Shreveport Premises Liability Lawyer

Top Rated Trusted Premises Liability Attorney in Shreveport, LA

Accidents can happen anywhere, but when “anywhere” is someone’s property, you may have grounds to open a premises liability case and recover damages for your losses. Louisiana’s premises liability laws exist to protect injured parties in these situations. A Shreveport premises liability lawyer can help you find the right path to recovery after a serious accident.

Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates has been navigating complex injury claims throughout northwest Louisiana for decades. From negotiating with company insurance providers to navigating litigation through a Louisiana District Court near you, you can count on a Louisiana personal injury lawyer from our team to be there to see you through your case. We also represent clients injured in slip and fall accidents, helping them pursue the compensation they deserve after injuries caused by unsafe property conditions.

Navigating Louisiana Premises Liability Laws

There are countless ways to injure yourself at home, at work, or on the go. Every year, approximately 450,000 Louisianans visit emergency rooms and another 22,000 are hospitalized for injuries. Moreover, it’s estimated that injuries result in more than 5,000 fatalities in Louisiana each year.

Falls have consistently been among the leading causes of both fatal and non-fatal injury across the state, which are also a common reason behind premises liability claims. Other frequent causes of premises liability claims that our Shreveport premises liability attorneys have seen include:

• Animal attacks
• Debris or obstacles
• Falling objects
• Icy conditions around the property
• Lack of proper safety measures
• Poorly lit areas
• Negligent security
• Uneven flooring
• Wet or slippery areas

It’s not enough simply to sustain an injury on someone’s property to be able to recover damages for your losses. It’s on you to be able to prove there was a breach in duty of care and that it led to your injuries. Under Louisiana law, property owners owe a duty to all those on their premises to exercise reasonable care to keep the property safe and free of any hazards.

Property owners only have a duty of care over certain visitors on their property. Louisiana law classifies these visitors as invitees, licensees, and trespassers.

Property owners do have a duty of care to protect invitees and licensees on their property. This includes customers, clients, social guests, and anyone else entering the store for their own benefit or that of the property owner.

Trespassers, on the other hand, are not promised the same duty of care. This refers to anyone on the property without permission.

That said, in the event the property owner is aware of the trespasser’s presence, they may still have a duty to avoid intentionally harming them. It’s important to understand all these nuances if you’re filing a premises liability claim in Shreveport.

Louisiana’s premises liability laws can be difficult to navigate, especially as you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Matters can become even more complicated if the at-fault party denies liability. A Shreveport premises liability lawyer can work with you to submit all the necessary documentation to prove fault and recover fair compensation.

Opening a Premises Liability Case in Shreveport

If you have grounds to file an injury claim, it’s wise to start the process as soon as possible. The burden of proof is on the injured party to establish a breach of duty of care and prove that the breach caused harm and directly led to your injuries. This requires establishing that the liable party knew or reasonably could have known about the hazard and failed to take the appropriate steps to fix it.

There are many helpful types of evidence to gather to support a premises liability claim, including:

• Building maintenance records
• Detailed notes
• Internal incident reports
• Medical records
• Photos and videos
• Police reports
• Security footage of the incident

You still have a right to compensation even if you’re found partially responsible for the incident. Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault system, which allows injured parties to file personal injury claims as long as they’re not the majority party at fault. That said, you can expect any percentage of fault to reduce the total compensation you can recover.

Many premises liability claims settle out of court through direct negotiations with the at-fault party and their insurance provider. Negotiations can take time. It’s wise to be prepared to advocate for yourself in order to secure a fair settlement.

This might include countering initial offers and making it through several rounds of negotiations. A Shreveport premises liability attorney can support you and help you recover full compensation.

If negotiations and other resolution methods outside the courtroom fail, you can expect to enter litigation. In the event a premises liability case in Shreveport does go to court, the case is typically handled through the Shreveport City Court or the 1st Judicial Parish Court in Caddo Parish.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability incidents can lead to a number of serious, even fatal, injuries. Common types of injuries in premises liability cases can include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

It’s important to understand the full scope of your injuries and other losses in order to recover the appropriate damages. It’s recommended that you hire a premises liability lawyer to support you.

How a Trusted Shreveport Premises Liability Lawyer Can Support Your Recovery

Navigating a premises liability case can be complicated, but the right legal representation can make all the difference. When you hire a premises liability lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours, you can rest assured you’re avoiding common mistakes that could cost you your settlement.

Backed by over 75 years of combined experience, Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates understands how to navigate Louisiana personal injury laws and advocate for our clients in need. Founding attorney Jacqueline Scott has over three and a half decades of experience alone.

Over the years, our team has successfully secured $500,000,000+ through settlements and court judgments.* We’re comfortable negotiating with insurance providers and handling litigation in the courtroom, too. No matter how far matters escalate, we’ve got your back.

FAQs

Who Can Be Liable in a Shreveport Premises Liability Case?

Who can be liable in a Shreveport premises liability case depends on the details of the situation. Under Louisiana law, liability for dangerous property conditions can fall on more than one party. Potential at-fault parties in a premises liability case can include:

• Government entities
• Maintenance contractors
• Property management companies
• Property owners
• Security contractors
• Tenants

It’s important to understand who is at fault in a premises liability case in order to recover fair compensation from the appropriate parties.

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Claim After an Accident in Shreveport?

How long you have to file a premises liability claim after an accident in Shreveport is typically two years from the date of the incident. In the event the victim dies, the statute of limitations for opening a wrongful death case is different.

Even though you have time, it’s wise to start your claim as soon as possible. A Shreveport personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and recovery options under Louisiana law.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Premises Liability Case in Shreveport?

The damages recoverable in a premises liability case in Shreveport include economic and non-economic damages based on the nature and scope of the victim’s losses. Economic damages cover direct financial costs while non-economic damages cover abstract losses.

In most cases, damages are not capped in a premises liability case. However, you can expect to face a $500,000 limit on non-economic damages if you’re filing against a government entity.

What Happens if the Victim in a Shreveport Premises Liability Case Dies?

What happens if the victim in a Shreveport premises liability case dies ultimately is up to their surviving family. You can hold the responsible party accountable for their actions by opening a wrongful death case against them.

Under Louisiana law, you can file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for your own losses. You can also file a survival action to secure compensation on behalf of the deceased victim, including their pain and suffering.

Hire an Honest Premises Liability Lawyer in Shreveport to Discuss Your Rights and Recovery Options

A Shreveport premises liability attorney can help you gather the right evidence to support your claim and advocate for you through every stage of the claims process.

Injured parties throughout Caddo Parish and beyond have trusted the experienced attorneys at Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates to handle their recoveries for decades. When you choose us, you’re choosing a local firm trusted by the:

• American Bar Association
• American Institute of Legal Advocates
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• National Bar Association
• Shreveport Bar Association**

If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, we’re here to listen. Contact an office near you to set up an initial meeting with a member of our team today. We’re located right here in Shreveport on Pierremont Road near the I-20 and I-49 intersection. We also have another location nearby in Bossier City.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

**Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.