Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail in that responsibility, serious injuries can result. Premises liability cases in Milwaukee encompass everything from slip and fall accidents to inadequate security.
When you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, the Milwaukee personal injury lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. will fight for your rights. We have the courtroom experience and resources to take on property owners, corporations, and their insurers.
Don’t let a property owner’s negligence derail your life. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Types of Premises Liability Lawsuits
Property-related injuries happen more often than you might think, and they take many different forms.
Common premises liability cases include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting
- Inadequate security leading to assaults, robberies, or other criminal acts
- Swimming pool accidents involving drowning or diving injuries
- Negligent maintenance, such as broken stairs, faulty railings, or structural defects
- Toxic exposure to harmful chemicals or substances on the property
Steps to Take After an Injury
What you do immediately following a premises liability injury can impact your ability to recover compensation.
If you were hurt on someone’s Milwaukee property, here are the critical steps to take:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request written documentation.
- Document everything by taking photos of the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Collect witness information from anyone who saw what happened.
- Preserve evidence like the clothing or shoes you were wearing.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
- Speak to a Milwaukee premises liability attorney right away.
Wisconsin Premises Liability Laws
Milwaukee property owners have an obligation to keep their properties safe, and the level of responsibility depends on the status of the person who enters.
Wisconsin recognizes three categories of visitors, each with different levels of protection:
- Invitees—such as customers in stores—receive the highest duty of care. Property owners must regularly inspect for hazards and either fix dangerous conditions or provide adequate warnings.
- Licensees, including social guests, are owed a duty to warn about known dangers that aren’t obvious.
- Trespassers generally receive the lowest protection, though property owners still cannot willfully cause them harm.
What Compensation Can You Recover with the Help of a Milwaukee Premises Liability Lawyer?
When you’ve been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your tangible financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages address the intangible impact of your injury: your physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement or disability.
Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Wisconsin
To prove a premises liability case, you will need to establish four elements of negligence:
- Duty: The property owner owed you a legal duty of care based on your status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
- Breach: The owner failed to meet that duty through action or inaction.
- Causation: The owner’s breach directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered harm resulting in financial losses or other damages.
Get in Touch with a Premises Liability Attorney in Milwaukee
Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions for visitors, and when they fail in this duty, serious injuries often follow.
Cannon & Dunphy S.C. will help you hold them accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (262) 239-4124 to discuss your case with a Milwaukee premises liability lawyer.