If you're reading this, chances are you or someone you love has suffered an injury because a property owner or manager in Billings was careless. Perhaps it was an unexpected slip on an unmarked wet floor while shopping at Rimrock Mall, a painful trip over a broken sidewalk during a stroll near Pioneer Park, or a fall on an icy, untreated pathway outside a local business. These incidents may be more than just unfortunate accidents; they could be grounds for a premises liability claim.
When a property owner's negligence leads to your injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of medical bills, lost income, and pain alone. A dedicated premises liability attorney in Billings from Rimrock Law is here to listen, to understand, and to help you navigate the path to recovery and justice. We invite you to reach out to us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.
Our dedicated injury lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and options, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Why Choose Rimrock Law for Your Billings, MT Premises Liability Claim?
Choosing the right legal representation is a critical step towards protecting your rights and securing the compensation for you. At Rimrock Law, we understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to offer the steadfast support and experienced legal guidance you need.
Here’s why so many Montanans trust Rimrock Law with their premises liability claims:
- Deep Montana Roots and Local Knowledge: We aren’t just lawyers; we are Montana’s injury lawyers. Based right here in Billings, we have an intimate understanding of our community, our state laws, and how Montana’s legal system works. We’ve handled hundreds of personal injury cases statewide, including numerous premises liability claims. This local knowledge is invaluable when investigating your accident and building a strong case.
- Proven Track Record of Success: Our results speak for themselves. The attorneys at Rimrock Law have recovered over $100 million in damages for our clients across various personal injury and workers' compensation cases. This isn't just a number; it represents lives we've helped rebuild and futures we've helped secure. We aren’t afraid to take on big insurance companies or deep-pocketed defendants.
- Compassionate and Dedicated Advocates: We know that behind every case is a person, a family, whose life has been disrupted. We treat our clients with the compassion, respect, and personalized attention they deserve. You’re not just a case file to us; you’re a member of our community, and we’re committed to helping.
- No Upfront Fees: We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay us any attorney fees unless we win your case and recover compensation for you. This allows you to access experienced legal representation from a skilled Billings premises liability attorney without any added financial stress.
Choosing Rimrock Law means choosing a team that is reliable, trusted, and relentlessly dedicated to getting you the best possible results. We aim to set the bar above the rest, providing you with peace of mind knowing your claim is in capable hands.
What is Premises Liability?
In simple terms, premises liability law is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe or hazardous conditions. The core principle is that those who own or control property have a legal "duty of care" to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for people who are lawfully present.
This duty of care means property owners must take reasonable steps to:
- Identify and repair dangerous conditions.
- Adequately warn visitors about known hazards that cannot be immediately fixed.
- Regularly inspect their property to discover potential dangers.
The extent of this duty can sometimes vary depending on the status of the visitor (an invitee, like a customer in a store; a licensee, like a social guest; or, in limited circumstances, even a trespasser, particularly if they are a child). However, the general expectation under Montana law is that property owners will not be negligent in maintaining their property.
If a property owner fails to meet this duty of care, for example, by not cleaning up a spill, failing to repair a broken handrail, or not providing adequate lighting in a dark stairwell, and someone gets hurt as a direct result, the owner can be held legally responsible for the victim's injuries and associated losses. This failure to uphold the duty of care is known as negligence.
An experienced premises liability lawyer can carefully evaluate the specifics of your accident, explain how Montana premises liability law applies to your situation, and help you understand your legal options.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Premises liability can encompass a wide range of accidents and incidents. At Rimrock Law, our experienced premises liability attorneys in Billings have seen firsthand the devastating impact these injuries can have, and we are equipped to handle a variety of complex cases.
Here are some of the common types of premises liability cases we frequently manage:
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Trip and Fall Accidents
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
- Negligent Security
- Swimming Pool Accidents
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents
- Falling Objects
- Inadequate Maintenance or Building Code Violations
- Poor Lighting
No matter how your injury occurred on someone else's property, if it was due to a preventable hazard, you shouldn't have to suffer in silence. Our lawyers understand the nuances of these cases and are committed to helping you recover.
Do I Have a Premises Liability Case?
After suffering an injury on someone else's property, it’s natural to wonder if you have a valid legal claim. While every situation is unique, there are several key elements that generally must be established to prove a successful premises liability case in Montana.
To have a viable case, you typically need to demonstrate the following:
- A Duty of Care Was Owed: The property owner or party in control of the premises (the defendant) must have owed you a legal duty to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition or to warn you of non-obvious dangers. In Montana, property owners generally owe this duty to people who are lawfully on their property, such as customers, guests, or tenants.
- The Duty of Care Was Breached (Negligence): You must show that the defendant failed to meet this duty of care. This means they were negligent. Negligence can occur if the property owner:
- Created the dangerous condition.
- Knew about the dangerous condition but did nothing to correct it or warn visitors.
- Should have reasonably known about the dangerous condition through regular inspection and maintenance but failed to discover and address it. For example, if a spill was on a grocery store floor for an unreasonable amount of time without being cleaned up.
- Causation: The breach of duty (the property owner's negligence) must have been a direct and proximate cause of your injuries. In other words, your accident and resulting injuries wouldn't have happened but for the dangerous condition on the property.
- Damages: You must have suffered actual harm or losses as a result of the accident. This can include physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other related costs. Without demonstrable damages, there is generally no basis for a claim.
Proving these elements often requires gathering evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, photographs of the scene and your injuries, medical records, and sometimes expert testimony. This is where the skill of an experienced Billings premises liability lawyer becomes invaluable.
Compensation Available in a Premises Liability Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured due to a property owner's negligence in Billings, you’re likely facing a host of unexpected challenges, including significant financial burdens. A successful premises liability lawsuit can help you recover compensation for the various losses and hardships you’ve endured. The goal of this compensation, often referred to as "damages," is to make you whole again, as much as money can, for the harm you've suffered.
The specific types and amounts of compensation available will depend on the unique facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the extent of your losses. Under Montana law, you may be entitled to recover for:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all past, current, and future medical bills related to your injury. This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medical devices, and any ongoing care you may require.
- Lost Income: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can claim compensation for the income you lost during your recovery period.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries are severe and result in a long-term or permanent disability that affects your ability to earn a living in the future, you can seek damages for this diminished earning potential.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This can include costs for things like transportation to medical appointments or necessary home modifications.
- Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional anguish you have experienced due to your injuries.
- Emotional Distress: This can cover psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, fear, PTSD, or sleep disturbances resulting from the traumatic event and its aftermath.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation may be awarded for permanent scars, disfigurement, or physical impairments caused by the injury.
- Loss of Consortium: In some cases, if the injuries are severe, the uninjured spouse may be able to claim damages for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.
The experienced Billings premises liability lawyers at Rimrock Law understand how to meticulously document all your damages, including working with medical and financial experts when necessary, to build a comprehensive claim.
Billings Premises Liability FAQs
When you’ve been injured on someone else's property, you understandably have many questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions our premises liability lawyers often hear.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Montana?
In Montana, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, for most premises liability cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, if your claim is against a government entity, the deadline can be much shorter, and there are specific notice requirements. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to seek compensation forever. It’s crucial to consult with a lawyer promptly to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident on the property? Can I still recover compensation?
Yes, Montana follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your accident, as long as your percentage of fault is not greater than the defendant’s (or defendants’ combined) fault. However, any compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your damage award would be reduced by 20%. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the victim, so it’s vital to have a lawyer who can protect your interests.
Do I need a lawyer if the property owner's insurance company offers me a quick settlement?
It is highly advisable to speak with a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, and their primary goal is to minimize payouts. An early offer may seem appealing, but it often doesn’t fully account for the long-term costs of your injuries, future medical needs, or full pain and suffering.
A premises liability attorney from Rimrock Law can evaluate the true value of your claim and negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all your losses, or take your case to trial if necessary.
Contact Our Trusted Billings Premises Liability Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property in Billings or anywhere in Montana, please know that you are not alone, and help is available. The compassionate and experienced team at Rimrock Law is here to stand by your side.
As "Montana's Injury Lawyers," we are deeply committed to ensuring that negligent property owners are held accountable and that you receive the full and fair compensation. We understand the complexities of premises liability law in Montana, and we have a proven history of getting results for our clients. Remember, "For Us, It's Personal." While you focus on your recovery, we will focus on diligently investigating your case, building a strong claim, and fighting for your rights every step of the way.
Don’t let uncertainty or fear prevent you from seeking justice. Contact Billings accident injury lawyers at Rimrock Law today, call at (406) 606-1650 or through our online form for a free case evaluation. Let us listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can advocate for you.