Houston Premises
Liability Lawyer
What you need to do if you are involve in a personal injury accident?
Injured on Someone Else’s Property in Houston?
Property owners and businesses have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they fail to repair a dangerous condition, provide adequate security, or warn visitors about a known hazard, innocent people can suffer serious injuries.
If you were hurt at a store, apartment complex, restaurant, hotel, office, parking lot, or another property, Roxell Richards Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Premises accidents are not always minor. Falls alone accounted for approximately 35% of preventable nonfatal emergency department injuries in 2023, making them the leading cause of preventable injury-related emergency visits.
You should not have to bear the financial consequences of a dangerous condition that a responsible property owner should have addressed.
Why Choose Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm?
Roxell Richards Law Firm represents individuals and families injured because of negligence, dangerous conditions, and preventable safety failures.
Free Case Evaluation
You can discuss your accident, injuries, and available legal options without paying an upfront consultation fee.
No Attorney’s Fees Unless We Win
Premises liability cases are generally handled on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered for you.
Detailed Property Investigations
The legal team examines how the property was operated, maintained, inspected, and repaired before the accident.
Strong Insurance Negotiations
Property insurers may claim that the hazard was obvious, temporary, or caused by the injured person. Roxell Richards Law Firm works to challenge unsupported defenses and unfair settlement offers.
Trial-Ready Representation
Every case is prepared with litigation in mind. Thorough preparation can strengthen negotiations and ensure the claim is ready if court action becomes necessary.
Personalized Legal Support
Clients receive clear communication, regular updates, and guidance throughout the claims process.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm has represented injury victims for approximately 20 years and handles complex personal injury and civil litigation cases from its Houston headquarters.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is an area of personal injury law involving accidents caused by unsafe or improperly maintained property conditions.
A property owner, tenant, management company, contractor, or business may be held responsible when it knew—or reasonably should have known—about a dangerous condition but failed to correct it or provide an adequate warning.
Examples of premises liability hazards include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Uneven sidewalks
- Poor lighting
- Falling merchandise
- Exposed electrical wiring
- Unsecured swimming pools
- Defective elevators or escalators
- Inadequate security
- Dangerous animals
- Missing warning signs
- Fire and building code violations
- Poorly maintained parking lots
- Debris in walking areas
The presence of an injury alone does not automatically establish liability. The injured person generally must show that an unsafe condition existed and that the party responsible for the property failed to take reasonable action.
Common Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability can involve many types of preventable accidents.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents may happen when water, grease, food, merchandise, or other substances are left on a walking surface.
Common hazards include:
- Recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Spilled food or beverages
- Leaking refrigerators
- Rainwater near entrances
- Loose carpeting
- Broken floor tiles
- Uneven pavement
- Cluttered aisles
- Poorly maintained stairs
Falls can cause fractures, head injuries, spinal damage, and permanent mobility limitations.
Visit our Houston Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer page to learn how Roxell Richards Law Firm investigates dangerous walking surfaces and property maintenance failures.
Trip and Fall Accidents
Trip-and-fall cases commonly involve raised sidewalks, potholes, cords, debris, torn carpeting, or unexpected changes in floor elevation.
A property owner may be responsible when the hazard existed long enough that it should have been discovered and repaired.
Negligent Security
Property owners may have a duty to provide reasonable security when criminal activity is foreseeable.
Negligent security cases may involve:
- Apartment complexes
- Hotels and motels
- Parking garages
- Shopping centers
- Bars and nightclubs
- Entertainment venues
- Office buildings
Potential safety failures may include broken locks, missing gates, poor lighting, malfunctioning cameras, or inadequate security personnel.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators require regular inspections and maintenance.
Injuries may occur because of:
- Sudden drops or stops
- Misaligned elevator floors
- Doors closing unexpectedly
- Broken escalator steps
- Missing safety guards
- Improper repairs
- Failure to conduct inspections
Liability may involve the property owner, management company, maintenance contractor, inspection company, or equipment manufacturer.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Unsecured or poorly maintained swimming pools can create serious risks, particularly for children.
Dangerous conditions may include:
- Missing or broken fencing
- Unlocked gates
- Inadequate supervision
- Missing depth markers
- Defective drains
- Slippery pool decks
- Lack of lifesaving equipment
- Unsafe diving areas
Falling Merchandise and Objects
Retailers must properly stack, display, and secure products.
Heavy objects falling from shelves can cause brain injuries, neck injuries, fractures, and other serious harm.
Fires and Electrical Hazards
Property owners may be responsible for injuries caused by exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, defective smoke detectors, blocked exits, or violations of fire safety regulations.
Dog Attacks and Animal Injuries
Property-related injury claims may also arise when a dangerous dog or another animal attacks a lawful visitor.
Owners, landlords, property managers, or other responsible parties may be liable depending on who controlled the animal and what they knew about the risk.
Visit our Houston Dog Bite Injury Lawyer page to learn more about reporting an attack, preserving evidence, and pursuing compensation.
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen?
Unsafe property conditions can exist almost anywhere.
Common locations include:
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Bars and nightclubs
- Hotels
- Apartment buildings
- Rental homes
- Office buildings
- Parking lots and garages
- Schools and daycare centers
- Hospitals and nursing homes
- Construction areas
- Warehouses
- Amusement parks
- Swimming pools
- Public buildings
- Private residences
The location of the accident can affect who may be held responsible and what legal requirements apply.
Claims involving government-owned property may also have shorter notice deadlines and special procedural rules.
Who May Be Responsible for an Unsafe Property?
More than one party may be responsible for maintaining a property.
Potential defendants include:
Property Owners
An owner may be responsible for failing to inspect, repair, or warn visitors about dangerous conditions.
Business Operators
A company leasing or operating a property may control daily maintenance and customer safety.
Landlords
Landlords may be responsible for unsafe common areas, broken security systems, defective stairs, or hazards they were required to repair.
Property Management Companies
A management company may be liable when it fails to respond to complaints, schedule inspections, or arrange necessary repairs.
Maintenance and Cleaning Contractors
A third-party contractor may create a hazard or fail to perform required maintenance properly.
Security Companies
A security provider may share liability when inadequate staffing, improper monitoring, or other failures contribute to foreseeable harm.
Product Manufacturers
When a defective elevator, escalator, appliance, railing, or other product causes an injury, the manufacturer may also be responsible.
Determining who controlled the area where the accident occurred is a critical part of a premises liability investigation.
What Must Be Proven in a Premises Liability Claim?
The specific legal requirements depend on the injured person’s status on the property and the circumstances of the accident.
A successful claim generally requires evidence showing:
- The defendant owned, occupied, managed, or controlled the property.
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The defendant knew or reasonably should have known about the condition.
- The defendant failed to correct the condition or provide an adequate warning.
- The unsafe condition caused the injury.
- The injured person suffered measurable damages.
The property owner may argue that it had no notice of the hazard or that the condition was open and obvious.
Evidence showing how long the hazard existed can be particularly important.
Evidence That May Strengthen Your Claim
Useful premises- liability evidence may include:
- Photographs and videos of the hazard
- Surveillance recordings
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Inspection records
- Cleaning schedules
- Maintenance logs
- Employee communications
- Prior customer complaints
- Previous accident reports
- Building code records
- Weather reports
- Medical records
- Expert opinions
- Damaged clothing or personal property
Surveillance recordings may be automatically deleted within days or weeks. An attorney may send a formal preservation request instructing the property owner not to destroy relevant evidence.
Common Injuries Caused by Unsafe Properties
Premises accidents may result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Torn muscles and ligaments
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Burns
- Electrical injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Infections
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage may become more noticeable hours or days later.
What Should You Do After a Premises Liability Accident?
1. Seek Medical Treatment
Have your injuries evaluated as soon as possible, even when symptoms initially seem manageable.
Medical records can document the nature of the injury and connect it to the accident.
2. Report the Accident
Notify the owner, manager, landlord, security officer, or another responsible representative.
Request a written incident report and ask for a copy.
3. Photograph the Hazard
Take clear photos and videos before the dangerous condition is repaired, cleaned, or removed.
Document:
- The condition that caused the accident
- The surrounding area
- Lighting conditions
- Warning signs or the absence of warnings
- Visible injuries
- Damaged clothing or belongings
4. Identify Witnesses
Collect names, telephone numbers, and email addresses from anyone who witnessed the accident or saw the hazard beforehand.
5. Preserve Physical Evidence
Keep your shoes, damaged clothing, broken personal property, receipts, medical documents, and other relevant materials.
6. Avoid Recorded Insurance Statements
An insurance adjuster may ask you to describe the accident before the investigation is complete.
Statements can be used to challenge liability or minimize your injuries.
7. Limit Social Media Activity
Do not post photographs, location check-ins, or comments about the accident, your injuries, or your activities.
8. Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer
A lawyer can preserve surveillance footage, request maintenance records, investigate previous complaints, and communicate with insurance companies.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
The compensation available depends on the severity of the injury, the strength of the evidence, and the long-term effect on the victim.
Medical Expenses
A claim may include compensation for:
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Diagnostic testing
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical equipment
- Future treatment
Lost Wages
Victims may recover income lost while receiving treatment or recovering from their injuries.
Reduced Earning Capacity
A permanent injury may prevent someone from returning to the same job, working the same number of hours, or earning the same income.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation may be available for physical pain, discomfort, and the overall disruption caused by the injury.
Emotional Distress
Premises accidents may lead to anxiety, depression, fear, post-traumatic stress, and sleep difficulties.
Disfigurement and Disability
Severe falls, dog attacks, burns, and other accidents can cause permanent scars or functional limitations.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An injury may prevent a person from participating in hobbies, exercise, travel, family activities, or other parts of daily life.
Wrongful Death Damages
When an unsafe property condition causes a death, qualifying family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
No attorney can guarantee a specific result. The value of a claim depends on the available evidence, insurance coverage, medical prognosis, and applicable law.
Speak With a Houston Premises Liability Lawyer Today
A dangerous property condition can cause serious injuries, expensive medical treatment, missed work, and permanent changes to your daily life.
Property owners and insurance companies may move quickly to repair hazards, erase recordings, and dispute responsibility. You deserve a legal team that can act promptly and protect your interests.
Roxell Richards Law Firm can investigate the property, preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation for your accident-related losses.
Contact Roxell Richards Law Firm today for a free case review.
Texas Office: 6420 Richmond Avenue,
Suite 135, Houston, TX 77057
Texas Office: (713) 974-0388
Text: (832) 480-7413
No attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered.
Attorney Roxell Richards
This Houston Personal Injury service page is provided by Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families who have been harmed by the negligence of others. The firm represents clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including vehicle accidents, premises liability claims, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, defective products, workplace injuries, and other serious injury cases throughout Texas.
Led by attorney Roxell Richards, the firm brings more than 20 years of experience advocating for injury victims and their families. Over the years, Roxell Richards has handled cases involving catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, unsafe property conditions, insurance coverage disputes, and wrongful death claims. The firm’s approach centers on providing personalized attention, honest guidance, and strong legal representation tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.
At Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, clients are more than case numbers. The firm is committed to helping injured individuals understand their rights, make informed decisions, and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to under Texas law.
The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Every injury case is different. Individuals seeking legal advice regarding a personal injury or premises liability matter should consult with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney.
I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to my case. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about your well-being and delivers results, I highly recommend Roxell Richards Law Firm.
Thank you,
Dr. Leana Jefferson
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