take the correct steps toward a successful resolution.
Contact Us Today
If you suffer an injury due to a defect on someone else’s property (including public property), contact us. Our experienced Albuquerque accident lawyers may be able to guide you through the steps toward financial compensation. Serious accident injuries require legal attention. If you think you have a case against a negligent property owner in Albuquerque, contact us for a free consultation.