Were you injured in a slip-and-fall or another accident on someone else’s property in Houston, TX? Property owners have an obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe for certain visitors. Call Omar Khawja Personal Injury Lawyers at (281) 888-2339 for a free consultation with a Houston premises liability lawyer.
Our legal team has over 100 years of combined legal experience in personal injury cases. Our firm has recovered over $100 million for injury victims across Texas, and we are committed to holding negligent property owners, landlords, and corporations fully accountable.
Why Choose Omar Khawja Personal Injury Lawyers to Help With My Premises Liability Case in Houston, Texas?
Premises liability claims in Houston, Texas, are challenging. Property owners and insurance companies routinely deny responsibility and argue that hazards were “open and obvious.” They may also attempt to blame you for your accident. You deserve an experienced Houston premises liability attorney who can prove your side of the story and get justice.
When you work with Omar Khawja Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll get:
- A legal team with over a century of combined experience
- A firm with 600+ five-star reviews on Google
- Lawyers who are fluent in English, Arabic, Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Hindi, and Urdu
- Personalized case strategies and responsive communication from your attorney
Contact our office today to speak with a Houston personal injury attorney about your legal options. We are here to help you get answers and compensation.
Overview of Premises Liability Law in Texas
Under Texas law, property owners and occupiers owe a duty of care to people who lawfully enter their premises. The exact level of care required depends on the visitor’s legal classification at the time of the accident.
Invitees
Invitees are individuals who enter a property for the owner’s financial benefit or for business purposes. This category receives the highest level of legal protection.
Property owners must:
- Regularly inspect their property for dangerous conditions
- Repair hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Warn visitors of known dangers that are not immediately obvious
Business owners must actively identify safety risks and address them before someone gets hurt.
Licensees
Licensees are social guests who enter property with permission but not for business purposes. Owners must warn licensees about dangerous conditions they are aware of, but are generally not required to actively search for hidden hazards.
Trespassers
Trespassers enter the property without permission. Property owners typically only owe them a duty to avoid intentionally causing harm.
However, under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners may be liable if a hazardous condition (e.g., swimming pool, abandoned equipment, etc.) attracts and injures a child.
What Is My Houston Premises Liability Case Worth?
Every premises liability claim is unique. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries and how significantly your life has been affected by the accident.
When evaluating your claim, we will carefully examine:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced ability to work
- The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- Whether your daily activities and independence have changed
- Whether you are alleged to share any responsibility
- Available insurance coverage
There is no fixed settlement amount for premises liability cases. Minor injuries that resolve quickly tend to result in smaller claims, while severe injuries can lead to substantial compensation.
Our firm will conduct a detailed calculation of your damages and work with medical and financial professionals (when necessary) to assess the full scope of your losses before demanding compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Texas Premises Liability Case?
If you were injured because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions, Texas law allows you to seek compensatory damages for both financial and personal losses.
Your economic damages may include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible impact of the accident, such as:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available. These damages punish the property owner for extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct. However, they are not common.
We can help you track and identify all your losses in your case. Our goal is to leave nothing on the table and ensure you receive the money you need to be made whole.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer?
In most premises liability cases, you do not have to pay an hourly rate to hire a lawyer. Instead, many premises liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney only gets paid if they recover compensation for you through a settlement or court award.
The fee is typically a percentage of the recovery, and the exact percentage can vary depending on the case’s complexity and whether a lawsuit is necessary.
What if I’m Being Blamed for a Premises Liability Accident in Houston?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, you may still recover compensation if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $160,000. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover damages.
Property owners and insurers frequently attempt to shift blame to injured visitors. If they can shift some blame, they pay less. If they can shift most of the blame, they pay nothing. Our attorneys will challenge unsupported allegations of blame and seek to protect your right to full compensation.
What Are Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries in Houston?
Premises liability accidents occur in many everyday locations throughout Houston, including grocery stores, businesses, and private residences.
Some of the most common hazardous conditions involved in these claims include:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors
- Spills in aisles or walkways
- Uneven pavement or broken sidewalks
- Loose floorboards
- Poor lighting
- Missing or broken handrails
- Unsafe staircases
- Falling merchandise
- Ice or rainwater tracked indoors
- Inadequate security
- Dog bites on the property
In many cases, a premises liability accident may have multiple causes. When property owners fail to address these dangers in a timely manner, serious injuries often follow. If reasonable steps could have prevented the accident, the owner or operator may be legally responsible for your injuries.
We’ll Fight for Compensation for All Your Injuries After a Premises Liability Incident
Property-related accidents can cause serious harm. Many victims suffer injuries that require long-term care or permanent lifestyle changes.
Our Houston premises liability attorneys regularly represent clients who have sustained:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Hip fractures
- Facial trauma
- Severe cuts and deep lacerations
- Wrongful death
These injuries can create long-term financial hardship. We work closely with medical providers and specialists to fully document how an injury affects your life.
Proving Negligence in a Texas Premises Liability Claim
To recover compensation, an injured person must prove that the property owner or occupier acted negligently.
This typically requires showing:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care based on your visitor status.
- A dangerous condition existed on the property.
- The owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
- The owner failed to repair the hazard or provide adequate warning.
- The dangerous condition directly caused your injuries.
- You suffered measurable damages as a result.
Our legal team will conduct an in-depth investigation to determine how long the hazard existed and whether employees followed safety procedures before the incident. Our goal is to show that the property owner failed to fulfill their duty, and that you were injured as a result.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. Claims involving government-owned property may require formal notice within a much shorter timeframe, sometimes as little as six months.
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation in court. For that reason, it is important to speak with a Houston premises liability lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Your attorney will help you comply with all filing deadlines.
Contact Our Houston Premises Liability Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If unsafe conditions on someone else’s property caused your injury, you deserve accountability and fair compensation. Omar Khawja Personal Injury Lawyers is prepared to stand up for you and seek the money you need to rebuild your life.
With more than 100 years of combined experience and over $100 million recovered for injured Texans, our firm is the team you want on your side when the stakes are high. Let us handle the legal burden while you focus on healing.
Reach out to our office today to schedule your free consultation with a Houston premises liability attorney. We will charge no fees unless we win your case.