Cleveland Premises Liability Lawyer

If you were injured on someone else’s property—whether at a business, apartment complex, parking lot, or private home—you may be entitled to compensation. Property owners in Ohio have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe. When they fail to do so, serious injuries can occur, leaving victims with medical bills, lost income, and long-term pain.

At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured victims throughout Cleveland, OH. We can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (216) 600-0114today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions on their property. When hazardous conditions exist—and someone gets hurt as a result—the property owner may be legally liable.

These cases involve injuries stemming from unsafe or defective conditions such as slippery floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, or inadequate security. Premises liability applies to:

• Homeowners
• Landlords and property managers
• Retail stores and shopping centers
• Restaurants and bars
• Hotels
• Parking lot owners
• Public and private building owners

The key issue is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take reasonable steps to fix it, block it off, or warn visitors.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability covers a wide range of accident types. Some of the most common cases we handle include:

• Slip and Fall Accidents: Caused by hazards such as wet floors, ice or snow, loose flooring, spills, or uneven walking surfaces.
• Trip and Fall Accidents: Often occur due to broken sidewalks, torn carpeting, cluttered walkways, or missing handrails.
• Negligent Security: When inadequate lighting, broken locks, or a lack of security personnel lead to assault, robbery, or other criminal activity.
• Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: Ohio law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets in most situations.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Including drownings, chemical exposure, or injuries caused by defective safety equipment.
• Defective or Unsafe Property Conditions: Examples include collapsing decks, falling objects, unsafe elevators or escalators, and structural failures.
• Fire and Smoke Injuries: Often caused by code violations, faulty wiring, or the absence of smoke detectors.

If you or a loved one was harmed in any of these situations, our Cleveland premises liability lawyer can help determine whether negligence occurred and what compensation may be available.

Ohio Premises Liability Laws

Ohio premises liability law is based on the legal status of the person visiting the property. Visitors fall into three main categories:

Invitees

People invited onto the property for business purposes (customers, tenants, maintenance workers). Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees—they must inspect the property, fix hazards, and warn of known dangers.

Licensees

Social guests or people with permission to be on the property but not for business purposes. Owners must warn licensees of known dangers but do not have to inspect the property for hazards.

Trespassers

People who enter without permission. Owners generally owe no duty of care except in cases involving children or when the owner intentionally creates harm.

When is an Ohio Property Owner Liable for Injuries on Their Property?

To hold a property owner liable, the injured person must show that:

1. A dangerous condition existed on the property.
2. The owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
3. The owner failed to fix the danger, warn visitors, or take reasonable precautions.
4. The dangerous condition caused your injuries.

Examples of property owner negligence include:

• Failure to clean up spills in a timely manner
• Not applying salt or clearing ice during winter
• Ignoring broken handrails or damaged stairs
• Failing to replace burnt-out lights in parking lots
• Not repairing known structural defects
• Lack of security in high-risk areas

A skilled attorney can investigate the incident, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and build a strong case for liability.

Compensation for Injured Guests or Patrons

Premises liability injuries can be costly and life-altering. If the property owner was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills (current and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Property damage
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one died due to unsafe premises)

Do not accept an insurance settlement without speaking to a lawyer first. Insurers often try to minimize injuries or shift blame to avoid paying full compensation.

Premises Liability Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Ohio?

Ohio’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline may bar you from recovering compensation.

What if I was partially at fault?

Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Do I need a lawyer for a premises liability claim?

While not required, having a Cleveland premises liability lawyer greatly increases your chances of proving liability and securing a fair settlement.

What evidence is important in these cases?

Key evidence includes photos, surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, maintenance records, and medical documentation.

Can I sue a government entity for unsafe property conditions?

Yes, but special rules and deadlines apply. Claims against government property require swift legal action.

Evaluating Your Premises Liability Claim in Cleveland

How do you know whether you have a legitimate claim for damages if you are injured in a retail store, mall, bar, or public or private property?

Here are a few questions we can consider and investigate:

• Was the property owner aware of the potential hazard, but failed to do anything about it?
• Was the building or parking area inherently dangerous from the moment it was constructed, yet the property owner failed to make upgrades or secure the public from danger?

Sometimes a property owner fails to maintain adequate security, exposing you or loved ones to dangerous people or conditions. Because we are selective in the slip-and-fall injury cases we file, insurance companies know that every case we bring has merit and the evidence will be clearly in our client’s favor. Preparing every case to win in court translates into more serious proposals for full and fair settlements during negotiations. Our legal team has an excellent record of significant settlements and jury awards on behalf of our clients.

Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP at (216) 600-0114for a Free Premises Liability Case Evaluation.