By law, North Dakota property and landowners are required to maintain their premises and keep them reasonably clear of dangerous conditions. When they fail to do this, visitors can suffer serious injuries and, in the worst case, fatalities. If you were injured on public or private property, you could have grounds for a claim against the negligent property owner, manager, or another liable party. We encourage you to reach out to our North Dakota premises liability lawyers at Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. to learn more, including how our team can protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.
Put a team with over 100 years of experience on your side. Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. at (855) 245-5100 for a free consultation today.
Understanding Premises Liability Law
Public and private property owners alike are responsible for adequately removing, repairing, or warning visitors of any hazards that pose a foreseeable risk of injury to others.
If you were injured while on someone else’s property, you may have grounds for a premises liability case if you can prove all the following elements:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care, meaning you were lawfully on the premises as either a licensee or invitee (“lawful entrant”)
- You were injured while lawfully on the property due to a dangerous condition or foreseeable hazard that existed on the premises
- The dangerous condition was not “open and obvious,” meaning it was not so obvious that you could have taken reasonable measures to avoid it
- The property owner knew about or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition or hazard
- The property owner breached the duty of care by neglecting to remove, repair, or warn potential visitors of the dangerous condition or hazard
- You suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses, future care costs, lost income/wages, and pain and suffering
Generally speaking, North Dakota landowners do not owe a duty of care to unlawful entrants (trespassers). However, they are prohibited from causing willful or wanton injury to trespassers and could be liable in attractive nuisance cases involving unlawful entrants who are minors.
Examples of Dangerous Property Conditions
Property owners can be held legally liable when they know about dangerous conditions that exist on their properties yet fail to take adequate steps to repair, remove, or warn others about those conditions. But what exactly are “dangerous property conditions?”
Some of the most common examples of dangerous property conditions and hazards include:
- Accumulated ice or snow
- Spilled liquids
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven flooring
- Torn or ripped carpeting
- Spills and fallen merchandise
- Defective sidewalks
- Cluttered walkways and aisles
- Unrestrained dogs and other animals
- Inadequate signage
- Poor lighting
- Unsafe swimming pools
- Lack of or improper security
- Improper maintenance
- Potholes
- Exposed electrical wiring
- Defective appliances
- Hazardous gases, chemicals, and other substances
These and other unsafe conditions pose a serious risk to visitors and often lead to devastating accidents, injuries, and deaths.
Types of Premises Liability Cases
There are several different types of cases that fall under premises liability law.
Some of the most common include:
- Slip and falls
- Dog bites/attacks
- Negligent security, leading to assault/criminal activity
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Defective property conditions
- Accumulated ice/snow
- Inadequate property maintenance
- Claims against government/municipal entities
- Theme park accidents
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., we have a long history of successfully represented victims of all types of property-related accidents. Our North Dakota premises liability lawyers have earned a reputation for providing caring, client-focused representation, as well as aggressive legal advocacy both in and out of the courtroom. If you were injured on public or private property, and you believe the property owner’s negligence is to blame, reach out to our firm right away to schedule a free consultation.
Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. Today for Help with Your Case
With offices located in Minot and Grand Forks, our firm proudly represents clients in complex personal injury litigation throughout North Dakota. We have been committed to helping individuals and families in our community since 1909, fighting to protect ordinary people’s rights against the interests of large corporations, insurance companies, and government agencies. As your legal team, we will do everything we can to secure the maximum compensation you are owed.
There is absolutely no risk in contacting Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. and speaking to one of our North Dakota premises liability lawyers about your potential case. We offer complimentary case evaluations and contingency fees, meaning you owe nothing unless/until we secure a settlement or verdict for you.
Contact us online or by phone at (855) 245-5100 today to get started with your free consultation.
