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Greenway Plaza and Upper Kirby are among Houston’s most vibrant areas, home to major corporate offices, luxury apartments, and popular retail destinations. While these neighborhoods are generally well-maintained, property owners and managers still have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. When they fail to address hazards, innocent people can suffer life-altering injuries.
If you have been hurt on someone else’s property, speaking with a Houston Premises Liability Lawyer is the first step toward protecting your future. At Nguyen & Associates, we help residents and visitors in the Greenway / Upper Kirby area hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries
Premises liability covers a wide range of accidents that occur due to unsafe property conditions. In the Greenway / Upper Kirby area, these incidents often happen in parking garages, shopping centers, office buildings, or apartment complexes. Common causes include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors or spilled liquids.
- Trip and fall incidents due to uneven pavement or poorly maintained walkways.
- Inadequate security leading to assaults or robberies in common areas.
- Poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots.
- Malfunctioning elevators or escalators.
- Falling objects in retail stores or construction zones.
Common Injuries Sustained
The impact of a fall or an accident can range from minor bruising to catastrophic trauma. We frequently see clients suffering from broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and severe soft tissue injuries that require long-term rehabilitation.
What to Do After an Injury in Greenway / Upper Kirby
The steps you take immediately following an accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation later. If you are injured, follow these steps:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Documentation of your injuries is also vital for your legal claim.
- Report the Incident: Notify the property owner, manager, or security office. Ensure they create an official incident report and request a copy.
- Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the hazard that caused your injury (e.g., the spill, the broken step, or the lack of lighting).
- Identify Witnesses: Collect contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
- Avoid Detailed Statements: Do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters until you have spoken with an attorney.
Understanding Fault and Liability in Texas
In Texas, property owners owe a duty of care to those who enter their land. However, the level of care depends on why you were on the property. Most visitors to businesses in Upper Kirby are considered ‘invitees,’ meaning the owner must regularly inspect the property and fix or warn of known dangers.
To win a premises liability case, we generally must prove that the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, failed to fix it or warn you about it, and that this failure directly caused your injury.
Damages You May Recover
While every case is unique, victims of negligence may be entitled to various forms of compensation. These general categories of damages include:
- Medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, medication).
- Future medical costs for ongoing care or physical therapy.
- Lost wages if you are unable to work during recovery.
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries result in a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress.
The Legal Process and Timeline
The timeline for a premises liability claim varies based on the complexity of the case and the severity of the injuries. The process typically begins with a thorough investigation, where we gather evidence like surveillance footage and maintenance logs. We then enter negotiations with the insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take the case to court to seek the justice you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible if I fall at a Greenway Plaza office building?
Responsibility may lie with the property owner, the property management company, or even a third-party maintenance contractor, depending on who was responsible for the specific hazard that caused your fall.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Texas follows a ‘proportionate responsibility’ rule. You can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the incident, though your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a claim in Houston?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date of the accident. It is critical to act quickly to preserve evidence.
Contact a Greenway / Upper Kirby Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you have been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you do not have to face the recovery process alone. Our team is dedicated to helping the Greenway / Upper Kirby community navigate the complexities of premises liability law. We offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options.
Call us now at (713) 747-7777 or visit our contact page to schedule your free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.